Is anyone able to provide info on a complete CNC router kit? Specifically, I'd like one that either comes with all necessary components including electrical and control, or at least explicit instructions on which parts to buy. Preferably, the machine would use lead screws for motion, and not be belt driven. Thanks in advance!
C-Beam Machine XLarge Mechanical Bundle It lists what is included and what you need to buy extra based on your preferences. This one includes the same info on the page. C-Beam Machine Mechanical Bundle Other than these two, most affordable hobby type CNC machines I am aware of are belt driven.
I like the C-Beam XL Kit, but I don't have enough experience to determine which board/drivers to get. I've seen several posts from people who seem to be using the wrong drivers, power supply, a cheap board, or something of that nature. How do you determine which ones are suited for what purpose?
I like these due to the ample amperage and price. DQ542MA Stepper Motor Driver I bought a 36 volt power supply because originally I used the DRV8825 drivers and that was their max voltage. From what I have read, the 24 volt power supply sold at the OB Part Store is a good one. I used an Arduino board (a real Italian made one because it is only $10 more and then I know what I am getting) and I bought an Arduino screw shield like this https://www.amazon.com/Phantom-YoYo...76507273&sr=8-3&keywords=arduino+screw+shield to make it easier to hook everything up. Then I followed Kyo's directions to wire everything here: C-Beam cnc I downloaded GRBL Panel as my controller and I installed GRBL on the Arduino board as per the GRBL instructions on the Github site. GitHub - grbl/grbl: An open source, embedded, high performance g-code-parser and CNC milling controller written in optimized C that will run on a straight Arduino I think the hardest part of the whole process is figuring out GitHub. If you take your time and are careful, it will go together great. Lots of people on this forum ready and willing to help out. I have not wired in homing switches to the electronics box yet. That is because I have not decided on the final location for the electronics box yet, and I do not want to cut those shielded wires too short. On a side note, I do not like the all in one boards because if the chips are not removable and you fry one, you need a new board. I fried a driver last weekend due to a careless placement of a glass of beer. Apparently the drivers are not liquid-proof. Anyways, all I had to do was replace that one bad driver.
Thanks for the info, it is much appreciated. That's good that you only fried one driver with the spill. Perhaps milling some coasters would help with beer placement?
I'm happy to report that I have a C-Beam XL kit with motors on the way, along with four of the DQ542MA drivers and the 24V power supply =) Next, I'll need to order a controller board, and I'm not sure which one to get. An Arduino seems like a good choice (with my limited knowledge on the subject), but I looked over Kyo's C-Beam build and he was using a Raspberry Pi or Protoneer or something like that. This leads me to some other questions... What are the pros/cons of the different boards? What is a screw shield? In Kyo's wiring diagram, I only see directions for two drivers...plus there are other components required, correct? Is there a place with complete instructions?
