It would be a really great help, if someone could take a year or two of their time, and put a load of "Frequently Asked Questions", along with their answers, in the "Frequently Asked Questions" section. This would save soooo much time, and help immensely right across the board. I would offer to do it myself, but being in my late sixties, I feel I don't really have that sort of time to spare. But if anyone likes a challenge, then they will have my full support. Gray
Local suppliers, to cut down on shipping charges. I know in my situation that every nickle saved on shipping can be better utilized elsewhere.
Electronics, and noise avoidance specifically. I know there are a billion configurations but perhaps a Fritzing diagram for each build (optional of course)?
shipping charges on very small orders. Sometimes I need just a couple small items that could be put in first class mail. sometimes the cost is just a couple bucks and I hate paying a lot more for shipping than the cost of the item, However I know the more shipping options you offer can create a boondoggle in the shipping department.
The biggest improvement in the store would come from vastly expanding the documentation of what the parts are for and how they work together. A lot of the information is there implicitly but it is often not obvious or buried in videos about other topics. For example, at a very basic level, I know from experience what an eccentric spacer is for and how to use it. I've bought, assembled, and used a number of your machine bundles, linear motion bundles, and plate bundles. But suppose that I didn't have that experience and I clicked through to this link: Eccentric Spacer The hints that are in the page are that it is used for something called 'pre-loading' and that it is somehow used with V-Slot rails and V-Wheels. So as somebody new to the site and new to the whole idea of using V-Slot, I could use a link to an article explaining the overall idea of pre-loading and how this relates to the various pieces (eccentric spacers, non-eccentric spacers, wheels, etc.). And it would also be great to have a discussion of why you might choose 1/4" vs 6mm eccentric spacers (it doesn't really matter but you need to make sure that the eccentric and non-eccentric spacers are the same). Even links to what bundles it is part of would give important clues about what this part is and why I might need it. And it would be incredible to have documentation giving official answers to perennial questions about eccentric spacers (like how big to make the holes and how far apart holes should be for custom plates). This is even more important for the electronics stuff. Which motor should be used with which driver? Which power supply goes with which driver? This page, for example, says that the driver board is compatible with two different controllers which is good. But it doesn't say which motors it will work with or what power supply to use. Or how to wire it up. Or how many you would likely need for a typical build. Etc. DQ542MA Stepper Motor Driver I suppose this goes along with @GrayUK's points about how nice it would be to have a massive FAQ. All of this documentation would take time (and money to pay people to take the time). So I understand why it is hard to make sure it is there. But I'd bet that the power of that documentation would strengthen both the community (who would have standard references for known configurations) and sales (because people would better understand why they want a particular part). -D
As someone who is still quite new at DIY CNCing,I will have to 2nd Johnathan's comments. starting out I had very few problems with the mechanical aspects. My biggest problem was starting out with software. I was able to grasp Gcode and was actually able to write gcode files for basic operations long before I was able to get a grip on CAD and CAM. The amount of differing file types was mind boggling. importing and exporting file types was a nightmare. And of course tracking down the free and lo cost software was a little time consuming.I am thinking about writing a primer for a beginner from the viewpoint of a beginner. It is very difficult for one that has a great amount of experience to get down on a beginner's level. But after saying that I will say this, when I become ruler of the world I plan on eliminating many file types.
The only area I could have used help with was setting up the electronics. Specifically the microstepping on the Xpro V3. Although I found the info online, I had to do some searching for it on a different website.
Aye and I'm a software programmer. Software should come easy for me. My biggest problem was know exactly what to do after I built my OX, to make sure it all works as it should. How do I make a test cut and measure the dimensions? How do I start and stop the spindle with gcode? What are some good gocde programs? Etc.
I apologize, but I couldn't tell if you had these questions in the past, or actually are asking them now. So, if you or anyone still has these questions, I have attempted to help out. If you no longer need the info, then feel free to ignore the following: Have you read the GRBL Wiki? It is a great resource. I highly recommend everyone read it and refer to it often. Home · gnea/grbl Wiki · GitHub For spindle on/off, that is usually done in your CAM software where you create the gcode for your project. I use Sketchucam, with Sketchup drawings and the CAM that is included with Fusion 360. Sketchucam has a great series of video tutorials sketchucam - YouTube. Recently, I have been trying Estlcam.de 2D / 3D CAM Software und CNC Steuerung.... It has cool features and great video tutorials. If you are concerned about damaging cutters, buy some cheap foam to practice. Or, do like I did and zip tie on a ultra-fine point sharpie marker and made my machine draw circles and squares. These are very easy to measure for accuracy. Then calibrate your machine with a bit and a ruler.
Hi Craig. Do you think, if it isn't already there, you could put a copy of this video into the "Useful Tools" area. Just so it doesn't get lost Cheers Gray
About GRBL sir, I have seen many tutorials on how to use GRBL. I saw someone using XLoader to upload hex files into Arduino. and some do not, i mean directly using the existing tools in arduino. what is the real difference between the two ways sir?
Xloader is just a simpler frontend wrapped around avrdude (the executable that writes the firmware). The Arduino IDE is also a wrapper for avrdude, with added features like an editor, compiler etc. For "just uploading" there is no difference, picking xloader is just a little easier. However if you need a config that entails editing the source code, recompiling, and then uploading, you need Arduino (So for most of us, we don't)
New to CNC, and just building the first machine, WorkBee 1510. Because of the noise factor in a tiny workshop, we’re interested in using a spindle rather than a router. Is there anyone with experience of that here, for discussion of options and alteration to the build?
I use the 'quiet cut' spindle which is 300 watts and is ideal for the plastic and plywood cutting I do. I don't think you can get this spindle through OpenBuilds, but I got mine from Inventables and there are other places that sell essentially the same thing. Quiet Cut Spindle The aluminum mount they sell can easily be attached to a 20x40 piece of OpenBuilds V-Slot which is why I do (the screw holes are a multiple of 20mm apart in one way but not the other). DC Spindle Mounting Block (Not designed for Shapeoko or X-Carve) And there is a power supply and DC power supply that you can get with it. Whether it is worthwhile or not is something of an open question. It is definitely quieter than the DeWalt router I had used before. But since I need to run dust collection to keep things sane, the vacuum is now the loudest thing. And the vacuum isn't much quieter than the router was. But another side benefit of the spindle is that you can adjust the speed which is super-important if you want to cut plastic without metling it.
Welcome, Mike. A great deal does depend on what you plan to cut. The Chinese Spindle, as they are refered to, especially the water-cooled type is very quiet. It is true that your vacuum is going to make more noise than the spindle. However, it is then the material you are cutting that generates a lot of noise as well. Let us know what you are planning on using your CNC for and we can give you more targeted information. Gray
New here, and haven't started a build yet. No CNC experience but loved the assembly videos. I've watched most of the Sphinx and Workbee videos (mechanical and electrical). Would love to see some videos on how to configure and calibrate and actual cutting/usage videos.
If you are new to the CNC game and want a leg up on how it all works, thoroughly read the grbl wiki. It goes into great detail about how everything is configured and gcode. There are some cutting videos in the projects section. I have filmed a couple projects, but I have not got around to completing them yet. One was me trying to figure out how to mill PCBs with my CNC that is way larger than need be for milling PCBs. Spoiler: I had to add about an inch and a half thick spoil board piece since the endmills were so short. I did it so I can finally add limit switches and to play around with the probing function in Estlcam (great cnc videos on the youtube page associated with Estlcam). It is the PCB for the limit switches from here: gnea/grbl
Also be sure to check out the new wiring videos that are being released they also go into the settings of the machines and the OpenBuilds CONTROL software a bit as well. More to come...
@Giarc I wish somebody would sell that board. Currently, I've got a cobbled together breadboard setup for my limit switches which works for now but doesn't seem like the long term solution. And I don't have the time or inclination to order a pcb and solder everything together myself.
Through hole: Limit Switch Isolator - Through Hole Version [LSI_THT_] - $4.95 : The Eccentric Workshop Store Surface mount: Limit Switch Isolator - Surface Mount Version [LSI_SMD_] - $2.88 : The Eccentric Workshop Store (If you want it pre-assembled, the latter is a better option.) Edit: Oops, just noticed 0 stock on the latter.
