I have built and designed many, many things... mostly with wood and a large collection of power tools. I have never built anything with motors and electronics, so this is a brand new adventure. I have just acquired a gluttony of stepper motors, servo motors, dc gear motors, gears, belts, pulleys, power supplies, pcb’s, drivers, and various electrical parts. I would like to use this bounty to build a 3D printer, a CNC router, and hopefully more. Is there anyone who can offer suggestions on where I might learn more about using salvaged parts to create my projects?
There is only one answer to such a question and that answer would be "Google". And no, that was not intended to be a smartalec answer. Nor a response implying go away and bug someone else. Google is actually your best friend in such endeavors. No matter what you want to do, someone somewhere has already done it or something similar and they have likely posted how they did it online. Good luck with your projects. Keep us updated if you come up with something really cool.
Welcome Leah The other place, is HERE! If you have the time to read and read, and watch fellow CNC'ers videos, you will learn exactly what to do with that great gear you have gotten hold of. Don't be afraid to ask questions, but have a look around the site first, and see just what is available for you here. Your World of CNC is just beginning!! Good Luck Gray
If you do not know the specifics of your parts, Google the part numbers first to determine the torque rating, step angle, etc... if your motors. Then you can figure out which will work best for each machine.
Thanks for your reply. I have been doing hours of reading, and it is a VAST topic. I am probably too new to the topic to even ask the right questions. I am also a bit overwhelmed with the shear size of my inventory of more than 200 motors between steppers, dc gear motors, and servos, ranging In size from smaller than a tube of chapstick to larger than a gallon of milk. (I realize that these are not valid motor specs.) Majority of the steppers seem to have 1.8 degree step angle, but I am still reasearching torque, etc. I have read conflicting info about 4-wire/bipolar steppers, and lots of them fit that description. I was thinking about making a desktop machine initially using the smaller size NEMA 17, and saving the 23’s and 34’s for a second build.
Some people seem to think bipolar steppers are only good for door stops and paperweights. However, further research indicates that they are more efficient and allow for finer detail. It appears that the controllers are a little more expensive, and so perhaps they are used less often in diy builds? Or maybe more difficult to work with, requiring more advanced knowledge?
I read an instructable that said “... if it is 4-wire, throw it out. It is useless.” So I guess a more specific question from me is, can I use bipolar steppers to make a decent CNC machine?
Also, i have read tons on info on servo vs stepper motors for CNC. It is oddly a near passionate debate for some, with a great deal of supporters of both sides. Once again, I am not sure if the issue is cost and difficulty of servos vs steppers, or if it is more about the difference of what the machine is designed to do. Just to give me a narrower topic for research, is one better than the other for a first build?
I read an instructable that said “... if it is 4-wire, throw it out. It is useless.” So I guess a more specific question from me is, can I use bipolar steppers to make a decent CNC machine?
Having been a forum member for 4 1/2 years and having looked at nearly all of the 900+ builds listed on Builds Page, I don't recall anyone EVER using a unipolar stepper. And there are some pretty fine machines in the collection. Does that answer your question? As for the cost of controllers and drivers, depending on your power needs you can be up and running for less than $25. Not the best out there but for a desktop system running nema 17s or smaller 23s it is more than adequate and a great place to start. BTW, there's also nothing wrong with 4 wire steppers. (Not to mention, most drivers only accept 4 wires.)
