This is my first post here. I am impressed with the ingenious work all of you have put into your machines and wish everyone luck. There is one issue that I can't seem to find any information on and maybe someone has some guidance. I have a project where I need to cut flats on an existing ground stock shaft 3/8" diameter. the cut I need to make is 2 flats 180 degrees apart measuring .300 across flats sysmmetrical 1/8" long from the end of the shaft. Now, most of the machines I have seen on the sites are CNC cutting from a slab of material, not really precise. How do I create a DIY CNC that can precisely locate the edge of the stock and proceed to machine the flats. Of course I will make a fixture to hold the shaft and fixture it in a precise location relative to the framework. I guess I have answered my own question to some degree. I don't know g-code but I guess I should have a fixture that is 0,0,0 relative to the cutter and use g-code to make the cuts. If anyone has any insite into this problem I would love to hear from you. Also, any suggestions on type of machine to build would be appreciated. The type of work I would be doing would be very light cuts on cylindrial aluminum and soft steel. very shallow flats on small shafts no longer than 8 -10 inches. links to good g-code tutorials would help too. Thanks for any help
You need to build a very good, solid, jig. The jig will make the job feasible or not. The jig needs to have the very precise Zero designation mark, carried from your design to the jig, every-time! Again if this is absolutely right, the jig won't let you down. Likewise, you need to look at SketchUp, if you haven't yet, and consider this as your design program. Cheers Gray