Planning to build a 750x1000 Workbee for milling wood (timber/ply/MDF etc), perhaps some aluminium (eg instrument panels) and maybe later on laser cutting/engraving. I'm weighing up buying a full kit from Ooznest - it seems good - and DIYing some stuff; partly to save some money (the full kit is a bit over my budget) and partly to be able to mix/match components, and learn a bit more by doing so. I'm very new to this so I just want to be clear that I know what I'd need to build the machine. It seems to be: Mechanicals - extrusions, plates, wheels etc - there seem some kits available from Aliexpress Stepper motors - what dictates what strength/torque required? The standard kits has 175oz, is that enough? Power supply - also seems a generic part, easy to find Drag cage, cables, limit switches - seems straightfoward Controller- what are the options? The Ooznest kit uses the Duet, I am quite keen on the idea of it being networked/standalone with a web interface Does that cover the main parts? Am I missing anything I'd need?
I cant answer all your questions, but I'm happy I replaced my wheels on my 1500 x 1000 with linear rails. They are a pain Not sure how much the wheels, bearings, shims, eccentric spacers and screws are, but I have a feeling that its probably similar in price. Check out this thread: 1510 Workbee Modified
I am using the Mesa Electronics 5i25, the Geckodrive G540, Machinekit ( a branch of LinuxCNC) and Debian Stretch for control. Recent Debian updates have thrown a monkey wrench although I resisted updating. I will probably migrate back to the latest version of LinuxCNC when I update Debian. I have the 1510 mechanical kit from Ooznest. In the latest version of LinuxCNC, PncConf works to setup the .ini and .hal input files, but you may need to do some minor editing. Definitely not the case in earlier versions. I am using a 48V unregulated power supply for the G540 and stepper motors. The G540 is limited to 50V and 3.5A steppers. It has a native 10X microstepping. It is smooth and much quieter than the PSU and G54- cooling fans in operation.
I have the workbee 1010 leadscrew from Ooznest with the Duet controller. Stepper motors are powerful enough - accidentally ripped an 18mm mdf spoiler board apart by colliding with a clamp! Duet controller - pluses and minuses. Rep-rap firmware rather than grbl - similar but minor differences, especially in the way Ooznest implement it. Less setting-up and configuring than grbl controllers because Ooznest have done most of it for you. Have a look through the builds - there are a couple using the Duet controller - eg The BEE and ME Workbee with Duet controller Alex. PS - personal opinion - I'd go with the ethernet version rather than WiFi.
PPS: the support you will get from Ooznest if something did go wrong is second to none. They use genuine Openbuilds parts and work to very high standards/precision. Aliexpress is a bit more of an unknown in terms of genuine parts, and support??? Alex. (I'm a volunteer moderator at openbuilds - I don't work for them or Ooznest)
