I was thinking about a case mod inspired by the Nautilus and Cpt. Nemo as seen in the LXG. I was really taken by the scroll work and detail that reminded me of art nuvo (SP?) of the 20's and early 30's. (Like this:http://www.foxhome.com/lxg/html/gallery/popup1.html ) I was thinking that it would be best to to have it all in CAD and just have it milled. But then why not buy a small CNC machine myself and do all sort of cool stuff? Here's what I found:http://www.cartertools.com/mill.html Does anyone have any expirience with a CNC mill? one this size? From what I have read, it can handle mild metals--like copper. Want to guess where else my mind is wandering? Any feed back or ideas would be good, and I know about the price. $3000US seems like a lot, but some of us are older and have had the chance to aquire wealth in the time honoured system of having a job. (Enjoy your youth and poverty while it lasts, but learn to enjoy the Land Rover later)
Wow you would be willing to spend 800 bucks to try and make your own stuff. I think that is kinda steap but that is just cau;se im broke.
thanks Hey thanks for the link, every little bit helps make an informed decision! I am looking at something with a little more oommph then a dremel. but it helps to have another forum to harvest information from. I am glad that others have considered this too, my wife just shakes her head and pours me another scotch. This might actualy work. Does anyone recomend a nice and easy to use CAD program? Or do I need to plow though AutoCAD 2005?
yeah I try not to think of it that way, I'm investing in a possible small scale production line. Or at least, if it turns out, I'm able to make water blocks and engravings and not have to worry about charging people to make a profit. It's just for fun. After all the cats don't need tuition and I can't take it with me when I die!
Here are a couple of other good CNC hobby sites to research small / home made CNC machines. http://www.cnczone.com and http://www.desktopcnc.com/. Do a search in the forums for Kong's CNC work. Cheers
I have plans for an cnc machine with a dremel mounted on it. Have been collecting old printer parts. But it seams verry difficult, i would be happy if you could make a project log of your attempt. Even if you dont succeed at once, it would be instructive
What about regular mills? What would a small mill run? How about a mill only for X and Y cutting, no Z control or rotation? Or in that case, drill presses configurable to be used as a mill (with enough torque and what not)?
where did $800 come from? It's not actualy $800, It's $2,500! that includes 20 oz motors and a 1/4hp spindle. If it were $800 buck I would already be set up and running. Thanks for all the feed back, I saw Kong's stuff and was blown away. That's a slightly larger scale then I was looking for. I have started to work in autoCAD 2005, and it's coming along. I have both victorian scroll work and a water block started. Can you guys read *.dfx files if I post them?
I beleive $800 came from my link. That particular CNC router can be built for less than $500. That includes the cutter, lead screws, stepper motors and control board. CONS for the $500 rig: Its a dremel. Only good for wood/plastics/PCBs. And it can only be built with wood for that price. What I want to do is construct the plans using Aluminum. From my work, I have acquaintance with alum-fab people. Plus, my work is planning to purchase some mills and tables so I might be able to do most of it myself (after hours). Next, theres no reason I cant simply upgrade the steppers and put a heavy duty mill motor on it for metal cutting. The software doesnt care what motor you have. So its possible to make a heavier duty CNC machine for under a grand. I just wont be handling this kind of a project for at least 6 months.
hiyas... i don't know too much about these machines, i wish i did though. my dad just recently built this one- http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5596 i think he goes into pretty good detail in that thread about the materials he used to make it. good luck on yours!
How about this little one on EBAY http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=58254&item=3853341358&rd=1#ebayphotohosting And ooohhh! the nice one custom heat sinks anyone http://www.taigtools.com/cmill.html
that's the one That's the mill I was looking at. Sexy isn't it? I want to pet it and feed it and take it home. I think that custom heat sinks are just the beginning, I'm thinking custom bezels for the jeep, custom knobs for the stove, custom belt buckles. Big ones, with mule deer. But you get the idea, I'm sure.
This has got to be the most beautiful water block I have ever seen. I read the article translated by google here: http://www.devilmaster.org/ But I missed how he bonded the brass to the copper. Anyone know? Was it a epoxy of some sort? Or a braize (SP?)?
