Super Easy 3D Printed Arduino CNC Drawing Machine | GRBL Plotter Elegoo

3D Print your own high quality Arduino based CNC drawing machine. Easy and budget friendly. Use it to draw on almost anything. I'll step you through how to build your own including all the files you need. 👇 More info below 👇
This project has a relatively low cost and can produce some very detailed drawings. I've used it to create t-shirts, cake decorations, drawings to colour in myself (and some it coloured in for me!). You could also use it to draw out scale drawings, wedding invitations, birthday and Christmas cards and anything else you can think of. :)
A second video covering uploading the code, creating drawings, and sending them to your machine is available here: • Part 2 - Super Easy 3D...
3D printing files: www.prusaprinters.org/prints/...
List of items used in this project and where to find them:
■ 8 x15 x 45mm Linear Bearing (x2): geni.us/LinearBearing45mm
■ 8 x 15 x 25mm Linear Bearing (x1): geni.us/LinearBearing25mm
■ 12v Nema 17 stepper motors (x2): geni.us/StepperMotor
■ GT2 Timing belt and pulleys: geni.us/TimingBelt5m
■ Micro servo (x1): geni.us/MicroServo
■ Elegoo Arduino Uno (x1): geni.us/ArduinoUno
■ Nuts, bolts and screws (See list below): geni.us/NutsAndBolts
■ Stepper drivers - TMC2208 (x2): geni.us/TMC2208
■ Contact switch (x2): geni.us/ContactSwitch
■ Arduino CNC Shield (x1): geni.us/ArduinoCNCShield
■ 30mm 5V Fan (x1): geni.us/30mm5vFan
■ 8mm Chromed Steel Rod (35cm x2 & 5.5cm x1): geni.us/8mmChromedSteelRod
■ 30cm long linear rail with block - MGN12H (x1): geni.us/LinearRail300mm
■ Electrical wire: geni.us/22AWGWire
■ 12v power supply - 2A or greater (x1): geni.us/12VPowerSupply2A
■ Barrel Connector - Female (x1): geni.us/FemalePowerBarrel
■ 6mm Idler Wheel - 3mm Bore (1): geni.us/6mmIdlerWheel3mmBore
■ Wooden panel to mount project at least 36x42cm (I used an Ikea ‘LÄMPLIG’ chopping board)
■ Sharpie Pens: geni.us/Sharpie
■ 3D Printer Filament: geni.us/3DJake
(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps to pay for the next project.)
Nuts, bolts and screws needed:
■ M5 x 25mm (x2)
■ M3 x 18 (x3)
■ M3 x 12 (x2)
■ M3 x10 (x3)
■ M3 x 6 (X14)
■ M3 nuts (x9)
■ M5 nut (x1)
■ Short wood screws (x8)
Support future projects, see DIY Machines' Amazon Wish List: www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/...
I use a Prusa MK3S for my projects and highly recommend both it and the Prusa Mini. If I inspired you to take up 3D printing please consider purchasing a printer via this link: shop.prusa3d.com/#a_aid=diymac...
Prusa support my channel when you use that link at no cost to yourself. :)
These are some of my favourite tools I use and can recommend:
■ Battery-powered glue gun: geni.us/BoschBatteryGlueGun
■ Bosch Bit Driver: geni.us/Bosch-Screwdriver
==========
The code, wiring diagrams, 3D printable parts etc can be downloaded for free from here:
www.diymachines.co.uk/arduino...
www.prusaprinters.org/prints/...
The drawings I created for use with my machine:
geni.us/EtsyCNCDrawingFiles
Inkscape 0.48.5 for Windows:
inkscape.org/release/inkscape...
==========
SAY THANKS:
Provide continual and dependable support through Patreon:
Support us on Patreon: / diymachines
Buy me a coffee to say thanks: ko-fi.com/diymachines
SUBSCRIBE:
■ / @diymachines
DISCORD server: / discord
INSTAGRAM: diy_machine...
FACEBOOK: / diymachines
==========
List of camera and lighting equipment I use:
Sony A7 III: geni.us/Sony-Alpha7-III
Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 RXD A036SF Lens for Sony-FE : geni.us/TamronRXD-28-75mm
Aputure Amaran HR672C: geni.us/AputureAmaranHR672C
Aputure MC: geni.us/FAPGL
RØDE VideoMic Pro+: geni.us/RodeVideoMic-ProPlus
Blue Snowball iCE: geni.us/BlueSnowball-iCE
Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus: geni.us/PhilipsHue-LightStrip
Disclaimer:
This video is shared for demonstration purposes only.

[@bobprince1472]

This video is a model of how to give a clear and comprehensive explanation of a technical task. Clear, comprehensive and concise.

[@DIYMachines]

Thank you for your kind words Bob, I am trying hard to make clear videos for popular projects. :)

[@Michelle-ep3mi]

Agreed. I'm a beginner and even that made me think I could actually do this. The instructions were so clear.

[@DIYMachines]

@@Michelle-ep3mi Thank you Michelle. :)

[@noreply370]

I agree on that.

[@PetterBruland]

Thank you for taking the time to produce your excellent videos. Perfect pace, clear voice, good explanations on how to do and what to expect. Thanks!

[@DIYMachines]

You're welcome. Thanks for the comment. :)

[@ecmphg]

what he said

[@aronkerr]

Thank you for making this. My daughters and I are working through this over summer break as a fun intro on 3D printing, programming, and electronics. All your tutorials are fun and a perfect size to tackle with kids.

[@sapitron]

did you complete the construction? is the build operational?

[@tristanreid]

The level of care to detail is so amazingly high in this video - WOW. I appreciate the helpful tips to help you ensure everything has worked correctly, such as the troubleshooting steps for the belts, and the continuity test of the contact switches. This is particularly remarkable because it the most complicated build that I have ever seen that is made so accessible to an absolute beginner. If you have access to a few basic tools (glue gun, screwdriver, soldering iron, multimeter), you can make this.

[@DIYMachines]

Thanks for the kind words Tristan, I worked hard to make it all as clear as possible.

[@TeslaDIY]

This looks like a fun project, yet very intensive, but your step by step is very clear as usual, making it easy to follow

[@rusticagenerica]

It's really beautiful how you did the beautiful circular traveling to show the items. Also, I love your decoration, in orange. And last but not least, your 3D printing videos are SO NICELY put together. Well done to you !

[@codewithlenny]

This explanation was by far, the best I watched and listened to. Thank you so much for the extra effort you put in the camera angles, etc. to ensure we could see everything. I have always been fascinated by CNC machines, I can't wait to finally build one! I have also immediately liked the video and subscribed to your channel.

[@DIYMachines]

Thank you LennyLen. :) I'm glad you appreciated the effort.

[@Glacialsss]

Same

[@ndnplaya1222]

Can this be converted to be a 3D printer as well?

[@waynechenery707]

Hi Lewis I really like on how easy your plotter is to setup etc I’m just wondering have you ever considered adding a extra piece so a laser module could be also added ?

[@manofsan]

​ @DIY Machines - hi, if you can make a plotter like that, then could you also make a CNC tape-laying machine for making carbon fiber parts out of carbon fiber tape? See this company's approach to doing it with a desktop machine: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4bcpJ6uhcRshLc (see 19:00 in video, for some details).

[@clarkso65]

This is how you tube must be!!! Concise, straight to the point tutorial. Thanks for this amazing tutorial :))

[@DIYMachines]

You're very welcome, thanks for watching. :)

[@bikefarmtaiwan1800]

What a great channel- engaging educational and fun! Hard to make such a splash in an environment filled with talented contributors. Well done !

[@DIYMachines]

Thank you for the kind words Bikefarm. :)

[@rensvanbreukelen3762]

I don't know why, but watching this video just put a big smile on my face. This is 100x better than any Bob Ross video!

[@DIYMachines]

Haha, thanks. :). I tried to follow a Bob Ross painting once - I have destroyed any evidence that I tried, it did not go well for me. :/

[@OgbondSandvol]

What a calm and instructive video! Louis presents the video sitted in a sofa in a clean and wide room; although he show some parts and tools in real time, most of the real images from the project were taken before and are voice-overed, so, he doesn't talk at the same time he build the parts. The quality of the images is superb, and the images have no distracting "garbage" in background. The video from the building parts is accelerated or slowed, the camera angles changed, according with the complexity of the subject. Very good!

[@DIYMachines]

Thank you for the compliments, I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@kentklapstein9879]

Excellent! Great video work, great instruction! I haven’t seen this technique of securing the belt before.

[@ClownWhisper]

This is exactly how all engineering should be its simplistic perfection. This is unbelievably streamline robotics at its finest.

[@DIYMachines]

Thank you, that's very kind to say as such. 😊

[@brendonhodder4812]

Another awesome project, can't wait to get started on this one. Keep up the good work!

[@DIYMachines]

Brendon Hodder Thanks. :)

[@handsomebeast4040]

Wow what a nice project very clean and perfect i have watched 100+ videos about cnc plotter but this one is my best

[@DIYMachines]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@gianpietrovairo3557]

Great and beautiful job!

[@worldupdates9742]

This the better one explanation that i ever seened

[@Ed19601]

Great project. I saw another pen plotter on youtube that could actually automatically change colors, nifty, but the X-axis (or the Y axis, depending how you look at it) was just a bit unstable and was begging to be supported. In your design, the free hanging axis seems much sturdier and stable

[@hc5271]

just bought and assembled all the hardware and electronics components and waiting for the follow up video this is the best diy drawing machine tutorial on the internet.

[@DIYMachines]

Thank you. I' should have the second part video completed and uploaded this weekend. I'd love to see a photo of yours when complete - it might be the first one built other than mine. :)

[@hc5271]

@@DIYMachines ha ha ha sure but it doesn't looks as pretty as yours does

[@DIYMachines]

@@hc5271 Just a couple more days and the video will be complete.Thanks for the patience.

[@DIYMachines]

@@hc5271 Here is part 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqTGfH9-r5xqgsk

[@farlandercd]

How much did the whole thing cost ya?

[@wojwoj06]

Fantastic delivery, fun idea, top notch quality.

[@DIYMachines]

Much appreciated! Thanks.

[@xxx-xp1cq]

You explained it well and in great detail.

[@jeanraines3215]

The best construction video I have seen all parts are listed and given with supplier the assembly is easy to follow as explained and demonstrated

[@DIYMachines]

Thank you Jean for the recommendation. :)

[@NicJon]

I just ordered all tools for that printer from amazon and i am just printing the 3D Parts! Great Tutorial! So underrated! Didn't find such a great video in a long time!

[@DIYMachines]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@NicJon]

@@DIYMachines Thank YOU! Haha!

[@NicJon]

I got a problem! My pen holder is too loose! It doesnt stay in place! It goes right and left depending on which direction the printer is driving! My prints are very inaccurate! Do You maybe know a solution for that?

[@CimboAkinci]

Liked and subscribed for the timing belt assembly

[@simonebonfanti7290]

Just great! Very nice video and elegant design. Thank you very much, your job is very inspiring. I look forward to build one as well.

[@DIYMachines]

Awesome, thank you.

[@franciscovallaperde4489]

CONGRATULATIONS, EXCELLENT DEMONSTRATION, SHOW !

[@DIYMachines]

Thank you Francisco. :)

[@imjustger]

Great design!

[@rikardfrid2679]

so everything printed just wait for the components great video

[@beatrute2677]

Nice presentation and cool project. Those 3d prints are real nice!

[@DIYMachines]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ChunkySteveo]

Really well thought out design and build! Nice!!

[@DIYMachines]

Thank you Stephen. :)

[@Jocham2013]

You are a good teacher thank you for your good work!

[@DIYMachines]

Thank you. :)

[@conductiveinkalternative918]

Love the build ,Thanks.

[@DIYMachines]

No problem, thanks for the kind words.

[@rusticagenerica]

May God bless you for this awesome video.

[@ThePeriodicTableOfElements]

this is clearer than the waters in the Dead Sea. Thank you so much

[@willieow3298]

Just found your channel, Thank you making it with such detail !

[@DIYMachines]

You're welcome and thanks!

[@selvappriyaabhavaanee117]

Dear DIY Machines, This is the first video I am seeing from your KZbin Channel. Crisp and Crystal clear videography catches the eyes instantly. And still more Crystal clear audiography catches the ears without any hitch or glitch. I wonder your recording studio must be equipped with the most modern media gadgets. Thanks for both. Your way of describing a, even though you dub "Super Easy", this is indeed somewhat complex design, is simply fascinating! Stream like narration without any drag, is all the more informative. Even at first run, I was able to absorb th key points easily. Assembling a technical machine that is going to be assembled from raw components, with this type of oral guidance is, of course, as you names, "Super Easy!" Apart from the electronics and software sections, the construction fairly uses 3D Printing for many parts. So, no cutting, grinding, polishing, milling or drilling. A very nice method. Congratulations form an ardently ardent DIY Techie from the seventies!! I am about to do this. But I hope you will publish the programming section and the electronics section soon. Please make this video complete is all aspects. Thank you very much!!

[@DIYMachines]

Hi, thank you so much for your kind words. I work hard on the projects and the videos and it's so pleasant when someone takes the time to say a few kind words. The second video can be found ere: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqTGfH9-r5xqgsk

[@donaldklopper]

Wow. Fantastic narration and video, not to mention the rest.

[@DIYMachines]

Thank you Donald. :)

[@Abdullah-td3ew]

Thank your for the detailed video

[@garagemonkeysan]

Nice engineering. Great video, well shot and staged. Mahalo for sharing! : )

[@DIYMachines]

Thank you. :)

[@forMakers]

I wanted to make it, but I’m really impressed because the video is easily explained

[@DIYMachines]

Thanks 😊

[@satina1169]

this is so cool I want to build it at some point

[@deepakchaudhary3647]

Thank you so much 👍👍👍 awesome mini cnc

[@CanabraGalhardo]

Parabéns um dos melhores vídeos que vi sobre cnc ,o duro que aqui no Brasil é a dificuldade em comprar os componentes pra construção de uma ,ainda conseguirei montar uma se Deus quiser

[@leagueleaders]

great project mate thanks for sharing! Will make for a fun future project for myself.

[@DIYMachines]

No problem Justin. :)

[@cintajayaservice7464]

thank you for adding insight

[@ensinoderoboticaeletrotecn5873]

That was awesome!!!!

[@DIYMachines]

Thank you. :)

[@medyk3D]

Very well made. Both the video and the macine.

[@ArtandPianoTF]

Really good explanation! Would the motors and electronics also be suitable to build the machine upright (with counterbalance) in bigger dimensions - e.g. for drawing DIN A1 (594 x 841 mm)?

[@allcrafter3747]

Thanks for your great work!!!

[@DIYMachines]

You’re welcome.

[@Fjyclydjgu]

Очень классная задумка, прям в кассу :))

[@jenkeller7311]

Thank you for the expressive video! I am trying to make my own right now, but I can not find the 3d printed part called the servo end. I have found everything else. Great job on making the video clear and understandable. Thank you!

[@peevonb7070]

Thanks man! Awesome videos.

[@DIYMachines]

Thanks Pee VonB :)

[@infinitech8]

Super interesting Thanks so much

[@ameershaikh8558]

Hello Louis I m ur new subscriber, ur way of explanation is too good. I m loving ur videos. Waiting for the part 2

[@DIYMachines]

Thanks for subscribing Ameer. Part two will be complete in just a couple more days. :)

[@DarcyWhyte]

super fine build

[@DIYMachines]

Thank you. :)

[@hstrinzel]

GREAT project! Wow.

[@DIYMachines]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@journeyofexperience574]

Thats awesome, thanks for explaining

[@DIYMachines]

No problem.

[@joetke]

OMG! How can I qualify this? Great job? surely. Instructive and helpful too. Neat and detailed. A fantastic and serious pedagogy on top. Thank you Sir! Sharing had never been so real indeed. I just discovered your channel and its pretty valuable posts. You deserve a much better visibility/exposure.

[@DIYMachines]

Wow, thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the project. Thanks for subscribing. :)

[@AliyazHandicrafts]

The great person who is delivered the Excellent information. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

[@DIYMachines]

Wow, thank you!

[@edfranksilva8557]

Sou de Manaus Amazonas Brasil Obrigado pessoas como você fazem a diferença no mundo

[@JulianMakes]

Awesome video! Ciao

[@johnathen3504]

this soo helpful !!! wish i discovered this channel earlier !!

[@valveman12]

Very Cool!

[@DIYMachines]

Thanks @valveman12 :)

[@satishkarsan]

Dear Lewis - Great build, very informative. I was just wondering, if this could somehow be adapted to cut images on paper?

[@adiidahl]

Amazing!

[@testizoizo7373]

Nice project 👍

[@logan398]

May i have the dimensions/link to the barrel connector? The link to the amazon is down. Thanks in advance

[@b_peters]

very well made love it👌

[@DIYMachines]

Thank you Bennet. :)

[@robotech3483]

I love you projects

[@DIYMachines]

Thank you. 😊

[@bongwelt4903]

Awsome flower

[@user-wq6uw3ve5k]

thank you! it helped me a lot

[@DIYMachines]

You're welcome!

[@narpat007]

your presentation is really awesome !

[@DIYMachines]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@Dycdom]

Awesome! Subscribed .

[@DIYMachines]

Thank you, and thanks again. 😀

[@ankitmr47]

Nice work sir doing great job of teaching people for free. Keep posting such content Lots of love from India

[@DIYMachines]

Thank you Ankit - I'll keep working on projects and sharing. :)

[@mohdattia8653]

Great work.... Thank you

[@DIYMachines]

Thanks, and you're welcome.

[@voDKaandEric]

that is some great content.. thanks for sharing and am going to try it

[@DIYMachines]

Thank you. Hope you enjoy using it. :)

[@1231shadow1]

cool project but i just put everything not printable into my cart and its $298.21 before check out. which is actually more expensive than some cnc drawing machine you can buy pre assembled

[@allornothing7957]

That is awsome!

[@DIYMachines]

Glad you think so. :)

[@colormaker5070]

I bought all the parts on your list and am very excited to build this. I am working on a frosting pen that will extrude red,green and blue frosting into a small mixing head to extrude a variety of colors to draw on cookie- cupcakes and cakes. Your videos are so easy to watch and understand.

[@MertCadet]

Did you do? Does it work?

[@colormaker5070]

@@MertCadet I am still working on the design but it does work. Frosting pumps work great but the mixing head needs work as the frosting comes out in stripes like toothpaste not a well mixed color. The larger mixing head did a good job but requires too much purge before chosen color extrudes.

[@erikchilders5496]

Love this thing!

[@DIYMachines]

Thanks.

[@Ricardo-xc6wd]

Nice filming, edition, light, explanation, content,...

[@DIYMachines]

Thanks Ricardo, kind of you to say so. :)

[@everythingbeautiful2599]

Great work and amazing video ❤️

[@DIYMachines]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@nyinkercom]

Superb work!

[@DIYMachines]

Glad you think so. Thanks

[@arjundas708]

Really great explanation sir

[@DIYMachines]

Thanks Arjun.

[@JONYghost]

Great job!

[@DIYMachines]

Thanks!

[@BSK_A_Learner]

Your explanation is good for me ,then I have clicked subscribe button 👍👍👍

[@DIYMachines]

Thank you so much 😀

[@guywhoknows]

One of the better design print/writers and neatest designs. I think the axial motor mounts could have had slots to mention the belt. And I think the pen end could have been attached directly to the head, with a gear, or swivel arm to lift and drop it. I think I would have built up the shield before mounting the Uno so alignment is easier. But then you can't get the screws. And as a small part of design, the slid bearings, rather than using cable ties, a small screw could hold them there if spaced far enough away to just catch rather than misalign. Keep up the good work.

[@worldentertainment4069]

You're best ticheer

[@HOLLYWOODlosANGELES]

*La présentation est très bien réalisée. Çà donne envie de réaliser la machine!* Merci.

[@DIYMachines]

Vous êtes les bienvenus et merci pour les aimables paroles. :)

[@mmoci81]

Like this video, subscribed, keep up great work. Very detail video as well as video description with all parts. Would be nice to see same machine as CNC for wood or metal.

[@dirkjanvanvliet]

Hey man! This plotter is really nice, clean and your explanation is one of the best I can find here on youtube. The only thing that holds me back is that the pen can not be set under an angle to use with a fountain pen. Would it be possible to make a mod of version of your machine for this feature? Thanks in advance!

[@johnrichards3235]

You sent me a link on the patron app. I ordered from Amazon, I have the rods and now I’m getting ready to assemble the machine soon. Thank you Lewis. I’ll take pictures of my progress and let u know and see.

[@DIYMachines]

Hi John, thanks for letting me know. Id love to see it when you have completed it.

[@artcamcncsumon7493]

--*_-soper bro love you-_*

[@TheMrjogas]

I will make for my son.great video .waiting for my 3d printer :)

[@DIYMachines]

Great 👍🏼 Lucky him - I've not seen mine for a few days whilst the family have been playing with mine over Christmas.

[@voccyvoc]

Fantastic video! I'm setting out to follow this and build my own, wish me luck.

[@DIYMachines]

Thanks Viktor. I'll say good luck (but I hope my instructions are good enough that you don't need the luck) :)

[@voccyvoc]

@@DIYMachines Yesterday I ordered parts and started printing the first few pieces. I'll give some feedback on problems I faced so far: 1. Wasn't sure what strength of nema motor I needed, but ended up buying ones with similar size (as a bad proxy). 2. had problems understanding how the linear rail and block standards work, what's a MGN9C vs 12H etc.. Guessing can make it work with whichever, but took a while to decide. 3. My first 3d print failed (BaseEnd-Idle) when I to print it as it'll be mounted and didn't realize I needed to use support. printed it successfully turned 90o instead. Not saying you should to include all these types of instructions in the video, but thought it be helpful for you to know.

[@DIYMachines]

@@voccyvoc Thanks for the feed back Viktor. I have added that you should use a

[@singlegame5764]

Best youtube chanel ❤️

[@DIYMachines]

Thanks. 😊

[@hbycht]

Super cool and handy tutorial, thank you! Would you say it's easy to build a plotter with bigger dimensions like A3 or A2?

[@MGKday]

thanks a lot for the video ! wondering, if I buy myself longer rods, will it still work the same and good or not ?

[@adnansiddiq5582]

Great Work Sir...

[@DIYMachines]

Thank you. 😊

[@HarpreetSingh-fr9yz]

You are great sir.

[@DIYMachines]

Thanks.