How I built myself a CNC router - from WOOD.

[@bengacz]

This is one of the best custom built CNC i have seen on KZbin. Most of them are made by people with huge experience in mechanics, tons of tools and another lathe or router. Thing is that people watching those videos don't have either experience, nor tools, and definetly lathe, so Your video is very helpful and inspiring.

[@Badg0r]

This is the truth

[@timfoster5043]

First thought @0:10 : "What a piece of crap!!" Second thought @ 2:00 : "Y'know.. you could learn a lot from this project, and not spend a lot of money" Third thought @ 3:00 : "Well, shoot. Why didn't I think of doing this earlier?!!? What is there to lose?" Hats off to you!

[@kennethkustren9381]

THE ORIGINAL .... www.buildyourcnc.com Start small, low tolerance... AND LEARN WHY EVERYTHING IS AS IT IS. DOING, NOT GUESSING. MAKE MISTAKES, TO LEARN FROM.

[@snoeg]

Planning to build a similar machine and I found your experiences and the "what I'd do differently" part very interesting. Thanks :)

[@Crypt1cmyst1c]

I like how you made an I3 style cnc router years before I3 style printers were common.

[@ffoska]

@CNC Kitchen Hey! Just wanted to thank you, saw your video over a year ago with this machine in it, and decided to build my own. The first one was kinda bad, but it worked, currently testing the second iteration, and it works great. Chinese router, with box section frame, metric threads, and a with a workspace of 320x250x60. Interestingly mine also looses steps, with specific feeds. It was a nightmare to debug, but I think I finally got it working. Tried the drawer sliders, but they got real bad deflection, currently using 3d printer bearings for small loads, and a combination of 608 bearings on an aluminium profile for high loads.Works great. Thanks for your work.Great video, as always.

[@primecouncil6475]

wow, didn't expect to see cnc made out of wood, it's relatable to not have metalworking toolset and needing a cnc too much! i think i gotta repeat this project next month! thanks for sharing!

[@Allan-mf1he]

Wow i always thought i was to much of a perfectionist to use wood and drawer rails. You have proved me wrong and you were able to learn a lot quicker than me!

[@MikeyFirst]

Five years ago I had the same plan, building a cnc router. I wanted to incorporate parts from old printers etc. but I realised soon enough it would be too big a challenge to fit all these parts together and have a rigid and accurate machine. So I decided to design my own cnc router. Therefor I had to buy some tools and use the expertise of a colleague at work to fabricate one or two parts. The rest I did by myself. The build took four years, it seemed like forever, but the ton of experience I got is priceless. Nice videos Stefan! Keep posting.

[@atadali6199]

Michiel van Hees can somebody make his 3d printer 👉 a car key cutter/engraver ? (notice it has to precisly make the cuts on the blank new key which has a small area)

[@noelleg9635]

I made a wood CNC machine as well, it was my very first electronics build. I LOVE your design, especially the use of the joist hanger for mounting the router.

[@doro4414]

Probably the bes video for cnc beginners. Thank you!

[@gascall5033]

Excellent build guide from the bottom up with limited tools and materials. The follow up retrospect advice was really helpful. For a startup on a limited budget and space, its inspiring . Thanks

[@Aikidoman06]

I like it! My son and I have been talking about building a cnc. This looks like a good example to follow

[@ZappninLLP]

Wow! Tastefully done! I was just in the process of making my own DIY CNC router out of parts scrounged from my garage, the backyard, a junk bin full of stuff that maybe would come in handy someday, like IKEA bed frame birch plywood that was up in the attic for decades! And old drawer glides! I was going to buy a really good one for about $500 but my wife convinced me to try and do it myself. I actually like making tools better than using them to make stuff.

[@yuraamirov7893]

Amazing ! Finally some educative video with great ideas rather than typical kit building video. Thanks man !

[@securytexx]

Fantastic video in every point of view, the speech, the voice, and the video quality awesome, informative, short, and sharp enough. All together a perfect example for how-to-create an educational video. Congrats, and thank you!

[@gogfarmabhi3151]

this is the only video i found which is helpful for me in all the ways for building my own

[@belenhedderich3330]

Dear Stephan it is always a pleasure to watch your videos!

[@nathanalexander9127]

I'm used to larger, corded routers kzbin.infoUgkxfQ5_mgwq6PcudJvAH25t-I4D-3cTPz4z so this was a different experience for me. Basically, this is an incredibly sweet machine, fits well in the hand, etc. It has slightly less power than I'm used to, but that's understandable. Maneuvering freehand takes some practice. These days, it's especially nice to be able to avoid power cords. This is above the level of a hobbyist but below a pro level.

[@anoirbentanfous]

Really great project and how you tackled everything is inspirational...

[@theidlehandsworkshop3884]

I have collected a lot of part from 3D printers over the years and think this might be my next project, thanks for the video and information !!!

[@Philhoppermiller]

I started to build one with drawer slides. Works pretty good. Cheap and simple.

[@reshuler]

Thanks for the video. I've been looking to do my own CNC. This video is a good starting point. Thanks.

[@catscatsmiaou]

Fantastic!! I want to do the exact same thing right now! Thanks for inspiration, I would have never thought about using wood. And I can use wood easily so once again 👍👍👍👍

[@LuLeBe]

The drawer slides are an interesting idea, never thought of that! I'm always amazed how cheap you can build these while still getting good results. My first CNC Router was also built from plywood parts, although I used ACME leadscrews and SBR16 linear rails. Overall way more expensive, I paid around 500€ for the whole machine including electronics, motors and spindle. It did a great job though! After a while I machined aluminium parts for a new Router, this time with a VFD Spindle, full aluminium construction and ball screws. Only thing I'd change would be using hybrid steppers or Servo motors, at least for the Y motors (which move the whole gantry). The steppers reach their limits fairly quickly there at around 3000mm/min.

[@AlexIstEinGott]

The speed limitation might be due to the drivers or the voltage. I went from ~4m/min on 24V to ~7.5m/min at 48V. Also, my DM556 drivers reach a lot more rpm than my TB6600 drivers

[@drawengrave01]

Very good! Inspiring, informative, positive, useful critical analysis, real examples. Solid presentation without tedious fluff.

[@charles64028]

I wish to thank you. You have made up my mind that I need to build one my self.

[@paulandrulis4672]

I like it a lot. Here, such ingenuity is considered awesome, the basis of who we are. Well done. It is not what you have, but what you can do with what you have that is important.

[@artrock8175]

This is absolutely great! Creating a useful machine with what you have! I hope you save this machine as part of your history and evolution as a mechanical engineer! Thank you for posting this!

[@pottervi]

That's rad. I love the idea of a wooden cnc anything

[@grasshoffers]

Nicely done. Getting started is always the biggest difficulty.

[@CNCKitchen]

I learnt over the years that JUST starting is the key. If you always hesitate you'll get nowhere in the end.

[@pjak2000]

@@CNCKitchen Exactly. How do you eat an elephant? Piece by piece... :)

[@y.z.6517]

@@pjak2000 1. Buy a large fridge. 2. Cut the beast into small pieces. 3. Put these pieces into the fridge. 4. Eat a few pieces every day.

[@Tom-xy7mx]

Huh, I never thought to use drawer slides for the moving axes of the cnc. I might actually try this since I have a bunch of drawer slides like these and plenty of leftover plywood from other projects =)

[@TheRainHarvester]

I used those springy aluminum axle couplers, but I noticed they bounce during fast moves. I ended up using fuel line (with wire twisted to hold them tight). I made a video on my channel.

[@objection_your_honor]

I made a 4ftx6ft version of this from plans I bought online back in 2004. It used 1.5"x3.5" (2x4) lumber from Home Depot which I sealed with a polyurethane varnish. I used NEMA 23, 1/4" adjustable hand router, 30V 200W supply and 100W current chopping stepper drivers from China for $50 each. All was run on a parallel port of an old 286 PC saved from landfill, running DOS 6.22 and TurboCNC sw. I wrote my own gcode by hand to cut my kitchen cabinet doors. After I was done with it, I sold it for $750. It costed me around $300 to build it.

[@lowellhouser7731]

This is awesome. I am looking to build my own CNC router and while I'm not going to use your design, you did mention several things that will help mine. Thank you.

[@frankcsernetics2376]

Fantastic design and build. Great narration as well!

[@amateurtech736]

Just found this video and WOW this is now on my project list. Right after I finish my hypercube

[@daskasspatzle2396]

Nice Machine ;-) My router also started with a Proxxon "Dremel", and is waiting for the 2kw water cooled spindel for some years now... Fortunately i started with NEMA 23 Steppers.

[@guyh.4553]

Harbor Freight! Ha ha ha

[@Aikidoman06]

If you are trying to align holes for the rods to pass through the bearings, I would clamp the two boards together and drill pilot holes through both. It takes a little pre-planing before assembly

[@mccc4559]

i love your style - open mind is great - your english is super - your future is paved with awesome things

[@ivanjack8341]

you are the best I found so far man! keep up the good work!

[@fociidannick]

Cool project. Im considering building a wood cnc. Youve Given me quite a few ideas to play with.

[@avejst]

Thanks for showing the iteration's and improvements👍

[@benjaminschlageter266]

Richtig cool diese CNC - du müsstest eine kleine Projekt Serie machen, in der du, eine 2.0 CNC Kitchen CNC baust - mit deinen Erkenntnissen aus der Vergangenheit. :-)

[@aaronschocke5463]

"...wooden stand-offs, which I thought were temporary at first, but in the end, worked out pretty well." Every project of mine ever has had at least two cases of this exactly. lol

[@computername]

It's funny that you post this now, I've just finished a similar thing (with more scrapyard bits). Only difference is, I have used the very cheap slides that you've decided against. I set them up as dual and inverted to gain stability, but they remain really wangy. On inital feel the slides alone feel quite positive, but in fact the balls have a lot of play which is only taken up by the flex of the plastic carrier. Your machining results look significantly better already, I would think thes bigger slides actually do better. It would be interesting to know a sitffness value of yours.. am planning to measure mine soon just for the giggles. The frame itself isn't the problem, so In any case thats some actual rails for me, soon.. Cool budget build, loved to see there are other people with a similar approach to getting started :) Usually you get the "ah that's crap, don't bother until you spend that X amount of money.." feedback..

[@terry2346]

computername I wonder how your slides would have done if you had tuned them per Matthias Wandel's instructions as he did when making his slot mortising machine? He sort of makes them into industrial slides. I am going with aluminum rails and V groove bearings for my first iteration of a wooden CNC.

[@computername]

@@terry2346 Thanks for the suggestion. Had a a look at them and it looks like, in comparison to the ones Matthias and Stefan have used, the V-groove isn't very pronounced on the cheap ones. So basically, if you bend them tighter there might be a chance the balls snap out of the rail completely and they don't work anymore. I will give it a try.

[@computername]

@Terry Got round to tweak the slies accoring to Matthias Wandels method. It did indeed increase the stiffness but they still flex. I think it's the metal itself bending under load. I stiffened the whole machine with struts and tried with different feeds and speeds and eventually got more useful cuts, I think the strategy + settings make a big difference. Here on youtube people managed to cut aluminium with an MPCNC, that shouldn't be miles off in terms of stiffness, one of them suggested that adaptive (?) toolpaths are key, so gotta try with them to see if there are further improvements. I also think a more suitable spindle would make a difference as I am still using an old corded drill that has quite low rpm. After watching some other videos I'd say it's now probably as good or even slightly better than these plastic mini-routers from ebay. It was definitely way cheaper than these so overall a nice learning project. Probably way better with the aluminium rails you suggest.

[@oddspaghetti4287]

Have you considered making a video where you test the multiple extremely cheap linear rails available online? I ordered some from ali and while i don't really know how good or bad they are they seem to work well enough for 3d printing and i'm wondering how they compare to quality rails.

[@garylake9317]

I think you did a great on your build for your first cnc. Most people just dream about doing it (like me).

[@AcrimoniousMirth]

Using industrial drawer runners was inspired!

[@asalottin]

What I think of this project?! Absolutely amazing is what I think! I've been feeling so much like going into CNC after year and half on 3D printing. Let's see if that happens by Christmas! Cheers Stefan!

[@basilkearsley2657]

Love the low tech to achieve high tech results

[@MarionMakarewicz]

It's a great project. I have just got to get down to construction. I have the electronics, bearings and motors and threaded rods. I have a tinyG and am going to do Chilipeppr. My biggest problem is that I want to make a big machine but only have small motors. So your setup is the most realistic. Thanks for the inspiration and as always, excellent video.

[@CNCKitchen]

Nema17 will work if you don't go too fast. Mine worked for 5 years. Better try, fail and learn instead of hesitate and do nothing at all in the end.

[@RomanoPRODUCTION]

I wouldn't have imagined. Very cool! 💟

[@hyperhektor7733]

for the torque problem , a simple gearbox could solve the issue (since speed is never maxed out) 1: 2-5 could be done with just 2 gears (aviable in china for ~2$ a piece)

[@curtispreston4400]

this seems really good I'm looking to make a budget one just for fun over the new year and this seams like a great place to start

[@choschiba]

Very nice setup. It’s good to see that with a small investment you are able to create a really nice working machine.

[@wisone12]

what modifications would you need for this to reliably cut steel? Maybe even stainless steel?

[@Medievalfan94]

I was planning my own CNC machine back in school. Back then we hadnt had such a broad software base to choose from as right now. Thats why I gave up because 14 y.o. me wasnt able to understand half of what the make shift software avaiable to makers requirred to know. Now I feel like the bug bit me again and maybe I will get out my old plans and revisit the idea...

[@MiniLuv-1984]

Thanks - proof of concept. If I build one, I will fibreglass the individual pieces to protect and increase rigidity. I wonder if any of your viewers have built one and used fibreglass external skin?

[@alexjenks2542]

Thanks for this video, really helps me in planning mine!

[@rachelspence9567]

Do you have a full list of what electronics and power sources you have used? I'm having trouble finding parts that will work together.

[@bergarteric5713]

Mister sorry for my langage but i'm french : You have my totally respect realy !!! Bravo Monsieur Your mind is very accuracy realy !!! thank for your ideas ... I'm very exiting about your chanel Long life for you . Eric Bergart Isigny sur Mer in France

[@underourrock]

Could you oil the wood and make it less moisture sensitive? Some truck bed liner might make it nearly indestructible (kidding, but only partially kidding.) Maybe an aluminum bed material for adding that laser? I like the ball screw idea. Did you mention linear rails? I might have missed it. Would be neat to see more information on how you got everything aligned, trammed, plumb... Etc.

[@Evilslayer73]

nice CNC Stephen you inspire me to build myself one :) great work!

[@nukularpictures]

Well i have a few linear rails here and never managed to start building the router / mill. I might give the wood a try and then see to upgrade it step by step to aluminium. I mean I have a 2.2 kW spindle plus vfd. So I guess I should really just start building it. Thanks for the video :)

[@CNCKitchen]

Go for it! That spindle should at least not let you down.

[@christurnblom4825]

I was hoping you would show some of the pieces you produced on the machine or a better description of it's accuracy because I'm wanting to build one but I want to use it for machining materials from wood & plastics to aluminum.

[@VahidBehravanVahid-Behravan]

nice simple and usable. I consider to make one for my shop. I this do the Artcam's works?

[@costadaniel7106]

I started with wood, and normal m8 threads and nema17 motors, but realized wood wouldn't be stable for long time. Just started a new project with only Steel and Aluminum nema23's T3x6 threads and 1.5kw spindel. Cant wait till finish

[@olanordmann7836]

With a lot of metal parts, those need lubrication right? Do you have any issues with dust attaching itself to the lubricant and clogging it up?

[@deathbydarwin1985]

I was looking at drawer slides at the hardware store yesterday and contemplated this same idea! I didnt think it would work, touche'

[@TheRainHarvester]

This is the first cnc I've seen that raises the entire x axis for z moves. It may even be more stable with regard to z sagging /tilting out of straight up and down.

[@bluustreak6578]

That Z axis was something I've never thought about. smort :)

[@ZebraandDonkey]

Nice piece Stefan.

[@Giblet535]

Aluminum is very easy to weld with just a propane or mapp torch and aluminum brazing sticks. An hour or two of practicing, and you'll be ready to build anything.

[@richwawa]

x

[@forloop7713]

Yup

[@tee-tech-old62]

Ich habe mir auch eine CNC fräse gebaut ;D Es ist echt krass das du das mit so wenig geld geschafft hast solche guten Ergebnisse zu erhalten

[@kalleklp7291]

Möjn,möjn.. I think you've done some good work with this one. Thanks for sharing the ideas and your thoughts about how to improve the machine. I'm in the progress of building one myself. Guess it will be a long and cumbersome way. However, you showed me it can be done without expensive materials.

[@anuragshrivastava7079]

Hi @CNCKitchen, Really motivating video specially looking at the over all cost. I am a newbie to mechanics but am planning to build a CNC machine for my self. Can you please help me understand how the rotating metal rod, the lead screws and stepper motor is causing left and right or top or bottom movement? Sorry of you have already explained it in the video and I missed it.

[@hotfuzz1913]

I like how the gantry moves for the z axis

[@christiansrensen3810]

You know you have an engineer in front you..when he says.. "I should have painted it...(pause)..cz humidity and steardyness... " And you realize that unimportant skrews are both pan head and dive skrews.. heck the head does nothing for the pull force... Thanks Stefan. - great vid... I am sticking around..

[@wernerboden239]

I encountered the same thing with the drivers and switched to DRV8825 as wel. Now, they have polulu drivers , producing 4A , definately a good idea. I used Nema17 High torgue steppers for my 3D printer, but it can also do a bit of milling. I started with TR12x3 , but it is more advisable to use a pitch of 1,2 or 4, because of the 200steps and 16/32 microsteps. With a 200 steps/rev and 2 pitch, you get 0.01mm per step, a nice round number. This means, the stepper coils get fully charged/discharged. With 3mm pitch, you never end up with maximum holding torgue and the 'steps_per_unit' settings are not a round number. I now used the tr8x8 (8mm pitch) to speed up the 3D printer. It is the same with ball screws. I use 2004 (20mm with 4mm pitch), but they usually sell 2005.

[@mattivirta]

cnc minimum motor what can use good have only nema 23, not ever nema 17 have good or working good, lot lost step and weak no power.

[@user-kr6yj4rh1l]

Top vid fella keep on making them 👍

[@FCADurgeshKumar]

Thanks for uploading such informative video, when we change bits while carving in wood, do we have to change some setting in mac3 software, and can we change bits in mid of carving, if yes then what precautions we should take for such changes. reply as soon as possible. Thanks

[@kennethhicks2113]

I know this is dated.... you mentioned accuracy. I'm sure you have measured it. What are the x, y and z repeatability 1 mm, 100mm... would love to know so as to have a comparison to similar one I plan to build soon. (ya don't need to use a micrometer to measure meters ; ) Ex. What would be the smallest pcb trace/spacing you'd be comfortable making with it?

[@MLFranklin]

What a cool project!

[@Edsdrafts]

Thanks for sharing. I was looking for an affordable CNC but this is actually way more fun and reward than any prebuilt. On top of huge savings of course. If you don't mind me asking, what engineering studies did you do?

[@normandragot9927]

If you want good quality stepper motors for little or no money, find a photocopier shop in your area. They are constantly discarding obsolete copiers and very likely would be happy to let you take a junker for free or a small fee. The document feeders (The unit that feeds stacks of paper one at a time to be copied) usually have 2 or 3 NEMA 23 steppers in there, the body has more running various other drives.

[@timadang2880]

Thx for making this Video!!

[@mahatbindawi158]

Interesting, affordable and useful ccn DIY project. I would like to built one.

[@chrisfranklinguitar7105]

Damn, throwing shade us mechanical engineers at the beginning 😂, I'm learning electrical engineering as a hobby bro, recently got an alduino and planning linking the two fields together to make my own DIY projects. Can't we all just get along 😭 . Thanks for the tutorial btw keep it up

[@williejohnbui2985]

I can do the timber frame part, could you please assist with the electronic part of with it a material list and step by step instructions.

[@Thatdavemarsh]

How is the backlash with the nuts you chose? Nicely done! Consider me inspired. It’s on the list now!

[@CNCKitchen]

Depends on how tight you get everything but it's usually in the range of 0.1mm or lower.

[@BigRalphSmith]

I know this comment is old but I just wanted to add that most if not all of the backlash can be eliminated by using dual nut assemblies on the drive screws. Adjusting them closer together or farther apart can remove most or all of the backlash if adjusted properly.

[@RCModSquad]

Makes for a nice entry point into CNC. THANKS.

[@hannuhanhi183]

Cool as hell. Why not frame out of concrete, sturdy enough to mill brass, steel ?

[@kuraigasone]

is it really works with drawers ?

[@moschidreamer]

Super, so traue ich mich auch an das Thema ran. Danke. Hast du eine Übersicht der Komponenten die du heute nutzen würdest? Ich kaufe mir noch einen 3D Drucker.

[@reaffirmation]

Are you single stepping the steppers in this setup?

[@MLFranklin]

Cool project! What are the limitations to keep this one being built big enough to cover a 4'x8' plywood sheet like the Maslow? I don't mean to nit-pick; I'm just curious about the trade-offs.

[@Arun_studio_Jaipur]

Good project and excellent explain.

[@ChipEstrada]

AWESOME, I kinda did the same thing, except for the X,Y,Z I used 8mm rods with linear bearings and epoxy'd them to the mounts with J-B Weld. I enjoyed your video and Makers Make the world!

[@skaltura]

wow, interesting that you get by without thrust bearings on the lead screws and flexible alu couplings :O 608 bearings really are not made to take lateral force but seems to be sufficiently sturdy :)

[@y.z.6517]

Dank. I wish I can like you once every time you have a good idea. Maybe KZbin should allow us to rate, instead of just thumb up.