How to: DIY Arduino CNC Router Cutter Welder (Part 5: Router, GRBL Settings and EASEL Tutorial)

[@johnkristoff2341]

Absolutely mesmerizing. You may or may not know the inspiration you instill in others. There must be hundreds whose lives you have made so much more active and productive. Thank you. I'm hooked.

[@lmeza1983]

This is the closest thing to a real DIY CNC machine I have ever seen, I need to make one since the cnc routers out there are super expensive ($2000) and not really that useful, I wanna see your plasma cutter version, subscribed.

[@colinroberson9373]

It's pretty suprising how little CNC tutorials there are considering there is an arduino API for it

[@_CAT-lg4sr]

I like the way your CNC build is adaptable for so many uses. A GREAT idea is the exchangeable carrier that fits into the Z axis frame allowing a quick change to other tools for other projects / purposes, very inventive! A CNC drawing, routing, engraving, cutting, welding, etc. machine. I've got to copy yours (hope you don't mind). The absolute only changes I would modify would be to use all sealed bearings and to enlarge the frame to accept a 4x8 sheet of stock material.

[@PiefacePete46]

It may seem strange to be commenting six years after the video was posted... I have been using a "Down-cut" spiral router bit recently. It seems wrong to use a cutter that pushes the chips into the cut, but it works fine. The big advantage is that because the spiral pushes the fibres down, there is absolutely no tear-out or fuzzy edges, even on fibrous material like that shown at 15:30.

[@zafarmora]

WOW,Hats off buddy.It was best video i ever watched about CNC and your Frame Table was awesome very simple i m from Pakistan and soon will start my own CNC then i will bother you for some questions. Thanx a lot for your great work and time

[@kingredleg6747]

I will be building a CNC project. This video covered alot of the questions I had. Motor calibration, what software and how to use it. Thanks for bringing us along for the ride.

[@AbsorberofLight]

+King Red Leg Thanks and good luck with your build. Let me know if you have any questions as you go along.

[@johnware5312]

There are many ways to go with a self made CNC. The from scratch/no plans method, as here and the way I did mine, Plans available on the net, and kits. Personally I DO NOT recommend the scratch approach unless a person had a far better that average experience with mechanics in general. To do a good CNC you have to work with tolerances below about 20 thou. The tighter, the better. With wood anything no less than about 30 thou or a 32nd will work fine. The other critical thing is keeping things squared up and parallel. Deviate from that by more than say half a second or roughly 120th of a degree and the accuracy goes to pot on anything you make. This is tough to hold even in a kit build. Then there is the drive issues. Best to get is ball screws but you will think you're financing a moon launch with the price of those. Acme thread is reasonable and affordable. In fact you will find it used in most commercial CNC type of machinery like lathes. It looks like all thread with square threads. Bottom is all thread. The thread pitch IS very precise but the major and minor diameters of the thread is a whole nother issue. In all cases you will have backlash to deal with.. Run a nut up on a bolt and notice the wobble in that nut. Thats backlash. It can be dealt with but the less there is to start with, the less you have to do. Bearings and what they ride on are another. Top of the line is whats known as linear bearings. Something else that is also in the moon launch price range. Common skate mid range skater bearings have tolerances in the range of say .0005 and they are CHEAP. Use them on steel square tubing available at the local home depot and its easy to stay within a couple thou flat all the way. I use V-rollers at about 9 bux a pop running on the edge of some 3/4 angle. You can use a couple skate bearings mounted in a V to ride on the square corner of the same 3/4 angle but it has problems in adjusting out the slop. I chose to pay the extra in cost for ease of mounting and adjustments. Then there's the electronics issue. I chose to go with a program Called Mach 3, around $150 ( best I recall), using an old computer Ive had for at least 15 years. Thats functionally the same as the common adruino setting on a G-shield or some other driver board such as this build. My setup is almost identical to what you will find in the average smal to mid sized 3-axis CNC commercially made. In fact a huge number of them actually use Mach 3. There is basically nothing wrong with the Audrino/gshilerd or driver setup and it functions quite nicely for many but it does not have the versatility of Mach 3. Price wise - ignoring the steppers- works like this.. My setup in the neighborhood of $300 Adurino Most likely somewhere around $75. Software wise--- the total price for all the software I normaly use - somewhere around $500 to $650. This does NOT include the $150 for Mach 3 that is the equivalent to the part of the online Easel program in the mode of the actual cutting. Then thees the steppers. smal ones can be had for nothing by junking out any inkjet but the power is so low you cant do squat with them. Small stranded NEMA17 size can go for about $15 to $20. This is what this guy used. NEMA 23s like I use go from about $30 to around $80 depending on the torque. The large size ones, NEMA 37 ( i think) go from around $100 up but are NOT needed unless you're moving car motors around. Then there is the spindle.. FORGET the cheap 300 watt ones unless all you want to do is scratch up some plastic or brass. I have one and I DO use it for engraving work and chewing on plastics and aluminum where I must have good speed control. Its super slow go with it. Normally I use a Ridged brand trim router the rest of the time. Go with any of the small hand held trim routers. Also order up a couple set of brushes for it too. They go faster than you would think on a CNC. Theyre gutsy enough to make huge clouds of sawdust. STAY AWAY from the Harbor freight ones, theyre over priced garbage. I toasted 2 of them just carving out half a dozen 12 by 16 inch fancy lattice panels out of underlayment for a guy. The one this guy used IS harbor freight Junk. Surprises me he hasnt smoked it. This is one place where going cheap can AND WILL bite you in the butt. The money for the trim router turns to smoke, the job gets trashed also burning money. Just consider what nice chunk of say walnut costs. The costs are worth it to me and I acquired the software over a few years so its nowhere as costly as you would first think. You can easily blow a couple or 3 hundred trying to tag a deer. Bottom line and a warning. CNCs are a blast and HABIT FORMING.. Hope my bit of rambling gives you some REAL info on the CNC addiction. :)

[@lmeza1983]

+John Ware Im planning on building my first cnc machine anytime soon but the cheapest motors I can find are Nema 27 425oz ( using tb6560 and a power supply 24V 350W) think they would be enough for working on aluminium and engraving steel? assuming I got a smooth rail of course.

[@johnware5312]

425s will give you all the power you need if you use some form of lead screw. I use a 5 start 10 pitch one on my X and Y. In essence one rev of a stepper gives a half inch of travel. With 2x micro stepping engaged one rev works out to 400 steps a rev or 800 per inch. That gives a resolution of 0.00125 inch. That 5 start lead screw lets me run rapids at around 375 ipm if I want. I have it set to 200 so there isnt anywhere near the jerking around on ramp up sand ramp downs of the steppers running at 375 ipm. 3 foot 1/2 inch 10 pitch acme threaded rod is right at 10 bucks. Bit more than all thread but it has far better accuracy. More than likely any form of belt or chain drive using 425's can most likely allowin complete stalling of the steppers, havent verified it but that opion is based on how easy I can stall a 425 with a 2 inch disk on the shaft buy simply clamping down tight with my hand on that disk. 425 oz/in is roughly 2.2 foot pounds.. Steppers dont rate like any motor. the rating is HOLDING torque, where with a normal motor its rotating force. Keep in mind that going too cheap is not going to get good results. 150 bux for 3 steppers isnt bad when you consider what the rest can cost. :)

[@Karlemilstorm]

ME TOO. This video series is so fucking cool!

[@LeCockroach]

Wow man, its a pleasure to see you work with such passion and perfection for each milimeter.

[@eridanyloperubio240]

Is very nice and easy to do,excuse me english I am Mexican and when I finish cnc ,hope work like yours.

[@davidbloom8353]

Wow, what a incredible job. I really like your design. Can wait to see the welding and cutting attachments. Keep up the good work !!!!!

[@AbsorberofLight]

+David Bloom Thank you David, I appreciate your kind words!

[@Milho]

I have seen all your cnc construccion videos up here, and results be that I was looking for! Finally I understand that software-programing part isn't that hard that I think. THANKS!just a little advice... Go on metric system, all will be more easy and precise.

[@AbsorberofLight]

Thanks man, yes it's not that hard with some proper research. I agree about the metric system and use it when making smaller parts. The thing is everything in the US is in inches (tape measure, materials, etc)

[@Chaos------]

Building one based off your design. I just sent away for the parts and tools (I had none) Ill need to construct it after saving up for months. Very inspiring build.

[@AbsorberofLight]

Thanks and good luck!

[@saltwaterenthusiast]

This is everything I imagined it would be. I'm so excited to learn the whole build from you!

[@b.o._tech]

I'll do one equall here in Brazil! Thanks for sharing your experience! The best of me to you!

[@davewortley2293]

brilliant I have just finished a x y sprayer on a budget and that works really to

[@boogerhead0]

That trim router mount is about as direct and effective as one could make. I wasted days working out a machined mount for that same oddball body shape before dumping it and going to a Craftsman 1/4" router body I found at the junk store. I may go back to the HFT now that I've seen your mount. Thanks!

[@AbsorberofLight]

I recommend that trim router from HFT. I've had it running continously for HOURS and it's still going! Not bad for less than $20

[@PiefacePete46]

I just revisited your series after a few years. It is just as valid as it was back then, probably due to your clear and uncomplicated problem solving. By the way... I tried to find some kiddies roller skates a while back... they seem to be out of fashion, in favour of skateboards and scooters. Ripoff - you only get half as many bearings for your $$.

[@gixrman]

Truly “made from nothing into something “ awesome.

[@andremendes5116]

Nice see The Machine work in progress, nice man... your frame is to me a best I ever see in web.

[@mousaqadry4276]

yes you can .... what a marvelous work you have done !!!!!!!!!

[@StockLegends]

Enjoy watching you work.. Please keep posting!

[@parjacpar3077]

That must be the most over engineered cnc machine ive seen on you tube , ,Thanks for great videos glad you explained everything . . .the motors i would of done different way so that they are easy to change if faulty one needs replacing

[@speedboxracing]

Excellent project and as didactic way to explain.I advise me to make one for cutting. Congrats

[@darrenanton2898]

Love the CNC Mill you did a good job on it

[@woodengifts2472]

WOW What a skill in fabricating you have. i've watch many cnc build video's upto now, and i'm in the process of building a 1m x 2m. most of them over engineer and they still hit snags. good job your not doing an health and safety video tho. keep the videos coming...

[@ensega56]

muchas felicitaciones le quedó muy bien la cnc seguiré muchas de las buenas prácticas q tiene para trabajar yo estoy trabajando en una gracias por poner sus videos

[@AbsorberofLight]

Gracias a usted señor Ruben.

[@rverm1000]

wow! this will save me a ton of time. I've been trying to find a cnc program for my metal contraption.

[@dansw0rkshop]

That is excellent work. I'm working a CNC build myself, and excited to know about EASEL. I've used BlenderCAM and I really like it as well.

[@jdjz62]

These are excellent videos. Thank you very much for taking the time to make and share. Great series.

[@gera6376]

Jim Jamer

[@dragosbalan1114]

good job my cnc project is based on your videos... keep up the good job regards from romania

[@osvaldomoreyra3023]

lo felicito señor un grn orgullo industrial desde tío pujio cba Argentina

[@bulletproofpepper2]

Wow it works well. Hats off to you sir. Nice job!!! Thanks for sharing.

[@scrashnet]

De constructor a ñoño, este hombre de ganó unas suscripción conmigo xD

[@arnaldolourenco7855]

Parabéns e muito obrigado nós ,apesar de não saber inglês da pra pegar as dicas,que Deus te abençoe

[@johnware5312]

Nice scratch build. Not that many people are capable of doing that. I did mine up in autocad inventor then simply cut to the drawings to make the parts. The only thing I would have done different mechanical wise using steel was use bolts in some places where I could easily replace bearings if and when they wear out without a cutting torch. I did mine using acme threads, 450 oz/on nena 23 steppers, a breakout board and clone geko stepper drivers. I use Mach 3 for the controller software. Resulting G0 or wide open is set at 300 IPM but it is capable of about 450 IPM. G1 - or software set travel depends on material, bit and cutting depth. Its all MDF except for the V-bearings and the 3/4 angle iron. Its the same basic design. The V-rollers run on the edge of the angles. As I dont do metals MDF fits my needs. Amazing how stiff it can be when you glue 2 3/4 thick pieces together. Deflection on a foot of 6 inch wide 1.5 inch with a couple hundred pounds hanging on the free end is right at .002. Close enough for me. As the stepper drive current is real low doe to the chips on that board, consider this.... The adruino send a step and direction for each of the 3 steppers. The result is that is EXACTLY the same as what I get out of my breakout board... SOOO if you need more OOMPH simply toss that driver board, pick up a 36 volt 15 amp power supply, a 3 axis geco driver or 3 separate ones and 3 450/0z steppers. NOTHING changes software wise. So when do you do a scratch plasma cutter? hehh

[@AbsorberofLight]

+John Ware I appreciate your comment, you know your stuff. I do eventually want to get that Mach 3 software.

[@johnware5312]

mach 3 works with a parallel port but as most computers today dont have that I recommend you go with Mach 4 using usb. Goes for 200 bucks You will need to add something like the smooth stepper board. It converts USB to essentially a parallel port out that will interface with a standard parallel port breakout board. I may go that route when my 15 year old computer driving the CNC croaks. a standard usb to parallel port adapter WILL NOT work with Mach 3. Mach 3 will run on w2k xp and the 32 bit version of windows 7 and up. it WILL NOT run on the 64 bit versions.

[@AbsorberofLight]

+John Ware Thanks for all the great info!

[@johnware5312]

Any time.. :)

[@Anoshiravan1]

i love you man, you are world best disigner

[@mircotessarolo2969]

ottimo lavoro.. ottimo presentazione...

[@happer2009]

Man, you have gold arms.

[@winkoldhj7545]

you really built a good machine, thanks man.

[@pablotello4430]

Very good, creative work.

[@helpyoutech5464]

it's great job u did there , not expensive , and it's sure that u a pro in welding , only wanted to ask , does the router start automaticly or manualy ? plz

[@DF5152]

Nice job. Can you do a video of how the computer and electronics were done? or point me to the video were you covered that.

[@asressaraia2340]

Hi thanks again for your extremely useful research and development and presentation s. I have almost finished my 4ft by 4ft table, what are the steps to connect the steeper motors and the rest of the path. Can you help? Thanks

[@AbsorberofLight]

search for "arduino grbl" and you'll find how to connect

[@nailedart4431]

Totally DIY, you did it. Works fine, nice skills there.

[@justryan7109]

Super impressive! I need one now.

[@CarlinComm]

This is an awesome series, thanks for sharing!

[@cesarfabianalonso]

Amazing video and nice work!!!!!!

[@tonythomas951]

Dude you rock. Thank you again. Its going to be fun.

[@AbsorberofLight]

+Tony Thomas You rock too bro it's always fun!

[@asulliv1954]

Got Damn You the XYZ Man,Great Job there is no machine you can't make ureself!!Great Work!!

[@paulregan6804]

brilliant work pal

[@mightymalikie]

For help on turning yer welder/plasma tourch on or off You might be able to set up a proximity switch with an adjustable tab to turn a solid state relay on and off plus maybe a timer to get a final on adjustment For when the z axis comes down it will activater the prox switch and turn on yer appliance and when it goes up after that particular cut pass it will shut off the appliance making software an over priced commodity. Just what i would do since i mess with them all the time we use them to do automatic adjustment for tension or shit off functions till the rest of the machine catches up

[@AbsorberofLight]

+mightymalikie Great ideas, thank you!

[@wqwwqwqqpoppopoo]

really great series! I'm gonna work on my own!

[@angelcanizalez6084]

good job, I would like to make a cnc, and hope to soon follow some of your steps, thanks for sharing, Greetings

[@VictorRodriguez-bt7qg]

Te felicito hermano muy buen trabajo

[@sbirdranch]

Great job on the build. I am super impressed with the accuracy. I am building one also and think I may have under estimated the capability of the humble stepper motor. I am at the point where I mount the spindle or a ball point pen, just to get something drawn. I'm conflicted. ;)

[@AbsorberofLight]

+sbirdranch haha! Yep, too many choices;)

[@diegosalinas9463]

Eres un Chingon!!!! Thanks 😊!!!!!! Gracias!!!!! You r the best🥳🥳...

[@midialan]

Fantastic CNC machine my man, Ive been wanting one for a long while now to make electric guitar bodies. I'd really like to see you make a Fender style jazz bass body, and I'm up for a purchase ;) Nice work from Alan in the UK. CHEERS.

[@RAMHELO2010]

You are just incredible..... AMIGO!!!!

[@luishuenuman2]

felicitaciones amigo genial saludos desde CHILE espero poder fabricar uno para destajes de aluminios voy a intentar seguir tus buenos ejemplos

[@AbsorberofLight]

Gracias amigo y buena suerte!

[@CashfromTrash555]

SO SIMPLE SO GOOD SO EASY THANKS FOR SHARING U R MY HERO

[@oscarfayad4267]

Hi, super nice work and thanks for teaching us to do like this work by our-self, i have question about how you connect the spindle motor?

[@MinhDIY]

nice DIY CNC

[@pg9112471]

like this series. your doing pretty awesome.

[@JunkWorkshop]

Man! You are freaking amazing talented

[@fabioac7817]

Muito boa essa maquina ficou profissional, estou pensando em fazer uma mas to com pouco tempo, quanto tempo vc levou para fazer ?

[@aparecido238]

Caramba que projeto da ora muito bom...o mais complicado é a parte de programação...

[@brendhouse_bh]

Thanks my brother GREATE JOB

[@paolocicala3180]

BEST.....BEST.....BEST.....GENIAL ARDUINO!!!!!!!!

[@vobinhthu5299]

nice work, very nice work.

[@charles1379]

great work. it is impressive

[@ramiroramirezcastillo7191]

Gracias Amigo dios te vendiga.

[@keithallen4584]

Can you put a building material list out? I really like your design and would love to make this one!

[@AbsorberofLight]

+Keith Allen I used 2in 14ga square tubing for most of the machine. 1in 14ga for the work surface. You can use any kind of stepper motor (mine are nema 17) and driver combination. 6 roller-skate wheels for the x-axis and 16 roller-skate bearings for the y-axis. I bought two ACME lead screws and blocks from ebay for x and y axes and for the z-axis I used 5/16's threaded rod bought at home depot. The drawer slides for the z-axis were also bought there. Hope this helps!

[@sigolitis]

very very very good job man gratz

[@anonymousman1523]

you are genius man

[@nelsonbustillo4753]

Eres un genio brother.

[@CeesTax]

Amazing, well done!!

[@jerrylivingston6482]

Great job , what would be involved to make your system able to cut carbon steel say up to 1/4 inch thick steel

[@AbsorberofLight]

+Gerry Livingston Slap a plasma cutter on it and you're good to go!

[@cnctoolspro1]

Great job!

[@tecnologias9457]

thanks for your video very hard work interesting and didactically

[@gera6376]

Sipan Music D

[@tecnologias9457]

if you speak Spanish will be better. I have many questions about this. thanks so much

[@DavidLeeMenefee]

WOW, what do you now do for an encore. Thumbs up....PEACE

[@knivescasamatablacksmith4606]

Bom dia onde tem o projeto de material que usou parabéns ótimo trabalho amigo

[@jeremyjeremy2574]

Muy buena! Los motores son nema 17?

[@LarrySbrusch]

Very good video..

[@grost4635]

Nice Job!

[@maxdgac]

Amazing, great, outstanding job, you really earn my subscription !!!, keep doing that great working my friend ;)

[@MrGoodVideo77]

Thank you Very Mush For This Tutorial

[@knartfocker_]

great work man!

[@marcossouzareis7827]

parabéns muito bom.happy very good.

[@samik648]

hiii..i am making a cnc machine with arduino uno,a4988 driver and cnc shild problem is x axis stepper motor is moving bt y axis stepper motor is not moving.y axis stepper motor is vibrating

[@KHA7V]

your like a marvel super hero

[@jinwooyoo6018]

Congrats on your build. I'd like to build my own cnc myself, but I want to build it twice bigger than yours (1220mm*2440mm). What kind of frame materials should I use to build the cnc machine like yours?

[@kamboora]

it's very handy job, thanks for sharing it,i have question regarding electronics,you have used an arduino Uno USB card, NEMA stepper motors for X, Y, Z axes, i believe the gantry had to be driven by two motors instead of one, how was the drag torque of the gantry with one motor?!! was it enough?!! and what is the name of the motor's drive card "the card between motor power feed and arduino card control?!! i would build my own machine very soon.

[@afzalmehmood4498]

thanks for bringing us best tutorial. please don`t mind i can`t speak English, i have one problem in motor $150 step/mm is fine but my motor start vibrating on $160 or $200 etc. so can any body help me im running my cnc on arduiono uno + cnc shield v3 + stepper driver A4988

[@matiasgoinheix366]

How is this CNC holding up? Anything you would do different?

[@yiyopecas]

lindo trabajo felicidades

[@fabioaugustop]

Hi, your project is awesome, I've been looking for something like this for ages, I just have a simple problem, I can weld, but the arduino part killed me, if you ever have some extra time... could you do a video focused on how did you set that up?, the connections and all the wiring, I know it is too much to ask but I think I could actually complete this project and I don´t know anybody who could help me with that part, thanks a lot man and once again, awesome series!!!

[@AbsorberofLight]

+Fabio Parra Thanks man I appreciate it. I'll do a quick video on how to connect everything.

[@abdulasis12]

+Absorber Of Light give me follow too , I need for made CNC but driver and interface board for CNC so expensive if possible give plan and series arduino + driver for run stepping motor please . Thank you so much.

[@financiamientojcisalta6876]

Hi! Is possible edit this machine with a tangencial knife or someone else to cut cardboard with presicion? Greetings from Argentina

[@f.brit0felix607]

How are you controlling the beak? Type turns off.

[@Arjoonmoal]

subscribed!!! liked, and yeah nice work here. you just convinced me to buy a mig welder, hahahaha, was forcing myself with the arc welder for too long. :D

[@AbsorberofLight]

+Arjoonmoal MIG's the way to go!! Thanks for subscribing!

[@alexecheverria]

+Absorber of Light I have a cheap TIG fluxwelder that makes a mess (and some holes) but will try to build one as I am going the cheap way :P

[@eezeprint7687]

Man you are the best

[@baselalhroub]

thank yuo v.much شكرا لك كثيرا