3D Print your own CNC - MPCNC Lowrider2 part 1

If you own a 3D printer and want a CNC, this series is for you. The MPCNC (mostly printed CNC) is as its name suggests, a CNC machine that is primarily 3D printed. In this series I am making the lowrider2, which has infinite length in the Y axis as it rolls along a workbench or table. The finished machine can be used as either a router or laser cutter.
This was a Patreon request and I'm really excited about completing it. I purchased my vitamins from V1 Engineering and made the rest myself. If you didn't have a way to manufacture the cut parts, you can order them from V1 engineering, print, trace and cut with a jigsaw, or visit your local makerspace. If you don't have a 3D printer you can order the printed parts too.
In the next episode I'll be attaching the belts, electronic and configuring the firmware to get this thing moving.
V1 Engineering shop: shop.v1engineering.com/
Lowrider2 parts: www.v1engineering.com/lowride...
Lowrider2 assembly: www.v1engineering.com/lowride...
Thingiverse 25.4mm OD tube parts: www.thingiverse.com/thing:302...
Thingiverse 25mm OD tube parts: www.thingiverse.com/thing:306...
25.4mm OD tube I purchased: www.bunnings.com.au/metal-mat...
7mm plywood I purchased: www.bunnings.com.au/1200-x-39...
12mm plywood I purchased: www.bunnings.com.au/1200-x-39...
Buy quality and affordable filament from X3D. Buy 3, get 1 free and a free sample pack with every order: www.x3d.com.au
Take a look around and if you like what you see, please subscribe.
Support me on Patreon: / teachingtech
#mpcnc #diy #3dprinting

[@iandawkins2182]

Lowrider CNC riding high, but not as high as you Sir. What you do for the maker community is above and beyond. Respect and please keep the videos coming, thanks from a dedicated UK follower.

[@originaltrilogy1]

So great having an Aussie doing this stuff, it makes it so much easier to source local components and bypass some of the hassles with parts substitution, Thanks!

[@JaykUS354]

I'm so glad for the future Part II... will try to get my table done in time to follow along! This project has been on my to-do list forever. Very grateful to have you to guide me through the next phase...

[@sapote69]

I love how the content of this channel tackles a wide range of topics. awesome channel and thank you for your hard work

[@danriffe1744]

A very hearty congratulations on producing an excellent video series and most importantly, for knowing how to pace the thing. Slow enough the understand, but even more importantly, fast enough to keep the viewers attention! And BTW, a great project.

[@TR-yn5tb]

GREAT Video Michael. Just found your site today and will return to look at more of what you've done .... great quality , easy to understand and follow, clear sound. Super excited to build my own CNC lowrider unit.

[@philpilkington]

Thanks. I built a MPCNC but wasn't aware of this new model. Looks great. Great instructional video. Good luck with the finish - you're almost there!

[@harrypehkonen]

The existence of things like this (buildable without having to pay for engineering) make me very happy. Maybe one day wheelchairs, prosthetics, etc. will have the same fate. I understand building things in bulk can make a huge difference too, but it's the human-beings-for-human-beings part that's so gratifying to me.

[@barirwin8559]

Great work ! Excited to follow along and begin building my first Mpcnc. Thanks for your efforts !

[@matt759537]

this deserves more views... thank you for this! i started this out and was getting confused along the way and your tips really helped.

[@gianlucapetri2854]

WoW exactly what I was looking to do lol, cant wait for the series to be completes, cheers!

[@geekdomo]

I have watched you for years for only 3D printing content. My son is taking machine cad/cam class so I thought I would build him a DIY CNC. I ordered all the parts from V1 sans the motors and board (tearing down my old FT5). I was stuck on the assembly and came to youtube to find maybe a good assembly video. Found one non talking one and low and behold your video was next on the list. Such a great walkthrough. Thanks for making this!

[@lmcmulle]

Great video mate. I was looking for this build and when I saw you were doing it... I knew it was the only videos I'd need. Cheers.

[@Bombtheory]

I built a MPCNC (not the Lowrider) a few months back. For wood/plastic, it is a solid performer. Printing took about 200 hours. Alex, V1 Engineering, is always on his forums to answer questions, trouble shoot, and cheer you on. Biggest benefit is that you will know your machine very well, making repairs or modifications much easier.

[@iTzRaCx]

I want to built the same as you have, have you used it with acrylic?

[@markvreeken]

You mate are a Champion !! Can't wait to see the build unfold. Downside being that I might have to look at making one myself.. it's not like I've got any thing else to do . 😉. ( ....Wife going postal in the background ....) Thanks a lot for all your videos You have become my go to since I have gotten into 3d printing. Your knowledge is invaluable .. Cheers

[@taylorbradley6476]

Wow, this project looks awesome!

[@didierklein9025]

That's an interesting build! looking forward to see how it turns out

[@marius.1337]

Amazing. Please continue this series.

[@jasoncreech4486]

Thanks for doing this project and sharing it with us.

[@haenselundgretel654]

This is the best MPCNC video availlable yet!

[@Tarbard]

Good idea for a series, after being in 3D printing for a while I have just got into CNC too.

[@fog1257]

3d-printing is CNC too. CNC means computer numeric control and does not tell what type of machine it is, it could be a mill, printer, laser etc. Not trying to be a smart ass it's just nice to clear up the confusions.

[@DormantIdeasNIQ]

@@fog1257 huhh! thank you thank you thank you mphckr! you are NOT a smart arse!, you rock!

[@janes-e378]

Another great vid and your explanations are top notch,especially for us newbies..cheers

[@davidwood2548]

Very interesting video! I'm new to 3D printing; but I built my own CNC router 5 years ago. (22" x, 32" y, 6" z cutting area) Even though I built on a budget I still spent about 3 times this amount, and spent hours sourcing components. I'm looking forward to see what your accuracy of cut/repeat-ability turns out to be. Love your videos!

[@avejst]

Wow, impressive design Well find in Thinkerverse 👍 Thanks for sharing 👍😀

[@suharsh96]

Hey man I really appreciate whatever content you put out, thank you for doing everything that you do ! :)

[@RubenDax]

The whole reason I originally bought a 3D printer was to build the MPCNC. Thank you so much for taking on this project. You are an amazing resource for the community.

[@nanktank]

This is so cool! I dont know what I need one for but im sure I can figure out something to make with one!

[@allanchalmers9359]

Well done ! Clear concise and easy to follow thank you

[@chibini1531]

Great project, good to see how to build machines that build machines.

[@stillo1578]

Fantastic Build thanks for shareing

[@stevennagley8969]

Thank you for this video, i enjoyed watching

[@galihad1980]

This thing is an amazing idea!

[@davidtingle6]

Great video as usual.

[@doktordeathray]

Love your videos thanks so much Michael

[@matiasgoinheix366]

subbed, following this series

[@ericfabinger2083]

Thanks for another great video and topic.

[@MisterMakerNL]

I am using an Acro laser from Open-builds, costed me around 450 in total including laser, excluding motherboard. This could be interesting alternative to that, as it price class is almost the same. But it would cost lot more effort. The acro laser is just a simple build with no printed parts. I do really like how they put the screen and probably the mother board on the carriage, this would simplify the cable management a lot!

[@StephenBoyd21]

I've been using my MPCNC for several months now. I've really loving it.

[@JasonOsbourn]

Do you have any issue with sawdust getting under the carriage wheels?

[@LuisCasstle]

@@JasonOsbourn Do you use a vacuum?

[@Lensfort]

You earned a sub for this. Well done!

[@BLBlackDragon]

Really need to look into making one of these. Not only is it customizable, it can be made to be portable.

[@007KellyBal]

Very cool project.

[@3DHP]

Great Video,You got me Interested in building one ,Thank You.

[@andrewknots]

Really cool, thank you

[@VectorRoll]

Can't wait to see your second part to this video. I'm really interested in seeing how you explain the software side of using the MPCNC. There really aren't many good tutorials on that area of it. At least not in setup calibrating/settings & using cam software to actually start cutting with the MPCNC. I built the original MPCNC and already printed out the parts for the LowRider vs as well. I just need to put the LowRider together to finish it. Anyways... I really can't wait to see if you can do a in depth video in the software side. I've come close to getting it working correctly but for some reason I just can't get the g-code just right. My last attempt almost seemed right. It did the drill holes right but when it dud the parameters it went crazy during the end pass and tried to drill downward while moving in some odd direction. Not sure why. Hopefully some day I'll get it working correctly.🥴 I will say that the test g-code for using a pen to draw a crown on a piece of paper worked perfectly.

[@paul.hesketh]

Thanks for the video Michael. Would be great to see the milling head as well as a laser head on the gantry.

[@BikerNic]

I love this idea.

[@basilkearsley2657]

Wow you read my mind. Just got a 3D printer and was looking for something practical to make with it and was looking at a CNC from thingivers, which I think is from the same stable as the one your putting together. Will be waiting for the next video, so please don’t make use wait long. Plus pLease don’t skimp of the wiring video as that’s the bit I find most challenging.

[@arcadebuilder533]

That's Awesome!!!

[@carbide1968]

cool project for sure.

[@eburger01]

Awesome project. Maybe in the part two, you can discuss a little why you would want a CNC router. For example what are the benefits of subtractive manufacturing over additive? Love the channel, love that you're a local, love that this clip doesn't have that terrible techno that your earlier videos had in the background.

[@Rsm583]

I became a patreon supporter after watching this. Encourage you to make more cnc videos!

[@matthew-1274]

just started my first CNC, to be low=riding soon!!!

[@kwonwon4863]

I have been waiting for this for so longgggg

[@poyacnc8740]

Very nice

[@inventanew]

amazing, subbed and liked!

[@marinusslabbertslav3822]

thank you very much.

[@coltonmccormack8978]

Nice! I just finished putting my Lowrider 2 together, and am currently porting the firmware to the BigTreeTech SKR 1.3 and Pro boards and adding laser engraving.

[@joeyhamilton6854]

How hard is it to upgrade the low rider from a CNC table to a laser cutter?

[@coltonmccormack8978]

@@joeyhamilton6854 Fairly easy. You just need to modify the firmware to use the PWM output of something like a fan or heater to control the laser driver and print a mount for it. The v1engineering site has a whole page on how to do it.

[@st0mper121]

Man something like this is what i been looking for. already cant wait to see your update after you use this for a month or 2. add a swap-able head to go from cutting to burning/engraving and im sold.....

[@GeoffreyPitman523]

It's already there. Many people have done MPCNC lasers, drag knives for vinyl stickers, needle cutters for foamboard, and even large scale 3D printers!

[@DormantIdeasNIQ]

After watching the entire series... I am pleasantly surprised that all my immediate questions are answered and my more in depth ones as well. Though the start 'If...' statement in the description had me almost walk away... change that to 'whether or not you own a 3D printer...' This long dissertation below may conflict with your OCD and ADHD. So, what's my point... 1. praise for this dude who provides us with such great information. 2. swell the debate, so more details enter the sauce. @Daaren Tarbard: Could not agree more, though I am a greenie and can easily make an arse of myself. But I know one thing, I can hide under a rock in such cases... and I usually increase my knowledge each time. I have watched a few presentations from this dude, and I am keeping an eye on all he throws out there... no fluff, no frills, no arsenine jokes, just wholesome technical info... What better can anyone expect! Incidentally, there is another dude on KZbin who bashes him as a plagiarist of his own work and cries like a baby dedicating an entire video on the matter... I watched one of his(the cry-baby) videos + his cry-baby-one and have written him off... he sucks! ...no wonder he is losing subscribers to this gent, here! so, I probably know more about 3D machining than most who have been thru their first month(24/7 56 hours week minimum) of trial and errors. ...but surely, nothing beats experience. Why such parameters? ...because that is what I spent for the last 3 years studying every aspects of this realm waiting for a machine that would fit my budget and requirement... and I believe I have finally found it in the Lowerider(2). ...retirement is near, and my research has paid off. But now I start my exploring this possibility, virtually still, before I plunge into the abyss. Note: although it only mentions routing and laser, I think this will also handle 3D print possibly with mods on the tracking. (small dream) I too am CNC bound... because after looking at 3D printing(in my case not artistic but mechanical) I am running into issues... even with nice ventilation, this crap will change your olfactory senses and perfume all your belongings to the like of burning electrical fragrance that won't leave you. Think the ole mechanic grease monkey with dirty finger nails. ok, all of which at this point is ahead-thinking, ZERO experience with any of it! So that I do not state over and over in my wording 'MECHANICAL', let me make it CLEAR all that I say below is with the MECHANICAL scenario in mind... and let us add that most of my output can be(is) of wood(haaa! the wonderful smell), and sporadically with various plastics, acrylics and aluminium. What I see is that no matter how I 3D, at some point I will need to CNC my concoctions. it could be said: to both 3D and CNC... OR to CNC only! ...and my neurons tell me why not go straight to the heart of the beast and skip all the hassles/idiosyncrasies and toxicity that come with the 3D setup and POOF!, with a minimum of iterations, voila, a live usable 3D piece/part! directly. ...and farm out my 3D printing needs... One thing that pushes me into this realm of thinking is that I am severely limited by space...ie: ambulatory. One rig, minimum wheels, no Barnum circus triple semi monster, not even a trailer... jackKnifeProof! ...and of course sometimes I need the monster size part that requires the bigger machine, and there goes my cubicle, utterly hijacked by one piece of equipment. This Lowrider is just what the doctor ordered. A CNC machine is but a lathe turned on its tail... with much greater automation... reduced setup, and much greater range and MASSIVELY less weight! I would bet that much of what used to be produced on lathe is now executed on CNC setups. With a proper game plan, it should at least match the capabilities of a lathe. If you have run a lathe, you know the massive time spent on executing all the steps/jigs to milling to a finished part. so, now go read my posts on part 3: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGi3nGmtjsRso9U ...don't be bashful, kick me in the arse if you so need to...

[@jcheff939]

LOVE this!!! The whole reason I bought my Ender 3 is to print parts for a CNC

[@florianchevalier7386]

Me too!

[@bunkie2100]

Same for me! Got mine on Monday eveniprinted a few of the upgrades and just now (Wednesday

[@bunkie2100]

... started printing my first Lowrider part!

[@carlycarlyle]

I would love to see more on how you get on with this as I plan to build a CNC plasma cutter.

[@JordyValentine]

I would hope you're planning to use something better than plastic for that haha

[@chemicalcorrosion]

Awesome video. I have built the MPCNC(4 ft x 4 ft), and it was a pleasure to put together.

[@GormanStudios]

im interested in making this on maybe a smaller scale due to space in my room, keep up the good work

[@GeoffreyPitman523]

Hi! I'd suggest taking a look at the regular MPCNC for a smaller build. No flat parts to buy/mill, and the dimensions can really be anything you like.

[@happninmojo]

Yes! Finally

[@Aleph-Noll]

thats pretty cool,

[@mikeneron]

Glad to see you getting into this project. I have been interested in getting into CNC after seeing this project several months ago and then seeing the Yeti CNC machine that is similar to the low rider idea. Can't wait to see how this turns out.

[@MikeysLab]

Greeeaatttt now i have to build one of these lol.

[@markhesketh6699]

Great video, do you have a video on making your tables?

[@Holey_Moley]

Cool idea! Just make sure you use encoders to account for any wheel slip

[@MrBrechtD]

I have to make this :D

[@rikilshah]

Your calm and composed narration makes it really easy to follow along. Great stuff!

[@Bishop0178]

I build one and it is a nice little project to get into building your own CNC. Soon after it was finished i replaced the pipes with proper solid linear rails to get rid of some of the deflection. Major improvement. It still is just a toy though. There is a reason, why CNC machines arn´t made out of plastic. It is a good entrypoint if you want to get into it and don´t want to spend thousands on it. But invest in proper precission ground round linear rails, which arn´t that expensive.

[@alexblackmore7744]

Have you got a link to the ones you used/recommend? Or did your source locally?

[@Bishop0178]

@@alexblackmore7744 I sourced them locally, but it is definitly possible to order them. They are generally not that expensive, just make sure you get the lengths and the diameter right. Get them cut to length also, makes life alot easier.

[@AlexDiluzio]

The spring couplers on the lead screws should be tensioned to increase rigidity. Take a slip jaw plier and stretch the coupler out a bit then tighten the grub screw. this prevents a gap between the screw and the motor that can decrease accuracy.

[@ricardomartins27]

Nice tutorial, i have been wanting to make one cnc with 3d print parts, looking forward for the next video, congratz.

[@jeffeberl12]

Check out the v1engineering forums. Post your build log there and we'll help you if you get stuck.

[@theanonomous9465]

Perfect timing with this video, I'm currently working on making something similar. love your content mate, keep it up. Excited to see this thing in action. :P

[@CJICantLie]

You could keep your z rails their current length and have a swap in 3d print extruder assembly to print truly massive things. I would suggest 1mm nozzle for large fast structural prints at that scale.

[@jr3628]

would the x axis (y axis?? side to side on the table not log ways) have enough rigidity to not have issues while moving? something like this that could print, etch and mill would be absolutely awesome!

[@chuxxsss]

Good work. Was think of one of these for our men shed. Have a great day. Thanks for sharing.

[@thomasheisler]

this perfectly awesome, and you could also make a second one and make an adjustable 3d printer, wount that be cool. I love this project, someone is going to make a lot of money

[@GeoffreyPitman523]

The designer of this machine sells the parts as a full time job, and provides support for free, regardless of where you bought the stuff.

[@LarryClay]

Great video, Michael. I have just finished building the MPCNC, not the LowRider. I will be ordering the stepper motors next. I plan on using the SKR v1.3 for the controller and can't wait for your video oh configuring Marlin for these routers. Thanks for all of your great videos. I think it is time to support you on Patreon!

[@GeoffreyPitman523]

My Patreon support inspired a whole series! So I'd totally suggest it!

[@jacquesgerber123]

Great video. I’ve been slowly chipping away at my Lowrider2 build as well. You can also try the 25mm chrome curtain rails/rods at Bunnings. Cheap and smooth

[@thebeststooge]

I wish it would easily do Aluminum but it needs to be rigid and repeatable.

[@barry99705]

@@thebeststooge I've not tried aluminum on the lowrider, but the mpcnc can do it.

[@thebeststooge]

@Barry Woods After having a discussion with two people on here it will but it will be very slow and very shallow depth of cuts. The thing is most people do that as they baby step up the parts to gain the rigidity they need. Plastic->Aluminum->Steel->Iron but I don't know if this machine can do that, or the mpcnc. Look at the plastic piece he held and he showed you the flex (I 3d print for 6 years now and no plastic I have tried will not flex which is bad for a CNC) so most people would use the machine to upgrade those parts in Aluminum at least but not sure you can easily do that with these?

[@EasyOne]

perfect...videos

[@MrStringybark]

What a GREAT project. I'm so tempted but space in the garage is limited. Damn it. Time to throw things out, I guess.

[@HowieNOR]

that was actually genious... i have wanted a large cnc for milling ply and mdf, but have not the space or the money to invest in one.. this could be the solution, since i can use my work-bench as a cnc table

[@mikewood3422]

Hi Mike, Great build as always - I have have said many times , you are a true inspiration to many new builders like myself. I wondered if you could share your print settings for PLA. I was thinking 4 bottom 4x top and 4x perimeter. Im using a 0.4 nozzle with 0.25 layer height ? any ideas ? I am using either 55% or 65% infill, and the triangular layout.

[@trondwell13]

Nice implement ion except for riding the wheels over wood chips.

[@jeffbeck6501]

The coolest part is the new accidental holes it puts in your nice table. Other than that though, the idea of using a table as the Y axis is a great one. But for what application? Routing? Not my nice table, no.

[@philipbyrnes7501]

Dear Michael, Thank you for the wonderful tutorials mate. Because of them and you I bought my first 3D printer, printed mobs of parts for it and for a number of projects and have now built a LowRider2 cnc so, thanks mate, I’m grateful for your inspiration. A couple of quick questions if I may. Firstly, where did you get the Velcro tubing that you used on your machine please? Secondly, being very new to this side of things, I went for the, I thought, simplest and most straightforward way ahead and bought all my bits from V1. After some correspondence with the aah gentleman it is a decision that I’ve come to regret and should have followed your advice in your videos more fully and bought the boards etc that you did. My question is as to how to set up end stops like you did when I now find that by not buying the most expensive controller board that he sells I’m told that I’m unable to do so with the one that I bought being a Mini-Rambo 1.3 which came with the bundle unlike the Rambo 1.4 which is $50 more expensive but not offered with the bundle and you aren’t told of the others limitations until long after sadly. Do you know if it is a possibility at all to do with the 1.3? I’ve also been learning Raspberry Pi’s and Arduinos recently and have found that some of these are very flexible and can be added onto to do some extraordinary things at a very reasonable price. Could some sort of breakout board be used to add full end stops capabilities to the mini Rambo 1.3 in the same way that you can add a breakout board and some driver boards to an arduino to give it the ability to drive 3 stepper motors? Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated mate and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, Take care, all my best to you and yours, Phil

[@myopinion69420]

I might build something like this for when i redo my kitchen. buying the cabinets in kit form works out really expensive. for the price of one corner cabinet i can buy the materials most of the kitchen cabinets. the only issue i was having is i suck at cutting things straight. if i made one larger than a sheet of melamine (i think our dining table is bigger), i could cad up the cupboards (already done) then just "print" them and screw them together.

[@rmojo23]

Thank you for this! I just replaced my Ender # mainboard with the 1.1.5. Would the old Ender board(1.1.3 /w updated Marlin) work on this project?

[@simonparkis9301]

Please do a video about the tables, would love to replicate

[@wings2004]

Do you have a video on how you made the table?

[@Hails8tn666]

I'm in the midst of printing one now!

[@buffalophil3630]

How did it go??

[@Hails8tn666]

REPTILIANMAN 626 I never got around to building it. All the parts are currently sitting in a draw lol. But they all printed fine, just took 100+ hours on my ender 3

[@buffalophil3630]

@@Hails8tn666 well shit bro at least you have the parts printed..i just bought my ender 3 2 days ago and a new laptop to mess with it..i guess we'll see how it works out haha..

[@FBPrepping]

This is offensive! Hey buddy, CNC has been around a long time ago. As a matter of fact, 3D printing is an evolution of CNC! Show some respect!! JUST KIDDING!! This is a wonderful project and I will subscribe to your channel. I am a CNCer but 3D printing is the perfect complement for my buildings.

[@projectigi]

Great

[@erwinvigilia6303]

I built the MPCNC, sadly not enough room for a LR2 (yet). Ryan sent me, awesome job! subbed and liked

[@juancastillo5673]

Thanks for this tutorial. This video will help save alot of time for alot of people. Looking foward to the next video

[@JoshVerderame]

Should do a shop tour at some point. What tabletops do you use. I want something like it for my setup

[@enb3810]

6:00 You could also use a cutting service IE sendcutsend

[@stephenkosloff6081]

Michael - THIS SEEMS TO BE A GOOD MACHINE - great video thanks - will i be able to extend the pipes on z axis to give me a 150mm cutting depth ?

[@kevint.8553]

Here in the US, we--you know, literally everyone (jk)--are taught, when screwing in/tightening bolts or whatever, to do them in opposite locations, i.e. upper left, then lower right, then upper right, then lower left, instead of in a "circle," as was done here.

[@captredbeard]

I know this is a 6 month old comment, but as a pipe fitter from America, we use both actually. We call the circle, “around the world” and is usually the start and end tightening pattern.