The Wife Wants A Bigger One.....

[kev]

I told the wife that I was going to buy a new toy....

I explained what a CNC was and what some of the projects I could make with it. I told her that I was looking at a hobby size 3018 that could also be run as a laser engraver. She has her own ideas for projects and kept asking what was the next size.

Anyway, now that I have your attention, I should be the proud owner of a 3018 size hobby CNC in the next 2 weeks.

[wilmar]

Do you have a link I been looking but. Have no idea what to get ??


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[kev]

Well, most of the 3018 models all seem to be similar (if not exact) design so I went with this one on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I wanted to get one that could reliably mill PCBs along with other small projects. After viewing a few YouTube videos of various 3018 offerings, I settled on this one. If anything, this platform will provide hands-on learning. If it all works out as planned, I will build a larger CNC from the ground up. Something that can handle a 30" long piece of hardwood for bigger projects that my wife has in mind.

[wilmar]

Well, most of the 3018 models all seem to be similar (if not exact) design so I went with this one on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I wanted to get one that could reliably mill PCBs along with other small projects. After viewing a few YouTube videos of various 3018 offerings, I settled on this one. If anything, this platform will provide hands-on learning. If it all works out as planned, I will build a larger CNC from the ground up. Something that can handle a 30" long piece of hardwood for bigger projects that my wife has in mind.

Nice I looked at that one too wife gave approval to get for my birthday but after some thought I may wait as I could use a drill press more right now lol .


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[steve123]

Check out the TopsCNC open source project. I am in the process of putting the "heavy" version together in a 1500mm x 1500mm configuration.

https://createforcuriosity.com/en/de...Mwl8kL/details

[Jeff Millard]

Check out the TopsCNC open source project. I am in the process of putting the "heavy" version together in a 1500mm x 1500mm configuration.

https://createforcuriosity.com/en/de...Mwl8kL/details

That’s a dream machine right there!

Jeff

[Srmorgan]

You’ll have to share how you got your wife on your side. I’m want to get a mig welder but she disagrees. Thinks I will burn the house down.

[kev]

Check out the TopsCNC open source project. I am in the process of putting the "heavy" version together in a 1500mm x 1500mm configuration.

https://createforcuriosity.com/en/de...Mwl8kL/details

I purchased the 3018 mostly as a learning tool and for PCBs. Not sure if the larger format CNCs can do the finer work required for PCBs. But I do see a larger machine in my future and probably one that I buy the parts and build myself. What is the approximate cost of the one you are building?

[Kev7274]

I believe I have this coming for my birthday
https://www.bobscnc.com/collections/...cnc-router-kit

[steve123]

I purchased the 3018 mostly as a learning tool and for PCBs. Not sure if the larger format CNCs can do the finer work required for PCBs. But I do see a larger machine in my future and probably one that I buy the parts and build myself. What is the approximate cost of the one you are building?

So far I think I've spent about $500 for the aluminum, lead screws, printer filament, router and the steppers. I purchased the aluminum channel and lead screws from a supplier in China. Some other stuff from Amazon. I got most of the fasteners locally. I need to pick up a few more parts (stepper drivers) ... I got distracted with setting up my first pixel display so I had to put the CNC aside in the fall.

I will also need to build a table to put it on. Trying to decide if I want to mount it on a hinge against a wall in my garage so I can lift it out of the way when I am not using it. 1500mm is almost 60 inches so it will be a sizeable bed ... I'll be able to mill all sorts of props for my lights and mill the PVC pipe for the pixels. Should be able to make some new cabinets for our kitchen as well.

I saw a guy from Germany made some additional improvements on the heavy version. He changed the lead screws for ball screws, used a linear bearing for the z-axis and changed the router mount for a 1.5kW spindle. There are a couple YouTube videos posted by the guy from France who put the project together. He did quite a good job with the videos ... if you get a chance, you have have a look, here are the links. The first link is the video of the original CNC design. He then improved the design, tore the original design down and rebuilt it and called it the "heavy" version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekYS...re=emb_rel_end

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIgIz47WK7Y