johnsmachines

machines which I have made, am making, or intend to make, and some other stuff. If you find this site interesting, please leave a comment. I read every comment and respond to most. n.b. There is a list of my first 800 posts in my post of 17 June 2021, titled "800 Posts"

Tag: Making a CNC Mill

October 22, 2024

CNC Mini Mill-4

After 3D printing the structural components of the mini mill, I had to wait for postage arrival of the bearings, hardened steel shafts, trapezoidal screws and nuts, stepper motors, and various electronic components.

I used my bandsaw and my full size mill to make the aluminum X,Y and Z plates and the base.

Most components have now arrived, and I have been assembling them. Photos follow. Unfortunately the steel shafts were all bent, and are unusable. I don’t know if that is the way they were made, or whether it occurred in the post. A bit frustrating. The most expensive components have been the breakout out board, and the ESS. Altogether I have spent more than $AUD1000, about double what I expected. So I hope that the little mill will meet expectations.

The Y axis plate, with attached linear bearings. I am very happy with the 3D printed components.
The Y axis plate attached to the base.
The mini mill as it is today. The X Y and Z axes are moving smoothly, but not yet powered of course. The CNC digital rotary axis has also been commenced, but some custom turned parts are yet to be made. I have the trapezoidal thread and spring loaded anti backlash nuts, and those will be next bits to be cut and installed.

Thinking about making the control box, but essential parts are yet to arrive. As you can see, it is taking shape.

….and Stuart T, has given permission for his plans and 3D printing files, the stl’s, to be published. I will do that when my build is completed. Not sure exactly how yet. I might need to get emails from interested viewers, and post them out directly. WATCH THIS SPACE.

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October 10, 2024

Next Project- A Mini CNC Milling Machine

I am so impressed with my new Qidi 3D printer (see previous post), that I am going to use it to attempt to make a CNC milling machine. The CNC “mini” milling machine was designed, and a prototype made, by my colleague and friend, Stuart Tankard, several years ago. So, the expert work has already been done.

This is Stuart and his several years old, self designed and made, mini CNC milling machine. I have seen it in action, and while it is small, it works very well. The complex structural components are 3d printed. The Y axis base, X and Z axis plates are milled. The stepper motors, electronic components, bearings, acme screws and nuts etc are available on Ebay and AliExpress. The main spindle is a Proxxon grinder/drill. Except for the 3D printer, I think that the mini mill, rotary CNC indexer, and vacuum plate will be able to be made for around $AUD500-600. I already have a licence for Mach3.

Stuart has very generously provided me with the mill plans, and stl files for 3D printing. And I hope that he will be available for advice when required.

I intend to detail the build on johnsmachines.com, and possibly on Ships of Scale. SOS because the initial stimulus came from my need for accurate drilling of parts on my USS Constitution model. The CNC milling will also be useful for machining small ship parts in wood, and soft metals. The machining limits are X 156mm, Y 96mm, Z 120mm.

The most expensive component is the Proxxon which cost $AUD250. I could have used a much less expensive Dremel but the general quality and collet system on the Proxxon is far superior. I have ordered some of the other components such as four Nema 17 steppers and six 8mm hard steel shafts, and will publish a tally of the exact costs as I progress.

So, if this project is of interest to you, please follow on. If it works out OK, maybe Stuart will make the plans available online.

And I am waiting for components to arrive before I can start assembling the rope serving/seizing machine. Yes… I do enjoy making machines.

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