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by csshop / CNC Snap.com on April 6, 2011

Intro: DIY CNC - Constructing an affordable CNC kit

I have always dreamed of having a CNC and window shopped all the time on the internet. Finally, I made my own to share with others.

Ninety percent of my parts were acquired from junk or unused stuff. It doesn't look pretty but it works. I took my first CNC apart to improve on my first design and I hope it helps other people. This particular CNC I believe is the easiest and cheapest way people can do it themselves.

Video of CNC cutting wood and birds-eye view of pen plotter


Parts:

• Laminated Particle Board or whatever smooth flat surface wood is easy
  for you to work with. I used an old bathroom cabinet.; @ hardware store
• two feet of 1/2 inch PVC Pipe; $ @2 hardware store
• four 1/2 inch PVC elbows; $4 @ hardware store
• one foot of 1/4 inch PVC Pipe; $1 @ hardware store
• six inches of 1/4 inch Copper Pipe; $ @ hardware store
• two 1/4 inch x 20 threaded rod and three nuts to match; $10 @ hardware store
• Copper Pipe Hangers; $2 @ hardware store
• Gas Line Hose that snugly fits the threaded rod; $3/ft. @ auto parts store
• handful of screws and nuts & bolts
• four data staples: $1 @ hardware store
• glue: Gorilla Glue, Super Glue
• Craft Foam; $.50 @ Hobby Lobby

Tools:

• Saw to cut wood
• Pipe Cutter
• Screwdriver
• Level
• Tape Measure & Ruler
• Pencil & Sharpie
• Drill & Bits

Step 1: X Axis
You will construct the X axis with plywood. It's just a box.
You will need to cut out these pieces
two 8 1/4 x 2 1/2"
one 10 x 2 1/2"
one 8 x 1 1/2 x 1 1/2"
Construct like the picture above, making sure it's perfectly square.
Image Notes
1. fastened by two wood screws on both sides and bottom
Image Notes
1. Predrilling the holes makes it easier to assemble.

Image Notes
1. Side-view
Image Notes
1. Top-view
Step 2: Glue the bearings
Use Gorilla Glue on the corner. Gorilla Glue expands 3x it's size so apply sparingly. Clamp down the PVC pipe and let dry overnight.
Step 3: Z Axis
You need to cut out the following plywood pieces for the Z axis:
one 3 1/2 x 5"
one 4 1/4 x 3 1/2"
one 4 1/2 x 2 1/2"

Image Notes
1. Assembly may be different. I ran out of bearings and shaft for my Z axis. I went
to the hardware store and bought screw shaft and stainless steel tube
Image Notes
1. Use copper pipe hangers to secure the bearings in place.
Image Notes
1. gas hose
Image Notes
1. Shape the copper pipe hanger slightly to the size of the nut. Secure as
shown with wood screws.
Image Notes
1. This hole is for the Dremel's Flex Shaft to go through.
Image Notes
1. This back board is secured with wood screws.
Image Notes

1. Side-view

Image Notes

1. Top-view

Step 2: Glue the bearings
Use Gorilla Glue on the corner. Gorilla Glue expands 3x it's size so apply sparingly. Clamp down the PVC pipe and let dry overnight.


Step 3: Z Axis
You need to cut out the following plywood pieces for the Z axis:
one 3 1/2 x 5"
one 4 1/4 x 3 1/2"
one 4 1/2 x 2 1/2"
Image Notes
1. Assembly may be different. I ran out of bearings and shaft for my Z axis. I went
to the hardware store and bought screw shaft and stainless steel tube
Image Notes
1. Use copper pipe hangers to secure the bearings in place.
Image Notes
1. gas hose
Image Notes
1. Shape the copper pipe hanger slightly to the size of the nut. Secure as
shown with wood screws.
Image Notes
1. This hole is for the Dremel's Flex Shaft to go through.
Image Notes
1. This back board is secured with wood screws.

Step 4: Base
Cut two PVC pipes to 8 1/4".
On the elbow there will be a crease, draw a pencil mark.
Measure the 3/4" from the top and you will have your center-point.
Drill holes in PVC elbow. The holes should be the same size of your shaft.
Image Notes
1. This is wrong. It's 8 x 7 3/4".

Step 5: Putting the Xaxis and base together
The table is 8 x 7 3/4". Screw the table to the PVC pipe. Make sure everything is square. Do not glue PVC pipes together just yet. Make sure everything slides freely. You
may have to adjust it.
Image Notes
1. Bottom-view

Step 6: Lead Screw
When installing lead screw, you have to notch out the PVC pipe.
Use pipe hanger to hold the nut.
Image Notes
1. Nut and hanger installed in the center of the X axis.

Image Notes
1. I mounted this extra board so I can mount the stepper motor.

Step 7: Y Axis

Installing the shaft in this step. There's no right or wrong way to do this. It's just the way I did it. As long as everything is square.
1. Measure from the base up, mark and drill. The first screw is a guide.
2. Place shaft and mark the second drill hole.

Step 8: Shock Absorber & Mounts

1. I cut and glued four pieces of craft foam to the bottom.

Image Notes
1. The motor screw was replaced with a longer one to penetrate through the wood.
2. A dab of super glue to keep it from sliding out.