I got inspired for this instructable when I viewed the Easy To Build Stepper Controller
instructable .When I read the instructable I knew I could make a decent looking and functioning cnc machine for under 20 dollars with a recycled twist, Not to mention I did this in under a week.
I expect you to have basic knowledge on power tools and hand tools
and of course this instructable requires you to have a rotary tool such as a dremel.
Even if you don't have knowledge on power tools or hand tools I advise you to try this instructable because you will learn a lot about hand and power tools and you can build this for less then 20 dollars
so if you mess up it's no biggie and it would not cost to much to replace a part.
Let's Build!
Update 02/01/10
{Hi everyone just thought I would give you an update on this instructable since Ive been getting
a lot of emails and messages and such.
I'm getting really close to completing the electronics for the CNC,
as stated in a comment the steppers I found in the printer were bi-polar stepper motors which the circuit
would cost quite a bit more if you went this route. If you were lucky to find some Unipolar stepper motors
then you could build the electronics for under 3 bucks however unipolar motors have less torque. I will be selling CNC kits soon and they will be of better build quality as well as a cheap price tag because I know how it is to be on a budget and not have the tools I need to create simple things and even complex things and this world needs more DIY builders.
The CNC kits will be available roughly 1 to 2 weeks after the electronics Instructable has been released
their will actually be a video showing this CNC working when the electronics Instructable is completed}
instructable .When I read the instructable I knew I could make a decent looking and functioning cnc machine for under 20 dollars with a recycled twist, Not to mention I did this in under a week.
I expect you to have basic knowledge on power tools and hand tools
and of course this instructable requires you to have a rotary tool such as a dremel.
Even if you don't have knowledge on power tools or hand tools I advise you to try this instructable because you will learn a lot about hand and power tools and you can build this for less then 20 dollars
so if you mess up it's no biggie and it would not cost to much to replace a part.
Let's Build!
Update 02/01/10
{Hi everyone just thought I would give you an update on this instructable since Ive been getting
a lot of emails and messages and such.
I'm getting really close to completing the electronics for the CNC,
as stated in a comment the steppers I found in the printer were bi-polar stepper motors which the circuit
would cost quite a bit more if you went this route. If you were lucky to find some Unipolar stepper motors
then you could build the electronics for under 3 bucks however unipolar motors have less torque. I will be selling CNC kits soon and they will be of better build quality as well as a cheap price tag because I know how it is to be on a budget and not have the tools I need to create simple things and even complex things and this world needs more DIY builders.
The CNC kits will be available roughly 1 to 2 weeks after the electronics Instructable has been released
their will actually be a video showing this CNC working when the electronics Instructable is completed}
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Signing UpStep 1: Find recycled material
Now this is the most enjoyable part of building the cnc machine
which is trying to find garbage that people want to throw away.
Here's what you need to locate
Flat bed scanner
Old printer
These two items are going to have your juicy stepper motors and the
beautiful harden steel rods, that's not the only thing you can get out of these green machines.
You will find gears, bushings, cold cathodes, capacitors, buttons, parallel ports and there is
so much more.
which is trying to find garbage that people want to throw away.
Here's what you need to locate
Flat bed scanner
Old printer
These two items are going to have your juicy stepper motors and the
beautiful harden steel rods, that's not the only thing you can get out of these green machines.
You will find gears, bushings, cold cathodes, capacitors, buttons, parallel ports and there is
so much more.
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move it on
From my understanding they take G-code (or a vector drawing and turn it into G-code) and output a signal through a serial port or usb or something?
Can someone who knows stuff confirm this?
like a ruler or a quarter so fourth.
You could also check the dimensions in step 3
I no longer have the cnc machine anymore I sold it
so I can't really provide those specs
could i use those to make this?
http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1201
I'm not affiliated with Pololu just passing along the information.
I've built some for a little cheaper but really for the extra $2 you may save just buy them! OK the ones I made may be a little beefier. But still ...
Video of my homemade $10 stepper motor drivers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgbeyNNBZ68
Can't even really see it reversing at 800RPM.
Difficult and time consuming vs. plug it in and go.
UHMW is also almost twice the price of HDPE which for the person with the shallow pockets would really not appreciate.
I really do like everyone throwing out there ideas because this was an instructablefor someone to get an idea and develop my design into something that suits them or maybe if they want to spend a little more you could upgrade the material or purchase nice steppers. Whatever it maybe I wanted to show that 20 bucks and lots of searching time could make you something cool and possibly useful if you put the time into building it correctly.