How to make a mini milling machine- manual or CNC!

Step 14 CNC conversion

For converting the mill to CNC you need to make some stepper motor mounts and motor couplers. I made each motor mount from two 2 1/2" square 3/4" thick plywood blocks that are glued together (you could also use Delrin and make it as one piece.)

The mounts are very simple- just two 7/8" holes bored through them using a Forstner bit -one (on the end view of the drawing) is for the motor coupler to slide through and the other is so you can tighten the set screws on the motor coupler after the motor is mounted. There are four holes for mounting the motor and an additional two holes for screwing the motor mount to the mill.

The motor coupler is just a 5/8" diameter Aluminum rod with a 1/4" bore through it and a couple of set screws to fasten it to the stepper motor shaft and the ACME rod lead screw. Note that the dimension shown on the drawing for the length of the motor coupler is incorrect- it should be 1 1/4" long. You can buy the motor couplers here if you don't want to make them yourself.

The mounts are designed to accept a standard sized NEMA 23 stepper motor. These are very common and are easily obtained. I bought mine surplus for $15 each ( I don't remember where). The stepper motors shown are:
Superior Electric Slo-Syn
Model #M061-FD02
35oz in.
5v 1A
200 steps per revolution

I haven't yet decided what CNC controller I'll be using but I'm leaning toward either the Linistepper or the HobbyCNC ProDriver.

Both controllers are capable of driving a fourth axis (something I plan to add later on) and have had very positive reviews. The Linistepper is an open source controller and there are a couple of different versions of it floating around.

As soon as I can afford a controller I'll have a video of it making some cool parts!

Comments

[savant77]

Awesome mill Honus! Did you figure out how accurate it turned out to be? I imagine it is only as accurate as the tools you used to build it with. I already have a tabletop manual mill, now you gave me the idea to try and make it a cnc mill for easy operation. Thanks so much for taking the time to document this for the community.

[Honus]

After trying to mill circuit boards I just wasn't satisfied with the results so I started building a new CNC that is much more rigid- plus it will print 3D parts as well.

[hightekrednek2396]

how much did the linear rails cost

[Honus]

I don't remember the exact amount since I got them a year ago but I think they were around $600.

[saurav.maepal]

gud work dude......m also going to make dis......hope i'll make....

[nickmiletich]

Honus, can you build it for me and send it to the address below... lol.  Great work and amazing sketches!  I look forward to seeing your V2 cnc mill.  Thanks for sharing!

[Honus]

I'll get right on it! :) Glad you like it- the second version will be much more advanced in terms of construction and capability.

[Blackice504]

this is a great instructable professional plans but i am sure if i build this my house may detonate or catch fire lol. if you looking for a cheap stepper motor controller you might be able to cheat. if you can get your hands on a plotter controller board they have very large stepper motors and you should be able to use them and just draw and then Print.

[MaddMann]

Dude - really nice, and a great job on the 'ible. So, does it work well? Can you post some pics of some of your milled creations?

[Honus]

I've actually already disassembled it! I'm in the middle of building a much better machine that will be much easier to replicate and it will perform about 100 times better- I just wasn't happy with this one. It's pretty hard to build so that there isn't any slop or binding on the rails.

[Woodie49]

Are you going to post the new machine?

[Honus]

You bet!

[juliceci]

can you please send me the parts list and all information about the motors etc on the email below [e-mail]

[Honus]

I don't understand? Everything is listed right here- you can even view the entire instructable in pdf format.