CNC Router

Phoenix Build Pictorial

DAY 3

Day 4

The centering blocks require that the alignment hole be tapped so I am tapping them in this picture. Completing all four block did take quite some time.

Next on the list to cut is the motor and bearing walls. So here I am getting ready to cut out the motor wall.

After the initial cut of the motor and bearing walls, I used my table saw to get the desired width called for in the plans.

Ok, all finished, that motor and bearing walls that is. At this point they look like two normal pieces of wood. But they are about to be transformed into something of greater value.

Both walls need to be drilled and tapped as they will be assembled to the base and deck. Until reading John's plans I never new MDF could be tapped. It actually taps really well.

Here I am drilling the holes necessary for the walls. These holes will be what the gas pipes will be aligned with.

Another hole being drilled.

Here the bearing wall is almost done. As far as the drilling is concerned.

Ok, both the motor and bearing walls have been drilled and ready for the centering blocks.

I decided to go ahead and cut the gas pipe. Oops! After cutting the first pipe I noticed that the pipe was the wrong diameter. Lucky I kept the receipt so I will be able to exchange the second pipe.

Because the scrap piece of PVC was a little more then 2" I decided to not worry about cutting it down. After all as long as the center hole is on center that is what matters. To help align the centering blocks with walls, I used a wooden dowel which made the process very easy. The centering blocks mount with bolts as you can see in the picture below.

Oh, and the mounting holes need to be tapped so I'm doing that in the picture below.

Well both the motor and bearing walls are almost complete. The center holes need a few more holes to be drilled, but I'm going to wait until I get the stepper motor and end bearing.

I just could not resist, I had to bolt the walls, base and deck together to see how it looks so far. Not too bad. It actually looks like it should in John's plans.

I'll have more pictures as my progress continues. If you are interested in building a CNC Router I hope this build pictorial is an inspiration that it can be done. I highly suggest you purchase John's plans from his website as they are very detailed and easy to follow. I basically just take one page at a time. John's website is once again http://www.crankorgan.com

Back to Day 2 or ahead to Day 4