I’ve decided to upgrade my trusty CNC machine to a larger unit. There are several small problems with the current machine, some by design, and some in my execution.
By design, the machine has a 24″x48″ table, but it can only utilize about 20″x40″ of that. My machine is slightly more restricted because of the way I built it, and I can only achieve 18″x36″ cuttable area (ok, it’s closer to 19″x38″, but if I need to get “outside” a part to cut it, then this is about the limit of part size).
Because the machine was hand-cut and hand-drilled, there are several places where bolts aren’t going through exactly where they should, which in most cases is not a severe enough problem for me to worry about it, but in a couple of places, I needed to re-cut the parts (with the CNC itself, naturally) so that the cuts were more accurate.
In short, I was about ready to cut out a new machine anyway, and was deciding on a full 24″x48″ machine, when Kristi mentioned that she had a couple project ideas in mind, all of which would require a larger bed than that.
So, the 4’x8′ project was born.
I bought the plans for a Blackfoot v4.1 router today, and I’m looking the plans over to see how to compress the 4 sheets of parts into 18″x36″ areas.
I also put the frame of the CNC machine back together. I still need to install motors and get the computer hooked up and running, but I’m getting closer there.
I need to start working on this now so that I can get the machine up and running in time to fab some holiday decorations and Christmas presents.
Sawdust is in the near future.