Build a 3 axis milling machine for under $100

Hot Topics:

By Matt Mets
Posted 2010/06/09 @ 10:21 am
Category Robotics

For his final project in the course How To Make (almost) Anything, David Carr designed and built this
3-axis CNC milling machine. It’s probably not the most precise or powerful device, but it costs less than $90 to build, and can mill PCBs, wood, and even light steel. Drawings and schematics are available on his website.

In the Maker Shed

Cube 3D Printer

Getting Started with Raspberry Pi

Telegraph Decoder Kit by Spikenzie Labs

Arduino Uno Rev 3 (Make SMD Version)

5 Responses to Build a 3 axis milling machine for under $100

Joe Zimmerman on June 9th, 2010 at 11:11 am said:

I’m thinking a real stepper driver might be safer on your parallel port. Any more details how you plan to keep your PC isolated from damage would be nice.

Reply ↓
tigerzero on June 9th, 2010 at 11:16 am said:

Impressive results! This kind of makes me wonder how well mine would machine PCBs/steel. Well… now I’m going to have to try it Kudos to David for his economical design!

Reply ↓
https://me.yahoo.com/a/P5K7XH9kg5VnMXn4Aqv_BcR5YFxxDhidh9kmpQ--#342e9 on June 9th, 2010 at 1:44 pm said:

I’ve been wanting to try my hand at building a *cheap* CNC machine for quite a while. This looks perfect (apart from the lack of build explanation and/or detailed docs).

However, I’ve looked at the parts list but I can’t figure out the supplier codes. Anyone have an idea what these refer to?

VXB
SDP-SI
McM

Including the part numbers was a nice touch!

Good job, David!

Reply ↓
- tigerzero on June 9th, 2010 at 1:56 pm said:
  
  Hmm, I know SDP-SI is stock drive products (https://sdp-si.com/eStore/), I bought my toothed belts and pulleys from them.
  
  VXB appears to be a skateboard bearing company (http://www.vxb.com/), I know I was originally looking at rollerblade ABEC bearings for some of my parts, they’re very reasonably priced.
  
  And I’m guessing McM is McMaster-Carr (http://www.mcmaster.com/), which is pretty much the best site ever ( I <3 ).
  
  Hope that helps!
  
  Reply ↓
Jeremy on June 10th, 2010 at 12:26 am said:

http://makeyourbot.org/
http://makeyourbot.blogspot.com/

Reply ↓