http://diylilcnc.org/forum/tags/tool Free, open-source plans for a low-cost 3-axis CNC mill by Taylor Hokanson and Chris Reilly. Sponsored by the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. en-US Fri, 18 May 2012 00:09:20 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://diylilcnc.org/forum/search.php http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/dremel-on-sale/page/2#post-994 Sat, 14 Apr 2012 23:32:44 +0000 gera229 994@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Have you guys ever tried the Black &amp; Decker RTX rotary tool?</p> <p>It's about half the price of the Dremel 4000 and is 2 amps (So I say it's a pretty powerful rotary tool). Not sure how the reliability compares, but reviews from the walmart website seem to be quite good and same from amazon.</p> <p>Let me know if anyone has tried or will try it.</p> <p>Has 3-speed adjustment speeds (12,000, 24,000, and 30,000 rpm).<br /> Is this good enough to cut various different types of material? </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/cutting-acrylic#post-939 Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:44:57 +0000 Taylor 939@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>@kerchen,</p> <p>You could also try exporting multiple toolpaths that start at different heights in the material. With this solution you'd run each file and wait for the bit to cool in between. You could also look at adding "dwells" at different parts of the .NC file by hand, but you'd want to make sure the dwell happens out of contact with the stock to be cut.</p> <p>Example: G4 P5, where G4 means "dwell" and P5 means 5 seconds. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/cutting-acrylic#post-933 Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:29:06 +0000 Chris 933@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Paul, as with any material, the bit makes all the difference. This becomes especially apparent with acrylic. </p> <p>Generally speaking, you want a bit that clears away a good amount of material to minimize heat. A bit with one or two <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milling_cutter#Features_of_a_milling_cutter">flutes</a> is a good start. Also you'll want to use a relatively slow spindle speed, and a faster feed rate (you'll probably need to experiment as this will depend on a lot of factors).</p> <p>Here are a couple good sources for bits specifically made to cut plastic:</p> <p><a href="http://www.onsrud.com/xlink/xtdlkSearchProdFtLst&amp;xtdlksearchprodlst_xcrit1=C1ACUTC2AMTCC3HPLAS&amp;xtdLkSearchClassesProdLst_CN=Hard%20Plastic&amp;xtdlksearchclassesprodlst_xcrit1=%20plastic">Onsrud</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.mcmaster.com/#end-mills/=gj8y3a">McMaster-Carr</a> </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/cutting-acrylic#post-928 Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:09:37 +0000 kerchen 928@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>I'm making a control panel for an electronics project and so I've been trying to cut some reasonably thin acrylic (0.093") using my mill. My approach has been to cut it using multiple passes through the material, taking anywhere from 0.005 to 0.01 off in each pass, using a feed rate between 5 and 6. I've tried a few different kinds of bits (1/8" mill end, 1/8" round burr and v-shaped), but the results seem to be the same: once the bit is about half-way into the material, it gets heated up to the point where it starts to melt the acrylic. :( Occasionally I'll get a good cut, but those results aren't repeatable. Does anyone have any tips for cutting acrylic without melting?</p> <p>Thanks!<br /> Paul </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/v2-spindlecutting-tool#post-912 Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:31:07 +0000 tj 912@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>What about an air engraver? Off the mighty ebay you can purchase one form around $40 US on up. I have a $300+ turbine one, in a pen style that spins 400,000 RPMs, most though spin 55,000 +/-. They have low volume requirements so an airbrush compressor can drive them. Come to think of it an airbrush might be a fun a attachment too.</p> <p>With a pen holder already designed, and at such low cost if you already have compressed air, seems like a worth while experiment.</p> <p>Also I'm contemplating on construction of a flood-able cutting table. This would require design modification, raising the X axis tracks, lowering the cutter, and getting another construction material involved. But when the task called for it, the addition of water would increase the longevity of cutters when working with harder materials, or rather soft metals, marble and such. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/v2-spindlecutting-tool#post-897 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:50:30 +0000 Taylor 897@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>@Chris,</p> <p>Does your landlord know you've got that? ;) </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/v2-spindlecutting-tool#post-895 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:40:38 +0000 jonniee 895@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>The problem I found with the <a href="http://productreviewsnow.org/the-dremel-4000-review">Dremel 4000</a> is that it is too big and a bit too heavy for smaller jobs if you have to hold it for long periods of time, but a simple way around this is to get the 6/50 model where you get the Flex Shaft attachment. As an alternative you could opt for the <a href="http://productreviewsnow.org/the-dremel-4000-review">Dremel 300</a> which is lighter. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/v2-spindlecutting-tool#post-894 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 06:34:05 +0000 Chris 894@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ Ran some tests tonight using the WeCheer HD Flexshaft Power Carver. Compared to the Dremel, it is a huge step up. I'm not sure what kind of bearings the WeCheer uses, but the collet seems much more stable than the Dremel, which wobbled quite a bit.<br /> <br /> Check it out:<br /> <br /> <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0HSw4akeAw0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/diylilcnc/6429405111/" title="DIYLILCNC V2 Hardware Tests by DIYLILCNC, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6034/6429405111_52a741d4d5.jpg" width="374" height="500" alt="DIYLILCNC V2 Hardware Tests"/></a> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/v2-spindlecutting-tool#post-874 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 03:57:29 +0000 shapeoko 874@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Just so there's no confusion. I do not *recommend* the cnconabudget.com 3 speed spindle. Yes, I own one, and yes I occasionally cut with it, but it's nothing more than a glorified Dremel. There is noticeable runout on mine and I don't think it justifies the price tag over a regular $40 dremel.</p> <p>With that being said, it looks nice, is a little quieter than a dremel 300, and is straight forward enough to work in most situations. But again, it's not any better than a regular dremel. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/v2-spindlecutting-tool#post-861 Fri, 30 Sep 2011 04:59:10 +0000 Ming 861@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Grumpygeek's CNC <a href="http://grumpygeek.com/?p=415">uses</a> a <a href="http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/R2400-Laminate-Trimmer/EN/index.htm">Ridgid R2400</a> and he was considering a <a href="http://www.dewalt.com/tools/fastening-cut-out-tools-dw660.aspx">DeWalt 660</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/R2400-Laminate-Trimmer/EN/index.htm">Ridgid R2400</a><br /> 20,000 - 30,000 RPM.<br /> 6amp<br /> 1/4" collet.<br /> $100 on <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware/h_d1/N-5yc1vZarnkZ12l2/R-100337039/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&amp;storeId=10051&amp;catalogId=10053">Home Depot</a>.<br /> 3lbs, roughly 3 times as heavy as a Dremel 300.</p> <p><a href="http://www.dewalt.com/tools/fastening-cut-out-tools-dw660.aspx">DeWalt 660</a><br /> 30,000 max RPM, no indication of having a speed dial.<br /> 5amp<br /> 1/8" and 1/4" collet.<br /> $60 on <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100634645/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&amp;storeId=10051&amp;catalogId=10053">Home Depot</a>!<br /> 3.2lbs. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/v2-spindlecutting-tool#post-855 Sat, 24 Sep 2011 01:24:33 +0000 Chris 855@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>In the search for a new cutting tool to replace the Dremel 300, here are a few attributes we're looking for (see a few specific tools outlined below):</p> <p>Variable speeds (ideally about 10-30,000 RPM.<br /> More power than the ~1.2A Dremel.<br /> Collet for bits up to 1/4" diameter.<br /> Similar price range to the $60 Dremel 300.<br /> Similar weight to the 18oz. Dremel 300 (extra weight requires an over-engineered gantry).<br /> Widely available for purchase.</p> <ul> <li> <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/shapeoko">Ed Ford</a> <strike>recommends</strike> used the <a href="http://www.cnconabudget.com/">3Speed spindle from <a href="http://www.cnconabudget.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.cnconabudget.com/</a></a></p> <ul> <li>Pro: <ul> <li>It's a real spindle </li> <li>3 speeds </li> <li>~$100 is a reasonable price point </li> </ul> </li> <li>Con: <ul> <li>harder to get (their production is limited) </li> <li>optimized for PCB milling; how will it handle other materials? </li> <li>looks like a small collet - hard to tell &amp; no specs!</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="http://www.rotozip.com/en-us/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=RZ2000_1">Rotozip RZ2000</a> <ul> <li>Pro: <ul> <li>Variable speed </li> <li>6-amp motor; pretty powerful </li> <li>up to ¼" bit </li> <li>Specifically made for a range of materials </li> <li>Widely available </li> </ul> </li> <li>Con: <ul> <li>Very heavy; 8lbs </li> <li>Expensive: ~$150 </li> <li>Has flex shaft attachment that's limited to ⅛" bit &amp; lower RPM </li> <li>Not sure what collet/chuck style this uses; may be proprietary</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Tools/Pages/ToolDetail.aspx?pid=4000">Dremel 4000 </a> <ul> <li>Pro: <ul> <li>Variable speed </li> <li>widely available </li> <li>Cheap: ~$70 </li> <li>1.6-amp motor; ~.5 amps more than the 300 </li> <li>About the same weight as 300 (~18 oz) </li> <li>Uses a collet </li> </ul> </li> <li>Con: <ul> <li>Limited to 1/8" bit</li> <li>Not sure if the power jump is enough to matter</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="http://www.traditionalwoodworker.com/1_3-HP-HD-Flexshaft-Power-Carver-Table-Top-Speed-Control/productinfo/247-3301T/">WeCheer HD Flexshaft Power Carver</a> <ul> <li>Pro: <ul> <li>Flexshaft eliminates weight problem </li> <li>Variable Speed (up to 26,000 RPM) </li> <li>1/4", 1/8" and 3/32" Collets </li> <li>powerful; ⅓ horsepower </li> </ul> </li> <li>Con: <ul> <li>Very expensive; almost $200</li> <li>Not sure how flex shaft will perform </li> <li>Not widely available</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.dewalt.com/tools/woodworking-routers-dwp611.aspx">Dewalt Compact Trim Router</a></p> <ul> <li>Pro: <ul> <li>Variable Speed: 16,000 - 27,000rpm</li> <li>up to 1/4" collet</li> <li>7 Amps; very powerful</li> <li>Widely available</li> </ul> </li> <li>Con <ul> <li>Heavy; just over 4#</li> <li>Expensive; ~$140</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/my-pvc-build/page/2#post-743 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 02:50:39 +0000 Chris 743@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>@amigaman, very cool -- congrats! Please send some pictures along when you get a chance. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/my-pvc-build#post-742 Sun, 20 Feb 2011 19:58:49 +0000 amigaman 742@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>I was able to cut my first part last week on the PVC DIYLILCNC machine. I used some of the sample files that came withthe software. next step is to learn how to convert Autocad files into CAM. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/my-pvc-build#post-741 Sun, 20 Feb 2011 19:57:45 +0000 amigaman 741@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>PVC glue is going to weld (think melt) the pieces together into one very strong piece. You can use the same stuff that plumbers use for the pipes in your home. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/my-pvc-build#post-663 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 16:45:56 +0000 jimmycakes 663@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>I'm researching making the bed for a PVC build I will be making. I see that when using MDF you guys use wood glue. What if I were to make the bed from PVC. What would one use for adhearing added spans? PVC glue? I feel like that would just fall apart over time. </p>