Different Skills, Different Options

A number of builders have said this is the first time they have undertaken a project of this sort, and they appreciate any extra guidance.

Other builders have a lifetime of hands-on experience and only want dimensioned directions.

These plans were written with the perspective that it is better to share too much information, rather than too little.
An earnest effort has been made to address virtually every question that has come this way over the years.

Yes, this includes. "What is a 2x4?" I must confess, I did not see that one coming, but we all have to get our information from somewhere. These plans attempt to be as clear and straightforward as possible.

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Some will be able to build the machines by looking at the images and dimensions. Others will find the additional text helpful.

Plan Books

Multiple plans for a variety of options.

The manuals were created to help as many Do-It-Yourself builders as possible. These range from the novice with a minimum of tools, to the shop that wants to add CNC, but lacks the budget, or desire, to buy a commercially produced machine.
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The 25 x 25 plans are over 90 pages, and include nearly 400 images. The directions for this machine were written for those who have limited experience with this type of project, and only have a minimum of tools.

The building process is explained in a step by step manner, and each part is thoroughly described with text, dimensioned drawings and multiple perspective drawings.

This plan includes templates for a number of the components; these greatly simplify the layout process. The templates are printed as pages in the manual, and are scaled to full size. The dimensions are printed on the templates for cross-checking.
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The Rack/Leadscrew plans are for those who have a modest shop, and are familiar with their tools. These plans are over 140 pages with hundreds of perspective and dimensioned drawings. The manual includes step by step written instructions, as well as full scale templates for a number of the components.
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The 13 x 13 plans manual is over 40 pages and includes photographs as well as dimensioned CAD drawings. This machine was designed to be as inexpensive and simple as possible.
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The manuals are professionally printed in black and white by a commercial printing shop. The photos have been optimized to accommodate the limitations of short run printings.

The plans are comb bound, so they can lie flat when placed on a workbench, and the pages are arranged in the building sequence.
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These plans do not include directions for the software and electronics. This information is covered by the recommended software and stepper suppliers.

These plans do address the Step per Unit values needed to configure the software.

The machines were all designed to use the stepper and drive systems from Xylotex and HobbyCNC. The recommended software is Mach3 or TurboCNC. Other software and motor suppliers can be used.

The above vendors work with the Do It Yourself market, and supply documentation and help forums for their products.

 


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