Mike's CNC Router Adventure

[mikes]

As I may have mentioned, I have no real experience with machining metal, except for the hacking I have done when building a mostly all aluminum 3D printer, and now this CNC router project. However, I am a woodworker, and know a little about working hardwood. Lucky for me, there are a lot of similarities between working very hard wood like Ipe, and aluminum.

Marty, you asked if I cut and then milled the ends of the extruded aluminum for trueness. I wish I could, but I have nothing to mill with. I have a router table, but I would hardly call using a router table on aluminum, milling. First off it is kind of dangerous. You really need to know what you are doing when working aluminum with a woodworking router table. I cut the ends of the extruded aluminum on my table saw. That is where I cut the majority of the aluminum pieces used in constructing the CNC router. Below is a picture of a setup for cutting the connection plates used to attach the linear modules and the gantry.

[martyscncgarage]

Thank you for sharing the details of your build with us.
Marty