Build Your Own CNC Router Machine

Welcome!

Here, you will see a complete build of a CNC router from ground up, great CNC tutorials and products to help in the CNC Machine build process. Don't forget to read the basics before you start. Enjoy and keep watching for more videos and products.

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Latest News and Tutorials

Toby V's CNC Machine and Process

Here is another excellent example of a customer putting together a CNC machine kit and revising/adding to fit his needs. Specifically, this is the blackToe version 4.0 CNC machine kit, put together by Toby, a Neuroscience Ph.D with a post Doctorate at Harvard focusing on electrophysiology of the biological neural network in the retna. He used this knowledge to create computational models of artificial neural networks to test new hypothesis. Now, he is mainly focusing on the business aspect with his current occupation and spending time at home with woodworking. Read more...

CNC Electronics and Wiring

Most of the tutorials on this site are created in response to the difficulties I see users having with machines mechanics, structural dimensions and the electronics that drive their CNC machines. Overwhelmingly, I have noticed that the electronics pose the most difficulty with new users. I have put together another set of wiring instructions that demonstrate a methodology that begins with a simple and straightforward wiring of only one driver and motor and follows with the remaining drivers while testing throughout. The steps per inch for many forms of mechanical option are also explained in depth. Read on and view the videos...

Alden G's CNC Machine and Narrative

I have seen many builds based on the step-by-step instructions on this site, but when I see the the DIY community start to mix the ideas of one cnc machine with another, I get really excited. To take a machine and introduce concepts from another machine, like timing belt mechanics, is clever and welcome. Alden also is very creative with where he positions the drivers. Read more...

Developing a 3 Axis Stepping Motor Driver Based on the Allegro 3979

So, what exactly is a 3 and 4 axis stepping motor driver board. Actually, I am presenting the 3 axis stepping motor driver board in this article, but there is another much smaller board that will connect to this one that will provide an additional driver, miaking it useful for those wonderful 3D projects that use an indexer. Read More...

Mark Gottschalk's 2'x8' blackToe CNC Machine

Wait!! Do I have a 2'x8' CNC Machine?!? Some of my customers ask if the the CNC machine kits on this site can be lengthened. This is not only possible, but quite easy to implement. Check out Mark Gottschalk's machine. He did an excellent jog on the construction of the table, creating clamping T-tracks, nice shelf and storage, and a length that suited his needs. Read More...

Video Demo of the New blackToe posted

I was able to whip up a demonstration of the new blackToe version 4.0 CNC machine. This video will really give you a taste of how the machine moves and a few of the features that were implemented to justify the version 4.0 level. Here is a larger video.

Make 21: Desktop Manufacturing

Check out the new edition of MAKE Magazine. If you pick it up, you will find a great article by James Floyd Kelly describing the CNC Machine you see here on this website (an enhanced version of the step-by-step seen to your left). He shows a glimpse of the CNC machine and the process that is outlined in the new book "Build Your Own CNC Machine" by Patrick Hood-Daniel and James Floyd Kelly and based on the machine in the Hardware Plans and kit.

Primer on Homing and the Use of Limit Switches

I know, you are finished with the machine, and now, you need to set up the limit switches and be able to home the machine. Argh, the concept of restricting the machine and making it know where it is standing seems like a serious challenge. Well, not really. I am going to demonstrate a few techniques on connecting switches and how to home the machine, but in a rather unique way. You will learn how to connect limit switches and home switches using two different circuit types, normally open (NO) and normally closed (NC). I will also demonstrate a method of homing that uses the end mill (bit) to find the home position. Read more and see the videos...

CNC Router Kit Version 3.0: blueChick 12"x24" Desktop CNC Kit

This kit is almost out of the development stage! To round-out the the CNC kits offered at this site, I will be including this desktop sized CNC machine called blueChick. It really does fit on a desktop, well... with not much else on the desk. The machine measures 20.5" wide and 40" deep. The total routing area is 13" x 24".

This machine has broken the version barrier to 3.0, and for good reason. Read on...

Printed Circuit Board Isolation Routing (Complete Tutorial)

Wiring circuits on a perf board, or trying to get a good etch using laser transfer and harmful and messy chemicals can be a challenge. For a while now, I have wanted to start making my own circuit boards with the CNC machine. The other curious thought is, how will PCB fabrication work with my new design for the roller chain drive. From the tests that I have done, the results are impressive and being so overjoyed, I created a tutorial. I also created this tutorial since there are many hit and miss resources out there, so I wanted to offer a place to get a large bulk of the information to give you a running start. Read on...

Make, Files and blackToe

Have you seen the article? Tom Owad, author of the two page article in the latest Make Volume:18, kindly features the kits here to describe CNC fabrication. You will also notice as specified by the article that CAM files are available for download for the version 1.3.

Update: Through development, testing and the release of the blackToe system, many videos have been added. Check them out here...

The CNC Process - From CAD to Product

I have put together a video tutorial of the entire process from drawing a part in CAD (Computer Assisted/Aided Design) to the final product that is cut out from the CNC machine. This three part series will step you through the design of a very simple object that uses drills and profiles. Drills are simply holes created from the end mill (router bit) into the material and profiles are horizontal cuts, usually in geometric form, that create various shapes. Read on and watch the videos...

Start Building your CNC Machine from Scratch:

Read the basics, tools and precautions then move on to Step 1: Linear Bearings

Latest Products

Roller Chain:

The #25 roller chain is now available. #25 roller chain has a pitch of .25". Use this chain with the #25 drive and idler sprockets. Go here for more.

CNC Electronics:

Check out our new motors, drivers and new lower prices. We added a NEMA34 Motor, a compatible driver with high current rating and updated all of the prices for the main electronic components.

#25 Chain Components

The #25 idler and drive sprockets are finally available. These are hard to find components and we have them at great prices. These are the components that are used on the machine kits available on this website (blackToe and blackFoot). The idler (top photo) is used to simply guide the chain where you w

ant it. The drive sprocket is the important component that connects directly to the motor shaft to transmit motion to the machine. The drive sprocket is selected for its few number of teeth to translate to the highest mechanical resolution. For example: this sprocket has 9 teeth. Multiply this by the pitch of .25", you have 2.25 inches of travel for one turn of the motor. Standard stepping motors have 200 steps per revolution and multiplied by, say 16 microsteps, you can get 1422.222 steps per revolution, or (200*16)/(9*.25). Check here.

3/8" Lead Screw and Antibacklash Nut:

If the bigger lead screw is not your thing, check out this smaller lead screw at 3/8" in diameter. It's not too small to be fragile and not too big to cramp the space in a small CNC machine. The specifications we are offering 3/8" diameter, 10 threads per inch at 2 starts. Thats 5 turns per inch. Check them out here.

Price Reduction:

The price for the vee-groove (v-groove) bearings have been reduced. Check them out here. The prices have been dropped from $15.00 to $8.89.

blackFoot v4.0 CNC Machine:

I am excited to show the blackFoot CNC with a few pictures on the new blackFoot page. You will see some of the enhancements that have been implemented that are similar to the blackToe v.4.0. The 4x8 machine is big, fast, solid and designed with character.

Anti-Backlash Nut and Lead Screw:

Your CNC Machine needs a way to move the axes. Using an Anti-Backlash Nut and a Precision Lead Screw is a good way to do this. The Lead Screw is available as plain steel and stainless steel. The specifications for the movement is 1/2" - 10TPI at 5 starts for a 2 turns per inch movement. Be confident that you will get the correct mating of Anti-Backlash Nut and Lead Screw here.

Parallel cable:

Parallel ports may be going out of style on computers, but it's still the least expensive option for controlling your CNC machine. Each one of those pins are connected straight through, unlike other cables that may cross the wires. Find it here.

The blackToe 2x4 Version 4.0:

A new toy for The Next Industrial Revolution! Everyone with a garage (or a spare bedroom) can get serious with their creations on the cheap. Version 4.0, a solid, fast, attractive chain driven CNC machine. This CNC machine offers 3 axis functionality driven by roller chain and sprocket for the x and y axes and lead screw for the z-axis. The overall structure is solid with respect to stresses in all directions. Chain drive for this CNC machine will allow velocities into the 800 to 1000 ipm (inches per minute) range. Unlike the previous version, a table is offered as an optional add-on. Read more...

blueChick CNC Machine

The latest machine in the line-up and the most advanced. This CNC is really zippy (scary zippy) and still maintains great resolution. Designed with a 12 inch x 24 inch, or 12 inch x 36 inch, true routing area, many small jobs can be realized. The best part! It actually fits on a desk. Well, maybe the price is the best part at $1465. Read more...

Collars

It's pretty difficult to keep your lead screw in place without a couple of these collars. Unlike the ends to those dress shirt sleeves, these collars are made of steel and clamp on a shaft or lead screw very tightly. And, unlike many other industrial collars that use set screws, these will stay in place for good using a clamping style configuration and help to mitigate the damage to the lead screw. See the collars here.

3D Carving Bit

We finally have a 3D carving tool. It would be very difficult to carve out a really nice bas relief with a square end, right? Well, this carving bit is shaped to provide the perfect carving for all types of applications including: dimensional signage, precision 3D carving, 3D contouring and profiling, cabinetry and furniture making, and 3D millwork. Specifications include, 1/4" shank, 2" in total length, maximum of .0002" runout, solid submicrograin carbide. Oh yeah, the cut creates a really smooth edge or surface. These are available with or without ZrN coating for longer life. Find it here...

General Purpose End Mill:

This is an end mill that I use religiously because of it's extra length of cut of 1-1/8". This end mill can cut into thick material with flutes to spare. Features include, solid carbide (micrograin), 2 flutes, right hand rotation (up cut), overall length of 3", 1/4" shank diameter and 1/4" cut diameter, and a 30 degree helix. Find it here...

Roller Chain Accessories for the DIY CNC Machines:

Since starting the blackToe Kits, I have asked to offer the roller chain components. I don't blame them because the right components are really difficult to find. I am adding roller chain products to a new mechanical parts section of the website. There you will find parts like sprockets, collars, lead screws, lead nuts, roller chain and other mechanical parts that l come in handy for those DIY CNC Machine and Router enthusiasts. Currently, I am offering the necessary components for the roller chain drives.

Roller Chain Version of the 2'x4' blackToe:

The 2'x4' is looking more like the blackToe 4'x8'. I have seen how well the roller chain drive works with the 4'x8', so I decided to offer a 2'x4' version which uses the same gantry sides as the 4'x8' and the more narrow y-axis rail supports and rails from the 2'x4' version. Since this system comes with 10' of roller chain for each side of the x-axis, you can actually make it a 2'x8' CNC Machine. See the pricing here.

Consumables:

How good is a CNC machine without the tool to cut things? Not very! I am going to start offering consumables... End mills, drills, router bits, etc. To kick things off, and get all of you in the mood to make PCBs, I will start supplying an etching bit. This bit features a 1/8" shank 2 flute and 60 degree "V" point tip to cut the really thin groo

ves needed to isolate traces. This bit can also etch, engrave, or machine non-ferrous metals, hardwoods, phenolics, stabilized woods and composite materials. This end mill is available uncoated, or ZrN (Zirconium Nitride) coating to extend tool life and increased cut quality. Now Available

Porter Cable Collets:

Out with the wobbly standard Porter Cable collet and in with the refined, low TIR (Total Indicated Runout) ER collet. I know what you're thinking... What is runout? Have you ever inserted a bit into a drill incorrectly at an angle? That bit wou

ld have an incredibly high runout (wobble agressively). However, the runout that is important here is not even visible with the naked eye. If there is a significant runout, then bores will be slightly larger, fine etching groo

ves will be wider than expected, tiny end mills will break easily, and the router bearings would wear faster. Here is a collet specially made for the Porter Cable routers so you will have pin-point accuracy. These collets are rated at 0.0004" TIR Precision Grad

e. Now, you can have the precision at a low cost that is typically found in expensive spindles.