This is a good video on how to do a vacuum table

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Do you have any videos or plans for how to make a strong table for a large CNC router? I saw the torsion box videos but would like some more guidance on how to build just a good table.

WE don't have an actual file that contains the instructions for the machines as they are a part of a larger database file that is queried during the product page's rendering in the browser. The best option would be to print the webpage on a printer and use that as notes.

I know this will not provide larger images, but you could use the paper version to write your notes while assembling the machine using the larger images on the website.

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On the blackFoot 4'x8' CNC machine do you have the instructions under one file that I can download, I want to print them out and make notes as I am building the machine.

The available options for the blackFoot, is only structural components with hardware, and structure components/hardware with electronic components.
However we currently do not have any plans available for public use/distribution.

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Are plans available for the blackfoot cnc router table

We do offer discounts for academic institutions and instructors. Please contact us via the phone number above to inquire about our academic discount.

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I need to know if you have prices for educators, or other ways that a teacher could procure a blackToe 2'x4' CNC router. I apologize that this is sort of a bold question, as your routers are already well-priced.

Yes, that is highly recommended for all the reasons you can imagine. Say you were doing engraving, not surfacing the spoilboard will either exhibit some areas that have no engraving at all, or areas that have engraving that is too deep. If you are cutting completely through the material, then one end may be cut all the way through but the other end will not have a complete cut, or produce onion skinning on the bottom of the workpiece.

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DO NEED TO GET THE BIG PLANING BIT OR SURFACING AND GO OVER SPOIL BOARD MAKE SURE THAT IT IS PERFECTLY LEVEL IN RELATION ROUTER?

You will be fine with using 2 NEMA 23/24 (425 oz-in) and 1 NEMA 34 (651 oz-in) motors with the Woodsmith CNC build with a large heavy router with a 1/2" collet. Specifically, the Woodsmith CNC build uses lead screws for each axis and this will provide mechanical advantage allowing the motors along with the drive mechanics (lead screws) an increase in torque.

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Building the 2'x4' CNC from the Woodsmith plans and want to use a router with 1/2" collet. Will your stepper motor kit with 2 NEMA-23 and 1 NEMA-34 be sufficient for a Bosch 1617 router motor, or will it be too heavy?

What is the weight of the gantry, number of teeth on the drive sprocket and tooth pitch?

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I build a 3 axis router CNC the gantry is heavy in aluminium plate, witch plug n'play kit you suggest me 1 or two motor on the longest axis this will be drive with chain?

We don't hold those boards in-house anymore. You can use the schematic to form your own boards if you wish.

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Thanks for the reply. Has this proven to be a good design?

Additional Information:

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Regarding L6203/L297 Stepper Board Driver, would you be willing to sell two unpopulated boards? A friend and I are each building a low cost CNC and I already have most of the components. Thanks.

There are many possible options for making a lathe. Typically, a lathe is run by a spindle at the head stock (which you can find here https://buildyourcnc.com/SpindlesAndAccessories.aspx) which will rotate the object rather than a fourth axis, however you will need to create or buy the clamp mechanism of a regular lathe to hold the object in place. You will be able to control the on/off either manually or via software, but the speed (RPM) will have to be controlled manually.
You can create a more indexed alternative to a lathe by using our rotary axis at the head stock (found here https://buildyourcnc.com/item/axes-4th). either way, the tail stock center can be found here https://buildyourcnc.com/item/axes-4th. This will give you full control of the turning via software.

You will want to use linear rails and their associated bearing blocks (found here https://buildyourcnc.com/item/mechanical-rails-HIWIN-Linear-20mm and herehttps://buildyourcnc.com/item/mechanical-rails-linear-guide-rails-20mm) to run along the length of the item being turned and you will need linear rails to be run perpendicular (towards and away) to the object being turned that would hold either the blade (for a traditional lathe) or a spindle (for the indexed version containing the rotary axis).

Where you have linear rail, you will also need lead screw (found here https://buildyourcnc.com/item/mechanical-leadscrews-lead-screw-!5-5-starts-10-tpi) to transmit motion using motors (and drivers) of your choice also with various options (found here https://buildyourcnc.com/category/nema and here https://buildyourcnc.com/category/driver). You will need 2 - Drivers (either 3.0A or 6.0A, the 6.0A driver will be for our larger motors hence you will have more torque available) and 2 - Motor's (either our Nema 24's or Nema 34's, the Nema 24 will work with our 3.0A driver while the Nema 34 will work the 6.0A)
To control these motors, you will need a parallel breakout board and Mach 3 software to control the two axes (or three with the rotary axis) found here https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-parallel-breakout-relay and https://buildyourcnc.com/item/control-SOFTWARE-mach3.

You will need couplings to couple the lead screws to the motor shafts (found here https://buildyourcnc.com/couplings.aspx). All of the miscellaneous hardware you need can also be found here https://buildyourcnc.com/Hardware.aspx.

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CNC Wood Lathe project - Would like to have the guts to a 2 axis DIY lathe. Can you let me know of a possible one stop shop solution? Would like it to be at least 40" on the X axis.

We don't have a laser kit to retrofit another CNC router other than ours, but we can create one. Some things that may help:

- You are located close to use so we can work closely with you to implement to retrofit,
- or you can provide very detailed drawings or measurements so we can use them to create the necessary parts for the kit.

Other things that you need to understand:

- A laser has a number of parts that will bulk up the head of the CNC router causing a bit more inertia which may require lowering the acceleration for smooth ramping up and down of the velocity

- The bulk of the parts required for the laser may restrict the travel of the x and/or y axes.

- The nozzle of the laser will be offset from the end mill of the spindle.

Can you tell me the brand of the CNC router that you would like to stick a laser on? (you can answer by submitting additional information.

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Do you have a laser kit that can be fitted onto another brand CNC router?

Yes, I will need to know more specifics of the machine so I can recommend the correct electronics.

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ok I Build my CNC machine table and now need a complete set for motor and software how you can help me

As long as the bearing has a minimum thickness of 1/4" and 9/32" is a bit thicker, there will be no problem with the book build using the bearing that is 1/32" thicker. There is actually more surface area which is better.

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I am building the CNC in your book - Build you own CNC Machine. One of the bearing thicknesses is 1/4" I can't find that bearing online. I can find 9/32, will that be a problem. Do you have a source? Thx

The actual cutting dimensions for our blackToe machine is 2'(24") x 4'(48"), the overall size of the structure built is a bit larger so that our customers have the actual size mentioned with each of our machines!

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blackToe 2'x4' CNC Router - What are the actual x and y cutting dimensions (eg: 22"x46")

Yes, you can send your electronics to us for repair, or retrofit to work with either Mach3, Mach4 or LinuxCNC. You can send us an email at customerService@buildyourcnc.com to set up your appointment.

Some of the types of CNC electronics we will consider.

- We will work on electronics from other manufacturers as long as you are ok with the Mach3, Mach4 or LinuxCNC control software for your CNC machine or CNC router.

- We will repair or retrofit used CNC electronics.

- Some customers find that electronics are overwhelming to put together so we will finish these electronics wiring and assembly for you.

The cost for these includes labor cost for the time it takes to finish the CNC electronics repair or retrofit and for any parts that need to be replaced or added.

Here is an example of CNC electronics that we worked on for a customer:

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I would like to use Mach3 instead of the software for my CNC router. Can you fix the electronics for me?

The CNC router build from book "Build Your Own CNC Machine" uses the basic electronics combo kit that includes three 425 oz-in motors is the kit designed for that machine. Here is a link to that electronics package: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/Item/electronicsAndMotors-3axis-425-elcombo

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I AM BUILDING THE CNC DEMONSTRATED IN YOUR PUBLISHED BOOK 'BUILD OWN MACHINE', 2009. YOU SELL 3 AXIS ELECTRONIS COMBO, PARALLEL, FOR $390. IS THIS PACKAGE FROM BOOK. OR ARE THERE OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS. THANK YOU, HARY HOLSTEIN

Here is the kit for the Woodsmith CNC: https://buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-woodsmithCNC-kit

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Do you offer a complete kit for the Woodsmith CNC router plan?

Ok, sure. Let's get the discussion started. Please respond with your questions on this FAQ

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Hi, I am thinking of making a CNC router that I can use in woodworking. I am very happy if you can help me with the necessary parts for this

I like to use a 3/8" drill bit to create the holes on a table to mount the rails to give the rails a bit of wiggle room to adjust the alignment of the rail.

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Attaching the aluminum rails to the table. Do you use a 1/4" or 5/16" drill bit?

The plans/hardware/electronics/mechanical includes everything but the wood structural components that can be cut by the customer. This plans/hardware option includes all of the electronics, like motors, drivers, controller, and all of the cables and wires to connect all of the electronics together. The mechanical components include shafts, couplings, linear rails, bearing blocks, sprockets, lead screws, etc. The hardware consists of all of the screws nuts, insert nuts, cross dowels, etc, to assemble all of the structural, mechanical, and electronics together.

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what does the plans, hardware, electronics and mechanical option consists of for a CNC router?