All our machines are implemented with a dust collection system, includes holders for vacuum hose, and a brush piece that will fit your motor mount to hold as much wood/aluminum/plexi-glass particles in as possible. No vacuum is provided, must be purchased separately.

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Is a dust extraction system included as part of the CNC kit (BlackFoot and GreenBull)?

The blackTooth Laser cutter and Engraver can be built in a weekend. Take a look at the build instructions and try to determine if you feel you have sufficient capability to put together the laser system.

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HOW COMPLEX IS YOUR KIT TO ASSEMBLE, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY - HARD IT SETUP CONTROL THE LASER WITH MACH3?

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.

The pictures of the table on the blackFoot v4.3 CNC machine page uses 2/4 studs, a torsion box, and a final top 3/4" layer.

The torsion box and the top bed layer lays on a frame constructed by 2x4 framing studs angled to resist twisting and for greater rigidity. the joints are simply connected with long screws and you can also use framing plates/ties. The torsion box is constructed of 3/4" MOD stock and has a ribbing pattern spaced around 8 inches apart. The design is similar to this: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/ModularTorsionBoxTable.aspx

The top later is simply multiple sheets of MOD 3/4" thick to conform to the required final measurement.

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The table top pictured with the blackFoot 4'x8' v4.3 CNC Machine Kit looks nice. I'd like to build one just like it. How thick is it? If it was made from multiple sheets, how did you make the butt joints?

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?

Is this a licensed version of Mach 3? If not and you are currently running the demo version, mach 3 will have only 500 lines of G-code available for cutting. Which will not allow you to cut or move the machine after the first 500 lines.

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Yes, It is a licensed version of Mach 3.

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Mach 3 stalls in the middle of a file and the dwell button is flashes randomly. Can't control motors and have to re-start Mach 3. Any help?

BYCNC Response:
The book build was intended to be 20 inches x 40 inches. Larger machines were designed after the book build was introduced so customers would have the option to go bigger than what the book offered. Check out our larger machines on the website as the machines sizes range from 1 foot x 3 feet all the way up to 6 feet x 12+ feet.

User Response:
I'm not wanting to spend $3,000+ on a machine, I want to build one that will do a 4x8 sheet of wood. Will the plans in the book scale up?

BYCNC Response:
It is possible to scale the book build up, but the rigidity of the gantry would be questionable at that span, even if the height of the gantry structure were to be increased. The gantry design would need to be modified to become a box shape rather than a flat configuration. The kits on the site were design for those wanting a larger machine.

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I BOUGHT YOUR BOOK AND WAS HOPEING IT HAD PLANS OR DIMENTIONS ON HOW TO BUILD A CNC HOLD 4X8 SHEET OF PLY. WILL THE IN SCALE UP?

Mach 3 is compatible with our electronic combo's that include the Parallel Breakout Board.
Planet-CNC is compatible with our electronic combo's that included our USB Breakout Board.

The parallel breakout board is compatible to a wide variety of software control packages. The USB interface board that we sell can only be used with the Planet-cnc control software.

If you are concerned with your computer (desktop) not having a parallel port, one can be purchased and inserted into a PCI slot on the motherboard. Some motherboard also come with a parallel port header (connector) on the motherboard and a simple cable can be connected to this connector to get that functionality on the computer. The former solution of getting a parallel port adapter card to plug into the motherboard is probable the easiest and least expensive option.

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Is the mach 3 software compatible with kollmorgen s200 servo motors and controllers?

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IS THE MACH3 SOFTWARE COMPATIBLE WITH 3 AXIS MOTION CONTROL COMBO KITS? PLANET CNC MENTIONED AS BEING COMPATIBLE.

When you plug the USB controller into the computer using a USB cable, and the planet-cnc software is running, you will be presented with a dialog box that will contain a text box for the key that you received from the planet-cnc folks.

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Is there any other software that will work with your controller Mach3? Thanks for the help!

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However it how do I get the software to work? PlanetCNC sent me a key that looks like it will only work with a backup control board I purchased from them?

Gcode or digital files are not available for our machines.

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I have the build your own CNC kit 3 Axis CNC Machine 2008, were can I get the Gcode or vector files for it ? I wanted to have it laser cut

The Spindle can be controlled with either analog (Like with a DAC card) or PWM.

If your spindle speed is controlled by an analog signal, (for example, by a VFD with a 0 to 10 volt signal) and you’re using a DAC card like the m5i20 to output the control signal:

First you need to figure the scale of spindle speed to control signal. For this example the spindle top speed of 5000 RPM is equal to 10 volts.

10 volts / 5000 RPM = .002 volts / 1 RPM

If you need a spindle enable signal, link your output pin to motion.spindle-on. To link these pins to a parallel port pin put something like the following in your .hal file (net spindle-enable motion.spindle-on => parport.0.pin-14-out), making sure you pick the pin that is connected to your control device.

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Can the spindle be controlled with a PWM signal or analog signal? Which pin do I assign the spindle control to in LinuxCNC?

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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I have a 4x8 CNC and would like to cut my own parts for the Blackfoot. What is the price for the plans and the electronics ?

At this time we are working to release a new USB controller board that will be compatible with Mach4 software and do not have any immediate plans to update the Planet-CNC USB board.

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Are there plans to release a USB Controller to work with the Planet CNC Output Board for more advanced spindle control from within Planet CNC?

There is a wiring diagram in the instructions on the following page:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

In the instructions, you will find the wiring diagram and further instructions below that with greater detail on how to connect the various features of the Mach3 USB controller that is used in the Woodsmith article.

Note in the wiring diagram that COM- is the DCM terminal and COM+ is the 24V terminal.

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I built one of those and complained to Woodsmith about the wiring diagram. They said the vendor changed boards after the article went to press. Don't trust anything in their diagram. They even got the power supply wired wrong. I had to view the instructions from buildyourcnc to get things working. You will fry you drivers if you do anything that is referenced in the woodsmith article. While I did get it built and working, I had to make modifications on many of the dimensions to get it put together right. They make no mention of the tight tolerances required or how square and level everything must be. The beast works but the publication leaves you dangling when it comes to the important details after you get it built.

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looking at woodsmith CNC and wanted better understand how it is wired. is it possible to get better wiring diagrams or manuals?

Looking for a solution myself. Proper operation would be for the limit switch to only disable further travel in the effected direction while still allowing travel in the opposite direction.

As for now, I am just using the jog arrows within the software or the VGA controller.

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After limit switch is activated on planet cnc control software, what do I need to do to get axis to move again?

Yes, it is feasible to create a machine with a cutting area of 13'x15'. Your mechanical and structural systems will need to be able to span a bit more than the 13' if that will be the axis travel along the gantry.

We have not cut carpet with our lasers, but I don't see why not. With that said, be extremely careful with the materials in the rug. Read the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for the rug you intend to cut as some materials will emit corrosive and harmful gases and chemicals when lased.

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Hi I want to build a cnc laser table 13'x15' cuttting area. Is this feasible. Also would the 80watt laser be enough power to cut through carpet

Yes, it is ok if the thickness is plus or minus +/- about 2mm.

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is IT OK TO USE THICKER PLYWOOD (MATERIAL) to BUILD THE CNC MACHINE, BLACKFOOT, BLACKTOE?

BYCNC Response:
The book build was intended to be 20 inches x 40 inches. Larger machines were designed after the book build was introduced so customers would have the option to go bigger than what the book offered. Check out our larger machines on the website as the machines sizes range from 1 foot x 3 feet all the way up to 6 feet x 12+ feet.

User Response:
I'm not wanting to spend $3,000+ on a machine, I want to build one that will do a 4x8 sheet of wood. Will the plans in the book scale up?

BYCNC Response:
It is possible to scale the book build up, but the rigidity of the gantry would be questionable at that span, even if the height of the gantry structure were to be increased. The gantry design would need to be modified to become a box shape rather than a flat configuration. The kits on the site were design for those wanting a larger machine.

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I bought your book and was hopeing it had plans or dimentions on how to build a cnc to hold a 4x8 sheet of ply. Will the CNC in the book scale up?

Yes, the knife you are referring to is called a tangential knife and is available here https://buildyourcnc.com/Item/endmill-Tangential-cutting-Dragknives-Donektools-D2

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I want to build a similar CNC to the Blacktoe 2'x6' design that Matt Gottscualk built. Is it possible to also outfit a small knife tip/setup for very precise cuts in vinyl/plastic?