Using Anti-Freeze in the cooling system with either our spindle or our laser tubes will not have any problems and we recommend using a small amount in locations where temperature is freezing or below.
Although we do not recommend using an entire gallon of anti-freeze rather just a small quantity with tap water will be sufficient.

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All last winter, the temperature was below freezing and sometimes below zero. I used 100% antifreeze for the spindle coolant. Worked great !! All the spindle needs is any type of coolant flowing through it to take the heat away. I use three gallons of antifreeze in a tub with a fish-tank pump to push the antifreeze through. 100% antifreeze works great in cold or hot winter.

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Excellent tip. Thank you for this correction. So it is OK to use antifreeze solely as a cooling method.

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I was wondering what you recommend to use to cool your spindle when continuously exposed to freezing temperature. Can I use winter windshield cleaner (cheap) or do I have to use antifreeze engine coolant or something else? water just sounds like a really bad idea. I live in Canada Eh!

The specifications for the book build can be found on the flowing URL: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/Item/cnc-machine-scratchbuild

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Where can I get the spec for the Cnc machine for the machine in the book build your own Cnc machine I tried the web page but no mesurments that I found

Currently our only location is in Katy, Texas at this current time, we can help you assemble the machine and if any issues occur we can always help you with the problems, but will have to be managed through email or phone (which ever is your preference).

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I live in China and my company would like to buy the 40w laser cutting machine. I am wondering if you can help us assemble and maintain the machine in China? Do you have any service point here? Thank you

Dealing with our inverters, they are built with a bit of margin on the input power. For our 220V VFD the margin is from 170-250V 50/60Hz, so running our VFD in your location will not be an issue! Our electronics will not have a issue running at 230V as well.

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Hello. I am interested in the green bull 6X long z CNC machine with electronics. I live in NZ, where the voltage is 230 V and 50 Hz. is it going to be possible to get the inverter to run here? Thanks!

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 DSP controller uses its own pulses per unit (in your case, it's pulses per mm). That number is he same as steps per mm (or steps per inch if you are using that unit). Make sure that the pulses per mm is configured correctly for the machine mechanical components and the mircistep setting on the driver for each axis.

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You will need to make sure the DSP's parameters match the specifications for motor tuning.

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I used DSP controller for my CNC machine. How can I determine why my CNC machine produce different output as per my requirement. example, i make a design size 10mm x30mm in my design software, now, why is it that my cnc output is15mm x 65 mm?

You can use either 1" x 1" x 1/8", or 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" x 1/8" angle on the table sides. The BRAs should all be 3/4" x 3/4" x 1/8". The Y ans Z axes should use the 3/4" x 3/4" x 1/8" angles.

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In the Build your own CNC machine book, You said you use 1 1/4" angle on the main table but 1" would be better. So my question is Should I use 1" angle on the main table (4' length) and 1 1/4" angle for the BRA's and other rails?

It sounds like you got a misprinted book. If you purchased it from us, please contact us directly for a replacement. If you bought it from Amazon or a third party, you'll need to contact them. General information about lead screws is available on this website and at buildyourtools.com.

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Just bought Build Your own CNC Machine book. It is missing the chapter on lead screws that is described on page 181 at the end of Chaprer 16. Where can I get this info?

The largest CNC machine we make at this time (12/04/2015) is the GreenBull 6'x12' model. This model has 2 options for Z-axis travel.

The short-z option has a total Z travel of 5.75 inches. From that you would subtract the length of the end mill used and the thickness of the spoil board to determine the maximum material thickness. (Example: If the end mill extends 1.25" from the collet and the spoil board is .75", then the material could be up to 5.75 - 1.25 - 0.75 = 3.75 inches in thickness). This is good for most sheet-type materials.

The long-z option, used mainly for large 3D carvings, requires a custom frame and allows for up to 36" of travel.

The tolerance of our machines, like any machine, depends on several variables. The major variables include the manufacturing tolerance, the type of machine control used, the precision of assembly, the thoroughness of maintenance, and the initial and ongoing calibration of the machine. Because we sell kits only most of these variables are outside our control. Therefore, we are hesitant to guarantee a certain level of tolerance for an end user. However, in our experience, tolerances of .001" are readily achievable with our machines.

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What tolerance can I expect from your largest cnc machine and the laser cutter? Also, what depth can I get on the z axis?

The connections between the driver and the breakout board(USB/Parallel)22-24 AWG wire is preference also going from the potentiometer going to LSPS(laser power supply) , now going from the power supply to the drivers/laser power supply 16-18 AWG wire is our preference.

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I'm about to order your laser cutter , item 279 and a little confused.. in your faq it states you need wire and connectors for assembly, can you be specific on amount and guage of wire or tell me where to find that information?

Same issue here -- TTL output from the AWC708C never seems to be pulled low. Still troubleshooting.

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MY LASER MACHINE VERTICAL DOES NOT ACTIVATE THE LASER TUBE, VERIFY THE POWER SUPPLIES AND THEY ARE WORKING WHICH THE PROBLEM CAN BE

the greenBull can handle cutting aluminum as long as the correct bit (end mill) is used and the bit is cooled frequently to prevent chips from melting and causing damage to the bit or warping the material.

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Would your greenBull 6X CNC machine be suitable for cutting 2024T3 aircraft aluminium? Working on a kitlpane project and I need this capability.

That is a good question. We have not tried to weld thermoplastics using our CO2 Lasers. It is possible since the laser outputs a heat source and at the right intensity and speed, the thermoplastic can be heated and melted rather than instantaneously vaporized and off gassed. I have done research to see if CO2 laser can weld thermoplastics with positive results.

Our CO2 lasers are typical of other laser cutters on the market, so if their literature, or examples you have found, successfully weld thermoplastics, then ours will probably be able to as well.

In some cutting test with different speeds and intensities, the kerf has welded back together; however, this was caused by an unintentional process rather than an intentional one.

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Can a CO2 CNC laser machine be used for welding of thermoplastic materials?

Cutting metal with lasers even at 100W and 130W is difficult. The main problem is molten is a byproduct of lasing, which can severely damage the laser.

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For the XL Vertical Laser Machine I see it won't cut metal as it is only 80w. However, I noticed that you are working on 100w and 130w versions so will that be sufficient to cut through sheet metal? If so, how much longer until those are available?

The blackTooth's 40 watt laser tube can be cooled with simple tap water. A bit of anti-freeze keeps the tap water clean and free of algae. The cooler the water, the better output you will get from the laser. A great source of information can be found here: http://www.buildyourtools.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=3452

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What kind of cooling system should we set up for the Blacktooth laser cutter laser tube? Can tap water be used? Is water temperature critical?

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

Make sure to check your supply lines. Air flow is especially important.

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hi, I atacched a laser system to my modified book machine. it worked fine for a few trials but for some reason has lost power and is not cutting through any more, it does engrave thou. what can I check for? I´ve tried everything I can think of.

To assemble the blueChick v4.2, you will need two sets of instructions, the assembly instructions for the main body and mechanicals of the CNC machine, and the instructions to connect and test all of the electronics.

The assembly instructions are located at this URL towards the bottom of the page (click on each picture to get a larger view):

https://www.buildyourcnc.com/blueChickVersion42CNCMachineKit.aspx

The instructions to connect and test the electronics can be found at this URL:

https://www.buildyourcnc.com/CNCElectronicsandWiring.aspx

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I have a blueChick version 4.2 CNC Machine with no schematics for it is there anyway possibly i can get them so i can finish putting my cnc together

Which linear slide bearings are you referring?

The ones that come in the pack of 24 or 30

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Are the linear slide bearings good quality? Should I expect all 30 to be equal in quality and use them to produce a very accurate CNC machine?