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  • Fasten One Table End
  • Fasten Other Table End
  • Fasten First Under-Table Support
  • First End Support and Table Connection
  • First End Support and Table End Connection Other Side
  • Fasten Second Under Table Support (rib)
  • Second Table End Support Connection
  • Second Under Table Support Opposite End Connection
  • Fasten Third Under Table Support
  • Third Table End and Under Support Connection
  • Third Support and Table End Opposite Connection
  • Attach X-Axis Rails to First Side
  • Fasten Second Side X-Axis Rails
  • Add 1/4 inch ID Bearing to Shaft End Gantry Side
  • V-Groove Bearing Assembly on Top Front Corner Shaft End Gantry Side
  • Add Front Bearing Compression Screw and Cross Dowel
  • Add V-Groove Assembly to Lower Front of Shaft end Gantry Side
  • Add Screw for V-Groove Bearing Adjustment
  • Add V-Groove Assembly to Rear Bottom of Shaft End Gantry Side
  • Add V-Groove and Idler Sprocket Assembly to the Shaft End Gantry Side
  • Add Idler Sprocket Assembly to Shaft End Gantry Side
  • Add V-Groove Bearing and Idler Sprocket to Motor Side Gantry Side
  • Add Idler Sprocket to the Motor End Gantry Side
  • Add V-Groove Adjustment Screw to the Motor End Gantry Side
  • Add Bottom Rear V-Groove Assembly to Motor End Gantry Side
  • Add V-Groove Adjustment Screw to Motor End Gantry Side
  • Add Bottom Front V-Groove Assembly to Motor End Gantry Side
  • Add Upper Front V-Groove Bearing to Motor End Gantry Side
  • Fasten Stepper Motor to the Motor End Gantry Side
  • Add Shaft, Coupling to Shaft End Gantry and Attach Gantries to the Rails on the Table.
  • Slide Coupling Over Both shafts
  • Add First Y-Axis Rail Side to the Y-Axis Rail Support Component
  • Attach Second Y-Axis Rail to the Y-Axis Rail Support Component
  • Fasten Y-Axis Rails to Gantry Front
  • Attach Gantry Bottom to the Gantry Front
  • Attach Gantry Front, Bottom and Rail Assembly to Gantry Sides
  • Fasten the Shaft End Gantry Side to the Gantry Front
  • Fasten the Gantry Front to the Motor End Gantry Side
  • Fasten Shaft End Gantry Side to Gantry Front
  • Fasten Gantry Front to Shaft End Gantry Side
  • Fasten Gantry Front to Motor End Gantry Side
  • Fasten Gantry Front to the Motor End Gantry Side
  • Attach the X-Axis Drive Sprocket
  • Attach Eye Bolt to Front Table End Left Side
  • Fasten Eye Bolt to Rear Table End Left Side
  • Route the Roller Chain on the Left Side
  • Attach Roller Chain End to Eye Bolt at Front/Left Corner of the Table
  • Attach Roller Chain End to Eye Bolt at Rear Left side of Table
  • Attach Drive Sprocket to Shaft End
  • Fasten Eye Bolt to right Front of Table
  • Fasten Eye Bolt to Rear Right End of Table
  • Rout Roller Chain Along the Right Side of the Machine
  • Secure the Chain End at the Front Right Corner
  • Secure the Chain at the Rear/Right Corner
  • Fasten Gantry Top and Top of Y-Axis Rail Support
  • Bottom Left Y-Axis V-Groove Assembly
  • Add Top Y-Axis V-Groove Bearing Adjustment Screw
  • Add the Left Z and Top Y Axis V-Groove Bearings
  • Add the Lower Right Y-Axis V-Groove Bearing Assembly
  • Insert the Z-Axis Adjustment Screws
  • Add the Lower Right Z-Axis V-Groove Bearing Assembly
  • Attach Upper Right Z-Axis V-Groove Bearing Assembly
  • Add Adjustment Screw for Y-Axis Top Rail
  • Add Top Right Y-Rail V-Groove Bearing Assembly
  • Slide Z/Y Plate Assembly on the Y-Axis Rails
  • Insert Motor Mount Screws into Z/Y Plate
  • Fasten Right Z-Axis Rail to Z-Axis Rail Support
  • Fasten Left Z-Axis Rail to Z-Axis Rail Support
  • Fasten Middle Spindle Mount
  • Secure Z-Axis Stepping Motor
  • Add Z-Axis Flexible Coupling Assembly
  • Insert Bearing into Top Spindle Mount
  • Fasten Top Spindle Mount to the Z-Axis Rail Support
  • Add Z-Axis Collar, Bearing and Washer for Lead Screw
  • Insert Lead Screw into Anti-Backlash Nut
  • Insert Lead Screw Assembly into the Z-Axis Assembly
  • Insert Spindle/Router Mount Tightening Hardware
  • Add Lower Router/Spindle Mount Tightening Hardware
  • Fasten Lower Spindle/Router Mount to Z-Axis Assembly
  • Fasten Dust Shoe to the Lower Spindle/Router Mount
  • Insert the Z-Axis Assembly into the Machine
  • Attach the Anti-Backlash Support to the Z/Y Plate
  • Fasten Anti-Backlash Nut to the Anti-Backlash Nut Support
  • Y-Axis Right Chain Mount Preparation
  • Begin Fastening the Y-Axis Right Chain Mount
  • Complete Attaching the Y-Axis Right Chain Mount
  • Attach Eye Bolt to Y-Axis Right Chain Mount
  • Begin Fastening Y-Axis Left Chain Mount
  • Finish Fastening the Y-Axis Left Chain Mount
  • Attach Eye Bolt for Y-Axis Left Chain Mount
  • Add Y-Axis Idler Sprocket
  • Add Back Motor Mount Support Nuts
  • Connect Y-Axis Motor to Y-Axis Motor Mount Support
  • Complete the Fastening of the Y-Axis Motor to the Y-Axis Motor Mount Support
  • Add Drive Sprocket to the Y-Axis Motor Shaft
  • Slide Motor Mount Assembly onto Machine
  • Completely Fasten the Y-Axis Motor Mount Assembly
  • Add the Y-Axis Roller Chain
  • Secure the Y-Axis High Side of Roller Chain
  • Secure the Roller Chain on the Low Side of the Y-Axis
  • Insert the Spindle/Router into Machine
  • Fasten Top of Gantry Back
  • Fasten Gantry Back at Left Side of Machine
  • Fasten the Gantry Back at the right Side of the Machine
  • Fasten Gantry Back to Right Gantry Side
  • Fasten the Gantry Back to the Left Gantry Side
  • Fasten Lower Portion of the Gantry Back
1 113

BuildYourCNC

12"x36" CNC Router Kit

12"x36" CNC Router Kit

$89.99 USD
$89.99 USD
Sale Sold out
Title
The blueChick v4.2 is a desktop sized CNC machine that has a working area of 12"x36"x3" (X, Y and Z travel distances. The blueChick is perfect for small routing jobs and is designed to use the Porter Cable 892 router, or our 1.5kW or 2.2kW spindles. The blueChick is a CNC machine kit capable of routing an area of 12"x36" with a total of 3" of z-axis travel. The version 4.2 was developed to provide an alternative drive method, locate the x-axis motor in a more appropriate location, increase the gantry structure and reduce the overall height of the machine. Additionally, the router selected for this machine is the Porter Cable 892 series of routers. This machine can also be made with a 12" x 24" routing area. The kit includes the structure, hardware, mechanical components, and electronics (if that option was selected), you supply computer, cable/wires, and router. If putting electronics is not your thing, we have the electronics and computer all put together for you here and here. During the design of this machine, it was important to maintain the most rigidity possible, and the selection of the router was key in this decision. The Porter Cable has a consistently dimensioned cylindrical motor housing which contributes to the structural integrity of the z-axis assembly. This is in contrast to the Bosch routers which has a complex housing form which is challenging for which to provide a mount. This is evident on the version 3.0, where there is only a single mount for the Bosch and two mounts for the Porter Cable. Two mounts are always better than one as the router will be much sturdier while routing. The x-axis motor is in the new reinforced gantry structure (not under the table). The gantry structure is more in line with the blackToe and blackFoot CNC machines to provide an immense amount of structural rigidity to resist torsion. Torsion along the gantry happens when there is load on the router's bit as the machine travels along the x-axis. With the motor located within the gantry, the table has an unlimited length potential. The z-axis motor is re-oriented to be located next to the router as opposed to the top of the z-axis assembly. This reduces the overall height envelope of the CNC machine, so this machine can sit underneath cabinetry and other areas that have a similar height restriction. The chief difference from the version 3.0 blueChick CNC machine and this 4.2 version is the main drive mechanism. Roller chain was selected for this version to provide more robustness and ease of alignment. There is also a very interesting industrial appearance that comes with this type of mechanism. As with all machines, care should be taken with respect to fingers and other body parts getting into the parts of this mechanism. Many of the parts that relate to alignment of the drive mechanics (roller chain and lead screw) are made to be adjustable. Most importantly, the chain can be tightened from either end of each axis. This makes it very easy to square the x-axis with respect to the y-axis. The height of the y-axis can be adjusted vertically to make sure the chain is perfectly horizontal. The Lead screw can be aligned in both x and y direction so the lead screw can be oriented vertically. blueChick version 4.2 CNC Machine Features:
  • Routing Area 12"x36"x3"
  • Total envelope of the machine 24"x51"x22"
  • Structural Material: MDO (Medium Density Overlay)
  • Drive Method: X and Y axes: Roller Chain, Z axis: ACME Precision Lead screw and Anti-Backlash Nut (1/2"-10TPI @ 5 Starts - 2 turns per inch)
  • Drive sprockets - 9 teeth #25, pitch 1/4" (2.25" pitch circumference)
  • Rails: Aluminum 6061-T6. T6 Tempered for increased strength, good workability and high resistance to corrosion. Brinell Hardness: 95, Rockwell A Hardness: 40, Rockwell B Hardness: 60, Modulus of Elasticity: 10000 ksi (10000000 psi).
  • Rail bearings: Hardened Steel Dual Race V-Groove bearings (RM2), also known as "W" profile bearings.
Wiring Diagrams and Tutorials: Parallel Breakout Board: Diagram | Video Tutorial USB Breakout Board: Diagram | Video Tutorial
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Instructions

1
Step 1
If you purchased the kit that contains mounts for a spindle, please follow the pictorial steps below. For kits that contain the mounts for the Porter Cable (3.5 inch diameter router housing), please follow the video assembly instructions near the bottom of this page.
2
Step 2
Fasten the table surface to one of the table ends. Use four (4) 1/4 x 1-1/2 inch screws and cross dowel nuts. Keep these screws loosely fastened.
3
Step 3
Fasten the other table end using four (4) 1/4 x 1-1/2 inch screws and cross dowel nuts. Keep the screw loosely fastened.
4
Step 4
Add the first of three under-table supports. Use eleven (11) 1/4 x 1-1/2 inch screws and cross dowel nuts. Keep all of the screws loosely fastened.
5
Step 5
Use one (1) 1/4 x 1-1/2 inch screw and cross dowel nut to fasten the table end to the first under support piece. Keep this loosely fastened.
6
Step 6
Use one (1) 1/4 x 1-1/2 inch screw and cross dowel nut to fasten the opposite table end to the first under support piece. Keep this loosely fastened.
7
Step 7
Add the second of the three under-table supports. Use eleven (11) 1/4 x 1-1/2 inch screws and cross dowel nuts. Keep all of the screws loosely fastened.
8
Step 8
Use one (1) 1/4 x 1-1/2 inch screw and cross dowel nut to fasten the table end to the second under support piece. Keep this loosely fastened.
9
Step 9
Use one (1) 1/4 x 1-1/2 inch screw and cross dowel nut to fasten the opposite table end to the second under support piece. Keep this loosely fastened.
10
Step 10
Add the third of the three under-table supports. Use eleven (11) 1/4 x 1-1/2 screws and cross dowel nuts. Keep all of the screws loosely fastened.
11
Step 11
Use one (1) 1/4 x 1-1/2 inch screw and cross dowel nut to fasten the table end to the third under support piece. Keep this loosely fastened.
12
Step 12
Use one (1) 1/4 x 1-1/2 inch screw and cross dowel nut to fasten the opposite table end to the third under table support piece. Tighten this and all of the other screws for the table supports and table ends from the previous steps.
13
Step 13
Take two (2) of the X-axis rails (longer rails), ten (10) 1/4 x 1-1/2 inch screws and ten (10) 1/4 inch nuts; fasten the rails onto the first side of the table (above and below) using the screws (inserted from the top so the heads of the screws are oriented at the top of the table) and nuts. Tighten the screws only slightly so the rails can move horizontally, but not tip. This will allow the rails to be adjusted and tightened once the gantry is assembled and the gantry can auto correct the rail position.
14
Step 14
Take two (2) of the X-axis rails (longer rails), ten (10) 1/4 x 1-1/2 inch screws and ten (10) 1/4 inch nuts; fasten the rails onto the first side of the table (above and below) using the screws (inserted from the top so the heads of the screws are oriented at the top of the table) and nuts. Tighten the screws only slightly so the rails can move horizontally, but not tip. This will allow the rails to be adjusted and tightened once the gantry is assembled and the gantry can auto correct the rail position.
15
Step 15
Insert one (1) 1/4 inch ID (inside diameter) bearing into the bearing seat in the shaft end gantry side. The diameter of the seat is very close to the outside diameter of the bearing, so this process may require a rubber or wood mallet to nudge the bearing into this seat.
16
Step 16
With one (1) 3/8 x 2 inch screw, one (1) v-groove bearing, two (2) large 3/8 inch washers, one (1) thin 3/8 inch washer, one (1) 3/8 inch nut, assemble the components as shown in the illustration. It is very important that the thin washer is between the v-groove bearing and large washer otherwise the outer race of the v-groove bearing will rub against the washer and the v-groove bearing will not turn.
17
Step 17
Insert one (1) 1/4 x 1-1/2 inch screw and cross dowel nut into the shaft end gantry side. Turn the screw so that only a few threads of the screw is driven into the cross dowel nut. This will provide enough space for the upcoming v-groove assembly to be added.
18
Step 18
With one (1) 3/8 x 2 inch screw, one (1) v-groove bearing, two (2) large 3/8 inch washers, one (1) thin 3/8 inch washer, one (1) 3/8 inch nut, assemble the components as shown in the illustration making sure that the assembly is moved to the lower portion of the opening. Make sure the assembly is snug but not tight. This will enable the assembly to move up and down within this opening. It is very important that the thin washer is between the v-groove bearing and large washer otherwise the outer race of the v-groove bearing will rub against the washer and the v-groove bearing will not turn.
19
Step 19
Insert one (1) 1/4 x 1-1/2 inch screw and cross dowel nut into the shaft end gantry side. Turn the screw so that only a few threads of the screw is driven into the cross dowel nut. This will provide enough space for the upcoming v-groove assembly to be added.
20
Step 20
With one (1) 3/8 x 2 inch screw, one (1) v-groove bearing, two (2) large 3/8 inch washers, one (1) thin 3/8 inch washer, one (1) 3/8 inch nut, assemble the components as shown in the illustration making sure that the assembly is moved to the lower portion of the opening. Make sure the assembly is snug but not tight. This will enable the assembly to move up and down within this opening. It is very important that the thin washer is between the v-groove bearing and large washer otherwise the outer race of the v-groove bearing will rub against the washer and the v-groove bearing will not turn.
21
Step 21
With one (1) 3/8 x 3 inch screw, one (1) v-groove bearing, two (2) large 3/8 inch washers, two (2) thin 3/8 inch washer, one (1) #25 Idler Sprocket, and one (1) 3/8 inch nut, assemble the components as shown in the illustration. It is very important that the thin washer is between the v-groove bearing and large washer and another thin washer is between the idler sprocket and the large washer otherwise the outer race of the v-groove bearing and/or the outer race of the idler sprocket will rub against the washer and the bearing will not turn.
22
Step 22
With one (1) 3/8 x 2 inch screw, two (2) large 3/8 inch washers, one (1) thin 3/8 inch washer, one (1) #25 Idler Sprocket, and one (1) 3/8 inch nut, assemble the components as shown in the illustration. It is very important that the thin washer is between the idler sprocket and the large washer otherwise the outer race of the idler sprocket will rub against the washer and the sprocket will not turn.
23
Step 23
With one (1) 3/8 x 3 inch screw, one (1) v-groove bearing, two (2) large 3/8 inch washers, two (2) thin 3/8 inch washer, one (1) #25 Idler Sprocket, and one (1) 3/8 inch nut, assemble the components as shown in the illustration. It is very important that the thin washer is between the v-groove bearing and large washer and another thin washer is between the idler sprocket and the large washer otherwise the outer race of the v-groove bearing and/or the outer race of the idler sprocket will rub against the washer and the bearing will not turn.
24