Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Cheap CNC Machines for Robotics

>I build robots for a hobby and I have come to a conclusion that I
>need some sort of machine to make parts. I am not exactly sure what I
>need so I came here hoping to find some information. I will need
>something cheap because I am only 15 and I dont really have much
>money. I have found some cheap machines for less tahn $2000
>

Hi Andrew, it's a worthwhile goal and you should shoot for it. I converted
my 3-axis Maximat to CNC for a total of about $2200, and that included
everything: ball screws and nuts, electronics, steppers, the driver cards,
PS, belts and pulleys and the basic software driver (Indexer-LPT, which
runs commands sent to it from DOS files or from direct writes from other
software). I spent about 40-50 hours doing the machining and hook-up. I was
rewarded with motion on my very first try. I used the machine itself to do
all the work, starting with manual and continuing thru various combos of
manual and CNC as I went along, and as I went I also wrote more and more
routines for the interface software. Things turned out well, and in fact
the last but one job I had on the mill was machining intake ports for a
race motor, using a routine that mills tapered, slanted holes. The only
advice I can give you that's quick and specific is: don't doubt yourself,
there's always a way to do what you want. If you have questions or need
more specifics, ask me offlist or on.

Regards, Hoyt McKagen

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