Straining the old grey matter!

Straining the old grey matter!

This topic has 3 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 9 November 2026 at 22:39 by Geoff Dunsby.

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9 November 2026 at 20:09 #873762
Geoff Dunsby
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@geoffdunsby15757
Hello,

I been retired for last 10 years and to keep the old grey matter churning over I started playing with 3D printers. I bought a cheap Creality machine and then progressed to building my own ground up printer.
I’ve always been interested in engineering and decided a 3D cnc router/gantry mill would be a great challenge.
My workshop is based in a single garage next to my house. The centre lathe I have is an ex- US navy antique from WW2 and next to it is my Chinese mini mill.
These machines made engineering the cnc possible.
It’s taken me 2 years and a few false turns to produce a reasonable machine tough enough to machine metal reliably and accurately for my needs.
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9 November 2026 at 21:21 #873772
Nigel Graham 2
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@nigelgraham2
Interesting!

Do tell us more!
9 November 2026 at 21:49 #873775
Fulmen
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@fulmen
Go on…
9 November 2026 at 22:39 #873778
Geoff Dunsby
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@geoffdunsby15757
When i got interested in cnc machining i initially thought a plasma cutter would be ideal but soon my plans changed. A plasma cutter is very limited. Mainly a tool for ferrous metals and really it’s just a 2D device.

A CNC router was the way forward but most machines are lightweight wood cutters or commercial monsters. So….

Trying to locate a controller and software that works with my Mac was the first hurdle.

Planet CNC based in Slovenia makes both hardware and software that’s more like a professional product that’s very versatile.
My plan was a heavy duty router capable of machining steel and have a bed capable of handling (X)600mm x (Y)1000mm x (Z)100mm.

initially I used NEMA 23 open loop stepper motors but due to the mass and inertia of the gantry made it slow to avoid missing steps.
Recently the motors got an upgrade to NEMA 24 and X axis NEMA 34 closed loop. This transformed the performance.

there’s lots more to my story but let met know what interests you and we can go from there.
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