Build Your Own CNC Router, CNC Machine, or 3D Printer

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Welcome!

Here, you will see a complete build of a CNC router from ground up, great CNC tutorials and products to help in the CNC Machine build process. Enjoy and keep watching for more videos and products. Need Help? 281-213-5643 - 9am-5pm CST, or visit the Forum.

Latest News and Tutorials

Website Changes:

We've been working hard to provide a better experience for all of our valuable users. You will notice a big difference to the overall look of the site. The content of each page has not changed, but how you view the site has. We have also transfered this entire site to another host for better scalability. Please let us know your experience with this site change (good or bad).

Cutting Full Depth and Better Dust Removal

Using our new water cooled 2.2kW spindle has benefitted us with less wear on our end mills and the ability to extract almost all of the dust created from milling. With the higher torque of the spindle, we are now able to mill at full depth, enabling an even wear along the full length of the flutes of the end mill. With the design of a new dust shoe and that the spindle does not use a blower to cool the spindle, dust is better extracted. Read more...

CNC Halftoning

In my usual morning reading, I came across a post at Evil Mad Scientist Labs showing off CNC halftones using ASCII art. I was compelled by one link in this post showing a very creative alternative to the usual halftoning done by a CNC machine. The link porvides the steps to achieve this effect using your CNC machine.

Steve Hobley'sFritz Lang's Theremin Stand

Theremin: A musical instrument that functions without any physical contact with the actual musical instrument. I've always though this is the perfect instrument for conductors!

Don't worry, this is not a theremin webpage, but I want to show you a theremin stand that was fabricated by Steve Hobley using his blackToe CNC machine. Steve stated that the use of eliptical shapes really shows-off the benefit of using a CNC machine. It's true, especially with the well formed slight curves and curvy forms spanning the legs. It would be interesting to know if the form itself has some influence on the musical note. Check it out

Steve Jobs - Young at 56

I was really shocked to hear of Steve Jobs death. What a life he has led!! Starting out, tinkering in a garage to becoming such a successful leader and innovator. He will be missed!!

A blackToe CNC Machine with a LASER!

I can't think of a better attachment!! Steve Hobley is in the final stages of implementing his laser onto his blackToe. The lines look nice, straight and crisp.

Pick and Place Machine Update

A full example is of the redFrog has been posted. Check out the performance and features of this machine. The machine will be available as soon as the assembly videos have been edited and posted. Read the R&D Page for the latest information.

Update: Camera is added to more efficiently determine component locations. A new video will be added shortly.

The Pick and Place machine "redFrog" is on the fast- track. So far, the machine is moving the reels. Pneumatic parts arrived today, so I should be picking and placing in no-time.

Rainy Day Magazine

The seemlingly unlikely publication has focused on one of these CNC Machine kits. Rainy Day Magazing is doing a build of a blueChick! So, why? Well, their interested in fabricating those really cool clocks you see on some folks walls, with the funky wooden gears. The blueChick is the perfect CNC Machine for fabricating these types of clocks.

blackToe with a Laser

Forget about sharks with frikin' lasers attached to their heads, put one on a blackToe. Well, blackToe CNC Machine, at least. The very active Stephen Hobley is attaching his laser on his blackToe. So, why not increase your breadth of fabrication and add a laser to your CNC machine? Check out his blog on his build progress.

whiteAnt Electronics Sneak Peek

Here is a sneak peek at the upcoming electronics for the whiteAnt. The electronics will be easy to assembly and connect with the whiteAnt. The layout and form factor was changed from the existing makerbot electronics so the bulk would be able to fit within the back of the whiteAnt and mostly hidden from view. Those that like the look of electronics can reverse this and apply the electornic to the other side of the back. Read more...

Roy Aylett's blueChick CNC Machine

From Roy's excitement of finishing the build of his blueChick CNC machine, he submitted a few photos and a video to share. Roy added an nice little enhancement to the CNC machine, enclosed the electronics with a throughtful layout, and adapted a smaller router within the provided mounts. Read more...

Steve Hobley's Clock Fabricated Using the blackToe CNC Machine

Steve has updated his clock. The clock now has a face, and the gears are painted to easily distinguish the major time functions. But the most important detail in this update is Steve's journey into tool changes during the clock face fabrication.

Wall clocks that exhibit the exposed gearing, pendulum fabricated out of wood, is a great showcase for clock functions and provides a great example for what CNC Machines can do well. Steve Hobley, using the blackToe CNC Machine kit, fabricated all of the gears for this clock.

Google SketchUp Primer on Personal Fabrication

The SketchUp folks did a great write-up on additive and subtractive fabrication as it relates to SketchUp. Moreover, they talk about some very important issues related to these processes. If you're starting out in CNC or 3D Printing, this is a must read.

Duncan's PCB Milled by the blackToe CNC Machine

Hmmm... Should it really be called PCB? It's not really printed, right? But it is a circuit board. This would be more appropriately called MCB, or Milled Circuit Board. Such a tiny item milled by a machine with a routing area of 2'x4'. Duncan wanted to show me this example to illustrate the fine work that is possible from this machine. Read more...

Maker Faire 2011!!

You know I love the Maker Faire, and this year, buildyourcnc.com will be there, along with James Kelly (Co-Author of Printing in Plastic: Build Your Own 3D Printer). I am so excited to go this year, especially because we will be in the "shed". We will be demonstrating the new whiteAnt 3D Printer/CNC Machine. We will also be introducing the book, and hopefully have some copies in the booth for folks to peruse and purchase. Here is a link to the Featured Maker page.

Mike M's Great Examples

CNC Machines are not only used for making the guitars! What about the cases in which they are stored, or showcased? Mike has done an excellent job creating intricate cases with glass fronts. But, you wouldn't put just any guitar in these cases. You would want the prized guitars in these cases. Just look at the detail that Mike put into this work using his blackToe CNC Machine. Read more...

Calibrating Your Axes

Do you know where your end mill is going? What, you don't have a dial indicator? No problem, calibrate your axis with my poor man's method. With just a little jogging and a bit of easy math, you will be able to calibrate your axes.

A Few Exciting Announcements

More machines and updates, new book on plastic printing and a presentation. If you have been following my Youtube Channel, you may already know some of the things I am doing.

There will be another book published from Apress with the same co-author, James Kelly, on 3D plastic printing. This book will lay out the latest on the technology in one convenient place. So, what machine? The whiteAnt. This is a new, very small form factor of a machine that will be structurally capable of CNC work and be adjusted to allow for seven inches of z-axis modeling and clearance.. The blueChick went through a drastic version change from 3.0 to 4.2. Yes, that version is one mark above the blackToe and blackFoot machines, for good reason. The blueChick now uses roller chain and moves the x-axis motor to the gantry to clear the underside for more structure, just in case you want very long x-axis travels. The z-axis motor is also completely relocated and reoriented. A 6 foot wide machine is in development and has the capability for very long z-axis lengths. The gantry is made much larger to be able to extend the z-axis to as much as 36 inches for foam carving and harder material as the z-axis rises. Also, the gantry is lowered closer to the table for the possibility of higher cutting feedrates and easier cutting of aluminum and steel. Four and five foot wide versions will also be available, and for sheet goods, will include an option for a table (require 8 sheets of 4'x8' to fabricate... whew!). The long z-axis depth will require a frame rather than a table.I will be presenting at TexFab on February 11 at the University of Houston. The topics that I will cover includes: a survey of the latest in digital fabrication, the process from CAD to prototype and the details of CNC machines and how they work (structurally, mechanically and electrically).

Two Posts to the Gallery

Here is a gallery update that shows what Mark Gottschalk has been up-to with his 2'x8' machine. Check out a few images of his work and visit his Etsy's page. Yes, CNC Machines can make things much larger than the size of the routing area. One fine example is Rahim Akbar, an amazing artist and fabricator of HUGE Panels! His current panels measure 8'x8' made with the 4'x8' blackFoot and exhibit a cultural influence. I'm also showing a machine from Clint W. He make all kinds of things from signs for his business to furniture. He is also dabbling with the machine design with his early version 2.2 blackToe. He has some really cool enhancements that I may add onto my machine.

Announcement: New Material

The materials used for the structure of the machines have changed from MDF to the high quality birch during the last year, and now I'm making another change. MDO, or Medium Density Overlaid Plywood has the properties that even exceed birch plywood. This incredible material has a resin fused onto both sides of the plywood with heat and pressure to make the material resist water and make the wood much more stable. After testing the material for a few months now, I am providing this material for all of the kits. I was introduced to this material by Philip Wise, a user of this site and a great contributer to the forums, which shows the rich environment open source provides. Here is a good source of information for MDO.

CNC Electronics and Wiring

Most of the tutorials on this site are created in response to the difficulties I see users having with machines mechanics, structural dimensions and the electronics that drive their CNC machines. Overwhelmingly, I have noticed that the electronics pose the most difficulty with new users. I have put together another set of wiring instructions that demonstrate a methodology that begins with a simple and straightforward wiring of only one driver and motor and follows with the remaining drivers while testing throughout. The steps per inch for many forms of mechanical option are also explained in depth. Read on and view the videos...

Alden G's CNC Machine and Narrative

I have seen many builds based on the step-by-step instructions on this site, but when I see the the DIY community start to mix the ideas of one cnc machine with another, I get really excited. To take a machine and introduce concepts from another machine, like timing belt mechanics, is clever and welcome. Alden also is very creative with where he positions the drivers. Read more...

Primer on Homing and the Use of Limit Switches

Here are a few techniques on connecting switches and how to home the machine, Read more and see the videos...

The CNC Process - From CAD to Product

I have put together a video tutorial of the entire process from drawing a part in CAD (Computer Assisted/Aided Design) to the final product that is cut out from the CNC machine. Read on and watch the videos...

Start Building your CNC Machine from Scratch

Read the basics, tools and precautions then move on to Step 1: Linear Bearings

Make 21: Desktop Manufacturing

Check out the new edition of MAKE Magazine. If you pick it up, you will find a great article by James Floyd Kelly describing the CNC Machine you see here on this website (an enhanced version of the step-by-step seen to your left). He shows a glimpse of the CNC machine and the process that is outlined in the new book "Build Your Own CNC Machine" by Patrick Hood-Daniel and James Floyd Kelly and based on the machine in the Hardware Plans and kit.

Make, Files and blackToe

Have you seen the article? Tom Owad, author of the two page article in the latest Make Volume:18. CAM files are available for download for the version 1.3.

Latest Products

Single Flute Upcut End Mills

We just received our shipment of these new end mills that we will be offering. If you are not familiar with single flute end mills, they may appear somewhat strange to you. They have a single flute with a deep cavity to carry a lot of material out of the cut. It's like digging with a shovel that can hold much more dirt. These end mills are designed mainly for plastic but will work with wood and it is surprisingly more quiet than the two flute end mills. We have them in a variety of cut lengths from 1/2" to 1" (13mm to 26mm) and 1/8" (3.175mm) and 1/4" (6.35mm) cut diameters.

Steel Rigid Couplings:

We just received our steel rigid couplings. These couplings can be used for high torque situations and will work well under high inertia as well.Why do I use inertia in my explanation? If you have a heavy gantry and the gantry needs to change directions quickly, the gantry will want to keep going. These couplings will have no problem in these situations. We will be offering 1/4" to 1/4" and 1/2" to 1/2" varieties.

These rigid couplings are called clamping collars. They can be tightened around shafts and lead screws by tightening the four screws. Their application is generally to couple (connect) motors to shafts and motors to lead screws.

whiteAnt Electronics Available:

The electronics for the whiteAnt 3D Printer/CNC are now available. The electronics are offered as a bundle or as separate items.

greenBull 5X and 6X CNC Machine Kits:

The greenBull Kits are now available. These CNC Machine Kits are intended for very large sheet sizes (5 feet or 6 feet width versions available) or large format 3D carvings. Torsion box tables are sold separately.

Torsion-Box Tables:

To provide a stiff and flat surface for the greenBull Kits, we developed a modular torsion box table surface for use with these machines and for general user as well. These machines can be purchased to suit any length desired.

New 3D Carving Tool:

If finer detail is needed in your next 3D carving, consider using this end mill. This end mill features a tin 1/32" tip and is available with ZrN Coating. Read More...

Emergency Stop Pushbutton

We will start stocking a variety of buttons, starting with this Emergency-Stop Pushbutton (E-Stop) for your CNC Machine. This button has ratings high enough to wire stright through the AC line with 120 volts at 10 amps, or 240 volts at 6 amps. You can also wire this through an input on the breakout board. Go here to purchase.

blueChick 4.2 Options

Due to popular demand, we are now offering an option for the blueChick 4.2 without electronics. This option is great for those who have electronics of their own, or upgrading from another DIY machine. Check it out here.

Drive Sprocket

Previously, we have only offered sub 5/16" bore drive sprockets, until now. The 1/2" drive sprocket shown can be used on stepping motors with 1/2" shafts. This sprocket will be used on the new greenBull CNC Machine, installed on a 1/2" shaft that is coupled to the motor in the middle of the gantry. The 14 teeth will not provide as much mechanical resolution as the 9 teeth, but has the minimum number of teeth availalbe for a bore of this size. The product page has resolutions for the most common microstepping settings. Also, consider checking out our new video showing the general information on sprockets and how they are used.

3D Printing: whiteAnt CNC/3D Printer

Here is your chance to build a 3D Printing machine that can form 3D plastic models, literally from the bottom-up. Traditionally called an FDM machine (Fused Deposition Modeling), the whiteAnt will create 3D models by "depositing" extruded plastic from a nozzle, "fusing" the plastic, layer-by-layer, starting from the bottom of the model to the top. Change the form factor of the machine, by lowering the frame, inserting a Dremel, and you have a mini-CNC milling machine. Go here for more details.

All-in-one Electronics and Computer System

So, you've decided connecting the electronics is just not your thing! And, making it work with your computer is just out of the question! Here is a complete CNC electronics system and basic computer all-in-one, tested and ready to go. This is not a kit. This system is put together in-house, by us with great care and attention to detail. All you need to do is put the motors where they need to go, connect a monitor, keyboard and a mouse, and you can start to move the machine! Take a look at the offering.

Rigid Couplings

We are now offering Rigid Couplings. These couplings are great at minimizing, or eliminating backlash since they clamp on to two shafts and is one solid piece. These couplings have actually been used here for a while in the blackToe and blackFoot machines, but have not been offered as a separate part, until now, and due to overwhelming request. At this time, we are offering two main types: 1/4" to 1/4", and 1/4" to 1/2". You can purchase them here.

blueChick version 4.2 CNC Machine Kit

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. See here for more details.

V-Groove Bearings:

These bearings are meant to ride along a rail. The V (or W) profile of this bearing accepts the edge of a rail and uses this to guide along a straight line. The v-groove bearings feature dual races (two slots or cavities within which the ball bearings slide).

General specifications: intended to work with 3/8" screws, but you can also use bushings. Here is the datasheet. In addition to these being used inthe blueChick, blackToe and blackFoot machines, they are also widely used in linead slides for all types of industrial uses. You can purchased them here.

Roller Chain:

The #25 roller chain is now available. #25 roller chain has a pitch of .25". Use this chain with the #25 drive and idler sprockets. Go here for more.

CNC Electronics:

Check out our new motors, drivers and new lower prices. We added a NEMA34 Motor, a compatible driver with high current rating and updated all of the prices for the main electronic components.

#25 Chain Components

The #25 idler and drive sprockets are finally available. These are hard to find components and we have them at great prices. These are the components that are used on the machine kits available on this website (blackToe and blackFoot). The idler (top photo) is used to simply guide the chain where you want it. The drive sprocket is the important component that connects directly to the motor shaft to transmit motion to the machine. The drive sprocket is selected for its few number of teeth to translate to the highest mechanical resolution. For example: this sprocket has 9 teeth. Multiply this by the pitch of .25", you have 2.25 inches of travel for one turn of the motor. Standard stepping motors have 200 steps per revolution and multiplied by, say 16 microsteps, you can get 1422.222 steps per revolution, or (200*16)/(9*.25). Check here.

3/8" Lead Screw and Antibacklash Nut:

If the bigger lead screw is not your thing, check out this smaller lead screw at 3/8" in diameter. It's not too small to be fragile and not too big to cramp the space in a small CNC machine. The specifications we are offering 3/8" diameter, 10 threads per inch at 2 starts. Thats 5 turns per inch. Check them out here.