2nd Build (first) - CNC Router

[Brian Lamb]

Good points on the Z, but I would place the Spindle motor in such a way that the shortest tool ever used would be pretty close to flush with the lowest hanging portion of the carriage, that way you can take advantage of all the Z you can get.

[David Falkner]

Good points on the Z, but I would place the Spindle motor in such a way that the shortest tool ever used would be pretty close to flush with the lowest hanging portion of the carriage, that way you can take advantage of all the Z you can get.

Ah, tricks of the trade - Thanks!! I'm new to the CNC world so tips are appreciated.

[David Falkner]

Finished the stand today. I know I'm thorough but this took me about 20 hours to build and I have no idea if that's slow or fast or about average. It's actually fast for me and I managed to do it in two sessions - 8 hours yesterday and 12 today.

All the pieces that will contact the CNC frame are jointed to ensure they're flat and straight and each hole was drilled with 1/8" for threads, 3/16" for the barrel, countersunk for the head, and securely tightened, so about 4 operations for each of the hundred or so fasteners. Each joint is square and tight and then the entire stand was sanded. I may come back later and put some Shellac on it but not today.

A friend is coming over tomorrow and bringing his engine hoist so we can lift the frame onto the stand. More later!!

David

[David Falkner]

We managed to get the CNC frame lifted over the table saw extension and on to the stand. The stand worked perfectly, so that's a good feeling. Nothing creaked or moved and it is dead level with the additional nearly 500 lbs. of weight just as it was without the frame weighing it down.

My friend Adam, also a good woodworker, brought his engine hoist over and we managed to maneuver the CNC over the obstacles and set onto the stand and only had to move my air compressor to make room. That's not a bad feat given how tight this was.



CNC frame on the stand -

[Mike Heidrick]

Getting closer. Looks great. You get a serious time catapult when buying your machine built for you for sure. They built a nice stout looking machine.

[David Falkner]

Getting closer. Looks great. You get a serious time catapult when buying your machine built for you for sure. They built a nice stout looking machine.

Thanks, Mike! I agree on the jump forward; I was going to get this machine from Nate but when I started talking to him I learned he was coming out with a Pro line. So I jumped on the bandwagon and got the first one. His website now has this Saturn CNC listed (and the photos are of our CNC). And yes, it is very stout!

[David Falkner]

Here's a good shot of the CNC in our shop. There's some clutter from moving things around to make room for this but I'll get that organized and cleaned up soon. You can see the spindle, steppers, and other components on the bench so hopefully I'll get a chance to start mounting those over the next few days.

[ed vitanovec]

Nice machine! I am considering one of these Saturn CNC routers. A question, what is the foot print dimensions of the square tube frame? I am looking either build a stand or buy one that might be close in size to work.
Thank you!
Ed

[David Falkner]

Nice machine! I am considering one of these Saturn CNC routers. A question, what is the foot print dimensions of the square tube frame? I am looking either build a stand or buy one that might be close in size to work.
Thank you!
Ed

Thanks, Ed! The frame and stand are both 43" x 62" although the cable tray and steppers will hang over the stand a bit. With the stand I designed and built that places the steppers about 38" high and at that height the width of the machine is 52". Does that help?

[Bruce Page]

I didn't think I would ever be able to say this but your shop is more crowded than mine!

[David Falkner]

I didn't think I would ever be able to say this but your shop is more crowded than mine!

LOL! There is a lot packed in there but thankfully I have room to do what I want and that is staying focused on building acoustic guitars. If I was building cabinets or large sheet goods items this wouldn't work at all. But the longest piece I typically cut is 36" or less. It's packed but it flows well from task to task. Let's just say it's efficient

[David Falkner]

Added some locator blocks to keep the frame on the stand. I figure gravity will do its part to hold the machine down onto the stand but inertia and momentum may persuade the unit to slide on the stand. Hopefully this will suffice. There are 4 of these blocks in opposing directions, two on each end.

[Mike Heidrick]

For my spindle I ran Igus Chainflex power cable to the Amphenol Ecomate connector. I changed out the chinese solder cup junk connector for the ecomate.
connectors
http://www.digikey.com/catalog/en/pa...mate-c016/2185

power cable
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=10&ved=0ahU KEwj269_Mn_fNAhVKgiYKHUxwC2YQFgheMAk&url=http%3A%2 F%2Fdatasheet.octopart.com%2FCF30-100-04-igus-datasheet-28917.pdf&usg=AFQjCNEIHYChvnPIbR25ZV6A8fiB0K4EcQ&s ig2=pi3aMxtb4LduDHT4Aiofbg&bvm=bv.127178174,d.eWE& cad=rja





Pics of how I changed the plug out are here:
http://s39.photobucket.com/user/Bloo...?sort=3&page=2

[ed vitanovec]

David,

Thanks for the dimensions, just what I was looking for. Your machine is looking really good. When you ordered it, how long did it take to receive it?

Regards!
Ed

[David Falkner]

For my spindle I ran Igus Chainflex power cable to the Amphenol Ecomate connector. I changed out the chinese solder cup junk connector for the ecomate.
connectors
http://www.digikey.com/catalog/en/pa...mate-c016/2185

power cable
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=10&ved=0ahU KEwj269_Mn_fNAhVKgiYKHUxwC2YQFgheMAk&url=http%3A%2 F%2Fdatasheet.octopart.com%2FCF30-100-04-igus-datasheet-28917.pdf&usg=AFQjCNEIHYChvnPIbR25ZV6A8fiB0K4EcQ&s ig2=pi3aMxtb4LduDHT4Aiofbg&bvm=bv.127178174,d.eWE& cad=rja





Pics of how I changed the plug out are here:
http://s39.photobucket.com/user/Bloo...?sort=3&page=2

Thanks so much, Mike! I had seen those connectors on one of the many machines I looked at and wanted to find a source because I don't care for the 'toy' one that came with the spindle. And I need cabling so this really helps!
David