DIY'ers List of Materials for DIY table

[rbmgf7]

Maybe sticky material?

Figure it would be beneficial for anyone wanting to build a DIY table to have some references to go by. I know it would help me experience newer CNC material. This is for the true DIY'er. Not so much turn-key "DIY" kits. I know some of us just have that itch to do everything ourselves. Foolish and expensive? Maybe. But, we just like it that way.

From my experience, Ebay is a decent source. Some retailers have stores on Ebay, already. I'm not endorsing or advertising. There's also going to be a lot of overlap since some of the website are CNC retailers of some sort.

Structure/Table

• If you don't have access to metal fab equipment:
  8020 - http://www.8020.net - Aluminum extrusions. Basically, expensive Legos for adults.

Linear motion and actuation

• Motion Contrained - http://www.motionconstrained.com - Domestic source for Hiwin linear rails.
  CNC Router parts (CNCRP) - http://www.cncrouterparts.com -Boltable gear and racks and V-groove rails.
  Moore Gears - http://www.mooregear.com/ - Great source for gear and rack setup
  McMaster-Carr - http://www.mcmastercarr.com - Another source for gear, rack, LM, and all types of hardware.
  Openbuilds - http://openbuildspartstore.com/ - V rail extrusions along with other CNC sources.

Motors and Drivers

• Stepper Online - http://omc-stepperonline.kancart.com/ - Found them on eBay. Imported and distributed in US. Plethora of steppers.
  Teknic - http://www.teknic.com - BLDC "stepper killer" motors. Brilliant motors but expensive. I have these installed on my router table and they are awesome.
  GeckoDrive - http://www.geckodrive.com - Great stepper drivers but expensive. G540 is a pretty common driver to use.
  Leadshine - http://www.leadshine.com/ - More affordable stepper drivers
  CNCRP - http://www.cncrouterparts.com - Nice steppers with molded DB25 cables and the Nema 23 frame has 0.375in shafts.

Controllers, THC, Ohmic, and anything related to electronics

• Smoothstepper - http://www.warp9td.com - USB and Ethernet motion controllers. If you want THC function, get the ESS!
  Pokeys - http://www.poscope.com - Motion controllers with great BOB's and internal programming features. I have little experience with these but they are pretty neat.
  CNC4PC - https://cnc4pc.com/ - Just a retailer of all sorts of CNC hardware: Smoothstepper, Pokeys, HIND, etc.
  Proma Elektronica - http://proma-elektronika.com - Affordable THC. Works with Hypertherm's 0-7VDC CPC or other plasma units up to 300VDC (I believe).
  Sparkfun - http://www.sparkfun.com - General hobby electronics. Switches, buttons, wires, passive components, etc.
  Adafruit - http://www.adafruit.com - Same as Sparkfun.
  Automation Direct - http://www.automationdirect.com - Great source for industrial grade electrical components.
  Not sure on ohmic sensing. I know of Neuron but their website is corrupt and haven't seen any listings on Ebay lately.
  Automated Technologies - https://www.automationtechnologiesinc.com/ - General CNC supply. They have it all!

Feel free to post to add to the list. Try to keep the format the same with a short description. Would be nicer if there was a way the admins could make this post free to edit.

[marcnaz]

I didn't see https://www.automationtechnologiesinc.com/
in the list. I've always been very happy with their prices and service.

Also Ebay shouldn't be overlooked for import electronics and ball nuts/screws etc. There is also an 80/20 store on ebay that has some good prices on odds and ends and cutoff from larger orders.

[rbmgf7]

I didn't see https://www.automationtechnologiesinc.com/
in the list. I've always been very happy with their prices and service.

Also Ebay shouldn't be overlooked for import electronics and ball nuts/screws etc. There is also an 80/20 store on ebay that has some good prices on odds and ends and cutoff from larger orders.

Ha! I actually have them bookmarked. Haven't personally bought from them but they're on the list now!

[jimcolt]

Don't forget www.candcnc.com www.precisionplasmallc.com www.flashcutcnc.com

Jim Colt

[Capstone]

Don't forget http://www.candcnc.com http://www.precisionplasmallc.com http://www.flashcutcnc.com

Jim Colt

Thanks Jim, I was just about to point out to the OP that he was trying to talk about all the basketball great and didn't even mention Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.

[jimcolt]

The vast majority of DIY machine builders in N. America are pretty good at fabricating the metal frame, the gantry and the torch carriage of one of these machines. Re inventing the moving parts as well as the electronics is often the tough part unless you have experience in mechanical and electrical engineering. The companies I mentioned are definitely the all stars when it comes to these components. They each offer advice and equipment that will ultimately save time, save mistakes (which take time and money) and ultimately will save money on a machine build. Jim Colt Hypertherm

[rbmgf7]

Yeah, I was posting for the DIYer that wants to do it all. I wanted to experience the build from the ground, up. All my electronics are integrated by me and the structure is designed and built by me. I had some experience with NC and controls so I just wanted to explore that some more. Yes, I am an engineer, lol. Next upgrade is to program my own THC with a Controllino Mini I have sitting on the shelf. I currently have a Proma and it's mediocre.

[jimcolt]

I'd be happy to share my knowledge of the functions of a good plasma THC. The first one I worked with was in 1980, which was the first arc voltage feedback height control from Hypertherm.

Jim Colt

[rbmgf7]

That'd be nice, Jim. I know you're a busy man so whenever you get the chance.

[Jopz24]

Well well well, where to start?

[Jopz24]

Some reference for this?
http://openbuildspartstore.com

[Dana gear]

universal plasma torch breakaway unit that flat works great and can be mounted to just about any riser assembly.
We been running 2 for a couple years now, saved our torches more then once.
www.plasmatorchprotectionsystem.com

[Netta]

Thank you for sharing this. You help me a lot with this resource

[john inslag]

http://neuroncnc.com/ best thc ever! i have the lite version

http://neuroncnc.com/products/lite

[asuratman]

Have you started the table yet ?

[N2 Welding]

Is there a thread or a sticky that explains Everything there is to know about all the hardware that is used on a CNC plasma table, how it is hooked up and or other threads that explain the different types of software used in specific or general table build designs? Sorry FNG here looking to learn as much as possible as quick as possible.

[brucer]

Price Avhc10 Torch Height Controller https://www.pricecnc.com/

[Rickortiz9]

I'd be happy to share my knowledge of the functions of a good plasma THC. The first one I worked with was in 1980, which was the first arc voltage feedback height control from Hypertherm.

Jim Colt

Jim, I myself have been looking into a new THC for my table. Currently I am running a Proma 150, but I don't feel like its that great of a controller. I have a 4x8 table built by Premier Plasma, Hypertherm Powermax 65, using Mach 3, and sheetcam. I'm looking to upgrade my THC, but have no idea who makes a quality, affordable THC. Any insight would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[acourtjester]

Hi Not Jim but here is what I have used and like, you can spend more money for more sophisticated ones but this will do the job fine.
Same as Brucer above posted
https://youtu.be/EyZJVMtzKzY

[SegoMan DeSigns]

Teknic - http://www.teknic.com -"SDSK "stepper killer" motors are an all in one that is cheap by comparison of the others for its features..

[BrooklynBravest]

Does anyone have the dxf or fusion model file for the 2x3 gantry bearing assemblies?

[Jgorm]

Z axis setups including magnetic breakaway and floating heads. https://step-motion.com/

[cnckeith]

New Made-in-USA Plasma THC CNC Controller
https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... oller.html