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Woodsmith CNC Router

34K views 152 replies 39 participants last post by  OzarkJim 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hi all,
I am quite interested in the DIY CNC router featured in the current issue of Woodsmith magazine. It looks great and the components used all seem very good quality. My questions are:
a) Is anyone else considering this build?
b) Any reservations or concerns on the design?
c) Is there any downside to building your own CNC router? Tremendous cost savings and I think it would be a very cool project to make but is there any solid reasons why you wouldn't go down this path?

Many thanks.

Wood Hardwood Flooring Machine Machine tool
 

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#2 ·
I saw that too, a couple days after the magazine came out I went to a seminar at Woodsmith, so I asked about it. The fellow that gave the seminar is not the fellow that worked on the project but said he saw it in the shop and thought is was neat, but did not know anything about it. He did say it was a two magazine article build. I failed to ask the cost of the motors/kit.
So think their should be more in the next issue.
 
#3 ·
I looked at the the on-line parts list and was quite surprised at the cost of "their" sources. I think with a little digging you could find the electronics a bit cheaper.
 
#5 ·
The downside of building your own CNC is the lack of support from an overall manufacturer. You are basically on your own to ensure the proper function and usability of your machine.

This may not be a problem if you are the type of person to get in and figure things out. I've found that no matter how I build on my machine I can always come up with a better way down the road and I am too tempted to tear into it and rebuild it again.

Sometimes a situation will call for a turn-key machine that can become productive right away. The trade off is between time and money.

If the journey is about building a machine and you can spend time more than money, then there is no problem.
If the journey is about building projects on the machine right away, then plan on spending more money than time on a turn-key machine.

Additionally, you will find that the CAD and CAM software you use will determine the utility of whichever machine you have as much as, or more than, the specific hardware features of the machine.
 
#6 ·
Additionally, you will find that the CAD and CAM software you use will determine the utility of whichever machine you have as much as, or more than, the specific hardware features of the machine.

- DS
I can't speak to the initial question, but i will say that I've seen DS's last point made in nearly every single CNC convo I've heard or thread I've read
 
#7 ·
good project for good, tolerant, patient craftsman, CNC equipment requires these talents. Stepper motors are noise, the specs are very tight for accurate machining. The backlash in the leadscrew assemblies is critical. The possibility racking in the gantry always exists if anything is slightly off. It can be accomplished
 
#8 ·
I have been considering one for quite a while, having learned quite a bit about some of the basic mechanics and principles involved from my 3d printers. I don't think I would need one as large the article describes, but maybe more like 18Ă—24 inches, and using a palm router instead of a "real" router. I haven't looked through the article in detail, but I did notice they said the cost of the project minus software (and I think also not including a router) was about $1300. I still have a lot of questions though.

Wayne
 
#9 ·
I saw that article and have been considering building a CNC machine for a while now. Everytime I think about making one like the WS version, a little research always leads me back to buying a kit from OpenBuilds or possibly one of the Mill Right machines. While the challenge of making one from scratch sounds like fun, having never used one, it am not sure I would know what I don't know.
 
#10 ·
Well I'm going to jump in with both feet. I too looked at the OpenBuilds units. I think that DS really nailed it… if making the machine is as much of a goal as is making projects with the machine it's a good fit. If you just need a CNC and are only considering building for the cost savings you might be approaching it the wrong way.
I'm a pretty methodical guy, attention to detail, etc so am feeling that this will be a big challenge to see if I can match the tolerances required. Probably won't start until I see part 2 of the article but I've got a good idea now of what's going to be entailed as well as some ideas to improve on the design already (adding drag chains, emergency stop button, limit switches, overhead gantry mounted LED, etc.)
Will definitely post pictures once I get rolling.
 
#13 ·
Rick everytime I make a post about them usually add the "it's not a adult site". The name comes from the best bang for the buck and a good deal. It has been a safe site so far while using the PayPal option. I have been looking at a couple of their soldering stations and a lot extra laser burner parts. I'm very satisfied with the burner.
 
#14 ·
Bruce,

One piece of advice I would have for a DIY builder is don't skimp on the steppers, controllers, etc. If you like the process and want to go bigger you don't want to have to buy the hardware a second time.

When I looked at a DIY build initially the cost differences for the hardware was fairly nominal.

Mike
 
#16 ·
I'm on my 2nd version of my own CNC and looking at the video, I think you will learn a lot but you will be ultimately disappointed with the accuracy & repeatability and without close loop servo controllers, you're going to find that it will tear itself apart if you're not there to stop it.

I learned the hard way. Spent $$ buying a basic kit from pdjinc.com - without the controller & built my own. It's based on 80/20 frame with linear guide rails. Found that because it was put together with bolts and screws, it was constantly getting out of alignment as even a small bit of movement compounded over the 4'x4' area was enough to make things not accurate. The X Axis would get out of step & skew the gantry when something got hung up (ball screws can get gunk in them and they lock up) and if it wasn't for me being there, it would have torn itself apart.

Looking at the woodsmith one, with it made of wood, I just don't see how you're going to have the accuracy to do anything worthwhile.

I do so much with my CNC, such as dado's, dovetail slides, bowties to strengthen cracks in slabs, mortise & tennon, etc that I was going crazy with a few thousandths of an inch out (bowtie won't fit), or dado's that aren't the same width 24" apart - so your casework is tight on oneside & loose on another.

So, I enlisted a friend of mine to use his Haas mill to make all new brackets with threaded inserts and I upgraded from the 1/2" ball screws to 1" ball screws and added servos to ensure it won't get out of whack and lengthened the bed to 6' instead of 4', so now it's a 4Ă—6.

I was into this for about $6K initially, and then another $3-4K for the complete overhaul.

I can see the appeal of building your own. I learned an incredible amount, but the accuracy on a wood built CNC is going to only be able to those 3D relief carvings because they don't need the accuracy & no one would be able to tell the difference. If you want to do anything that requires repeatability and accuracy (dado's, butterflies, mortise & tenon, etc) you're going to need to have a more stable & robust platform.

I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed my CNC. It allows me to do things like the past 3 days where I cranked out 20 charcuterie boards with the same handle on all of them. I use vacuum hold downs to make setup a lot easier (most of the 3 days was jointing, glueing & planing).

But I would really tell you to head over to cnczone & check out their builds. They are serious. It's going to cost, but in the end you'll have a robust & accurate CNC.
 
#17 ·
Tmanpdx, you did raise many valid points in your comments that should not be ignored by those contemplating a CNC.
Rigidity is extremely important and, in my opinion, bolts in wood are not rigid enough!

And, nothing takes the fun out of wood working faster than a bad tool, whether it be a chisel or a CNC.
 
#18 ·
So reading all this I guess one has to decide "how accurate is accurate enough for what I'm going to do?"
I am NOT creating watch parts or circuit boards that need accuracy to .0001 I'm a woodworker, wanting to add CNC capabilities to my work. That might be relief carvings, might be curved templates etc - honestly at this point I really don't know what the possibilities are and probably won't till I start making stuff.

I understand the need for rigidity in the system and accuracy in the build for sure but I don't believe a statement like "bolts in wood are not rigid enough" is warranted across the board. The entire build is using Baltic birch plywood, nylon stop nuts, etc which in my opinion can make for a VERY rigid structure. For sure you need to be able to hold tight tolerances in the build but that is all part of the challenge of a DIY CNC.

Finally, I've asked to chat with the author at WS - I'd really like to know what the experience using this machine has been like and express some of the concerns being raised in this forum thread. We'll see what he says if he replies.
 
#19 ·
According to the WS video that Rick linked to above, they have been using their prototype machine for a couple of years. WS designs are pretty solid in my experience so I don't think that they would publish a design that isn't strong enough for woodworking. There are many successful DIY CNC designs out there that are made using similar materials and techniques. Even a few of the commercial machines use MDF or similar materials for the main structure of their machines. If you are inclined to make your own, this looks like a good one to try to me.
 
#20 ·
Bruce, you took my comment about screws in wood way too serious but you have to admit that a bolt in threaded piece of metal is much stronger that a threaded/inserted bolt in wood.

I guess it comes down to do you want to build a CNC or do you want to use a CNC?
Because I spent the latter years of my career in control systen design and automated testing I didn't want to spend my time in my shop building a CNC so I bought a CNC instead!
 
#24 · (Edited by Moderator)
I m on my 2nd version of my own CNC and looking at the video, I think you will learn a lot but you will be ultimately disappointed with the accuracy & repeatability and without close loop servo controllers, you re going to find that it will tear itself apart if you re not there to stop it.
......................

Looking at the woodsmith one, with it made of wood, I just don t see how you re going to have the accuracy to do anything worthwhile.
I strongly disagree.
My wooden CNC has been running for 10 years now, and it's just as accurate as a $6000 turn key machine.
I started building it in 2003, and have less than $1000 into it.

A wooden machine, properly built, can work very well.

I'm currently working on a 4Ă—8 wood machine that I expect to rival $25,000 steel machines.
 
#25 ·
If you do decide to go with the project, please let us know how it goes. I am really curious on how this machine holds up.

On the comments above, it really does depend on what you want to do with your cnc machine. Woodworking is a hobby for me. I have a mostly plastic hobby cnc machine but it really meets all my needs. I only do one of a kind gifts or pattern prototypes.

I do not do 2d cutouts with it since typically a table saw or bandsaw is faster than making a one off pattern. Not always but most times. If I had to cut a ton of same cuts that would change of course.

I can see this machine meeting a hobby woodworkers needs if it really works. It will be slow and accuracy may not be super precise but since its not doing production runs it really isn't an issue.

Regardless of what machine you have, software is a key to its success. CAD/CAM experience really helps unless you will be purchasing all your patterns. There a bunch of programs to play with. I would recommend grabbing any trial versions if available and start playing with them to see which one you like. Making custom cnc patterns is a ton of fun.

I had zero background in CAD/CAM as well in cnc when I started but after 6 years I feel very comfortable in making patterns and using my cnc. Expect a steep learning curve with the software at first but it will get easier.
 
#26 ·
I have built my own machine (aluminum extrusion, not wood), spent a little under $3K. The v-wheels on aluminum are reminiscent of designs from years ago. Different types of linear rails are now readily available and affordable, I would recommend the upgrade.
Wood Engineering Gas Machine Toolroom


I have not looked at their electronic components, but I know that many of the kits of parts sold on ebay or some of the chinese sites are poorly matched. I would do some research and make sure the steppers, drivers and power supply are all properly matched, for best results V = 32 x sqrt(inductance) . The video they show has very slow feed rates. In wood, you need fairly fast feed rates to have suitable "chip load", or you end up creating dust (and heat) and not chips at the high rpm of routers or spindles.. When the feed rates are too slow, the bits tend to overheat and dull more quickly.
 

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