Does anyone here have their own CNC router or use one on a daily basis?

I haven't used a CNC in a really long time, but I had the idea that I'd build my own.

I know I'll need stepper motors, bearings, controllers, etc. but when it comes to software, I have no idea what to look for.

Back in the days when I used a CNC, all I had to do was select the program & make adjustments if something got out of spec, but now I'll need to make my own designs & program them myself.
I'm sure I'm going to need more than one piece of software to create, edit, plot & run the programs, but it's been so long & there have been so many advances in software since then, I really don't know where to start.

I'd like to be able to make custom signs & route parts in wood, lexan, plexiglas, circuit boards & maybe even aluminum. For the router, I'm thinking about using one of my PC 690 1.5hp... they should have plenty of power for pretty much anything I'll ever do... I've seen some videos online where people use trim routers or even a dremel, but I have to be different & have more power.

Any ideas, comments, suggestions??

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I only SEE it being run at my work
Too many gizmos and dodads connected to
The computer!
The operator runs it off the main computer and
It starts cutting/routing

I work at Action Signs

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1999 Ford Ranger XL
Vulcan V6, K&N 33-2106 Filter, 3:73 Gears,
FRONT 3'' Susp Lift/REAR 3'' susp.+ 3" blocks,06 Mirrors
31"/10.5"-15" BFG on AR-172 Polished Rims,Smitybilt Console
95 Mustang Saleen Seats,Alternating Blinker MOD
Pioneer CD/iPod/GPS,6.5 Polk Audio/6.5 Sub-Woofers,
Stainless Bed Extender,Throttle and Dome Light MOD,
12" Tool Box,Billet Grille,NightShade Tint,Projector Headlamps
6000K H.I.D. so i can see at night! LOL

JESUS is LORD!

MasterCam3d
AutoCad
RhinoCad
these are the programs I used when I ran the cnc at my old job. I mostly hand wrote the code on the computer for the stuff I wanted to make. Mastercam is a great program for drawing up your designs and rendering them, when I used it in school I believe it converted it into cnc code for you but I can't be foresure it's been awhile. Autocad is another awesome program. Those are the two I would recomend

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2008 ford escape xlt 3.0 v6 4x4

94 xlt 5spd longbed,
Was a built 2.3 turbo currently no motor or trans
5.0 swap coming soon
6/5 drop with dream beams,8.8 373 posi,17x9 wheels,swp seats,8k hids, autometer guages, Wideband o2, shiftlight, illusive trans x-member, 01-04 4x4 front bumper
PNW Crew
AC

I can't quite remember what program we used in school, but I know we hand wrote the code with negatives as it followed a grid system. The code was something like (6,3) etc. The computer we used was an absolute dinosaur, therefore what was easy then is horrifying now.

However finding information on running a CNC shouldn't be hard at all. I'm sure there has to be a metal work and or wood work forum somewhere on the internet that would have some insight into custom home CNC machines and programs.

hey buggman was searching the net for cnc forums for you and run across this one figured it would help you out....

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/index.php

was skimming thru it and it's got a section for building a machine and several different discussions on software....

while checking it out a little further found this website that looks like instructions how to build the whole machine....

http://buildyourcnc.com/default.aspx

LOL,
I ran across those sites last night too
Guess I'm gonna have to sign up & get the scoop.

I don't know when or if I'll ever get started on this project, but if it works out, I hope to be able to produce a lot more cool ranger mods.

I read a little about the Mach3 (or something like that) software that seems pretty popular for sending the signal through the parallel port to the motor controllers, but not a lot about the design software.

Ideally, I'd like to be able to scan in an image & convert it into a file that the software could recognize to form a cut pattern, but with my luck I'll have to manually enter each detail by hand somehow.

Still reading up & watching videos for ideas for the machine design. As usual, I'll probably take some ideas from several designs to create something of my own design... unless I find a free plan that's simple to build & flexible.

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it would be cool if you could take the new ranger badges and put custom in them around the xlt to make it say custom xlt....

If you go with a program like mastercamx4, I would definitely suggest getting another cad program such as autodesk inventor or solidworks. Mastercam does translate all those points into the code that is needed to run the machine, but for drawing something complex, like on a CNC mill, go solidworks or inventor. If you're just gonna use it for signs, mastercam would work really well. Make sure you take the time to play around with the software to get a feel for it. Good luck dude! Great plans!

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1998 XLT Extended Cab, 3.slow, Silencer Alarm, CAI, Glasspack, CB, 3 Foot Antennas

*R.I.P.* 1996 XLT Extended Cab. 2.3 Liter Inline 4, 5 speed *R.I.P.*

I bet he puts LEDs in his machine!

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2000 Extended Cab XLT 2WD
3.0 V6 Flex Fuel...Pioneer Deck w/ Pink LCD screen....Mustang Dome with LEDs Thanks BuggMan!
Needs installed:Explorer OHC with Green LEDs

lol i think he may even have led's on his toilet...... i dont think he can do anything without led's..... but damn he makes some kickass mods with them....

Already thought about that...

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lol.....

just had a new idea for you to put some leds on.... put them around a pool..... sorry i know it's off topic but i thought it was funny.....