17 x 20 Tables

Two innovative and inexpensive machines

Overhead leadscrew CNC tableThese two 17 x 20 tables were the first ones for which plans were developed here at Solsylva.

They were designed to use materials efficiently, and to be solid enough to support a trim router.

The rails are made of a single10 foot joint of gas pipe with no waste. Standard sized 3 foot long threaded rods are used for the leadscrews.

The gantry is sized to use 1 x 4 lumber so few precise cuts are required; this helps to minimize the need for a table saw.
Dual Leadscrew Table
These machines do not require a base; therefore,  they can carve patterns in any size of stock, including floors.

The X leadscrew of one version is placed above the gantry and carriage.

The other model uses dual leadscrews with one on each side of the gantry.

The Z carriage was designed to be compact to permit clearance for the overhead leadscrew.
The dual leadscrew version costs around $45 more to build because of the belt and pulleys required to drive the two leadscrews.
The dual screws increase the rigidity of the system and permit a trim router to be pushed harder than the overhead leadscrew table permits.

These prototypes when powered by the HobbyCNC 200 oz.in. system can rapid at 30+ ipm.

Larger steppers and drives also can be used, of course. The Xylotex 425 oz.in steppers do not deliver enough high speed torque unless they use Dampers.

 Leadscrews with fewer threads per inch will also increase the speeds, and Acme Leadscrews improve performance.

The image on the right shows the table with casters.
These can be attached to an end-plate and the table can be rolled out of the way for storage.

The machines were all designed to use the stepper and drive systems from Xylotex and HobbyCNC. The recommended software is Mach3 or TurboCNC.
These suppliers work with the Do It Yourself market, and supply documentation and help forums for their products.

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The plans for these machines are included in the 5 Plan set. The plans for these two machines are combined in one chapter because they share a number of components.