Original 5 Machines Manual
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Belt Drive Table
Belt Drive Table
27.5 x  64  Inch Cutting Area
These plans are no longer available. The newer machines are based on these older models.

The tables were designed to be inexpensive and accurate for the cost.
Table parts  Primarily off-the-shelf from home centers and department stores.
Part descriptions and sources for the other components are provided in the plans.
This site gives a list of software, stepper and drive suppliers.

Manuals This older-original manual includes directions for the five machines shown on this page. The plans contain hundreds of images and dimensioned CAD drawings, with step by step written instructions.

25 x 37 Dual Leadscrew Table
  Dual Leadscrew Table
25 x 37 Inch ( 640 x 950 mm) Cutting Area

All machines were designed around the drive, stepper and power supply packages sold by Xylotex and HobbyCNC. These cost $250 to $600 depending on the desired features.

Tables' cost (Not including the above drive packages)
Fixed Gantry Table: Less than $100
Smaller Blue Tables: ~ $250
Belt Drive: ~ $600



The 3 Plans Manual includes more images and details than this original 5 Plans Manual.

The 3 Plans Manual's 25 x 25 machine is similar to the dual leadscrew machines shown on this page, but it requires less labor, and fewer parts and tools to build. It was also designed to easily permit upgrades to Acme leadscrews.

Note that the 3 Plans Manual does not include an overhead leadscrew or a belt drive version.
13 x 13 Fixed Gantry Table
Fixed Gantry Table
13 x 13 Inch Cutting Area
This machine is in both manuals.

Cutting areas
Belt Drive Table  X 64"   Y 27.5"   Z 7"
Dual Leadscrew Table X 37.5"  Y 25.5"  Z 6.5"
Small  Blue Tables  X 20"   Y 17.5"   Z 4"
Fixed Gantry Table X 13"   Y 13"   Z 5"

Footprint Size
Belt Drive Table 3' x 6'
Dual Leadscrew Table 36" x 49"
Small Blue Tables 31" x 33.5"
Fixed Gantry Table:  18" x 25"
Overhead Leadscrew Table
Small Overhead Leadscrew Table
17 x  20 Cutting Area

Accuracy  Very good for the cost. Pictures are worth thousands of words.

Stepper Size  200 oz.in. for the 13" x 13" and 17 x 20 inch prototypes. 269 to 425 oz.in. for the 25 x 37 inch, the Belt Drive table.

Speed  35+ inches per minute rapids, depending on the leadscrews. The belt drive rapids at over 200 ipm.
Small Dual Leadscrew Table
Small Dual Leadscrew Table
17 x  20 Cutting Area
These original leadscrew machines were designed around hardware store threaded rod leadscrews. These can be upgraded, but upgrades are not covered in these older plans.

The newer 25 x 25 and the Rack/ Leadscrew machines were designed to use a variety of leadscrews, and these upgrades are addressed in the 3 Plans Manual.  The Rack/Leadscrew machine was designed to carry a full sized router. The machines in this 5 Plans Manual use trim routers.
 
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.

These are all real machines that have been built and tested in this shop.