The Best DIY CNC Build on YouTube?
This video shows how I built my latest CNC machine using 2 inch steel tubes, 1605 ball screws and 20mm stainless steel rods with common tools and hardware. The build isn't difficult but drilling and tapping the hole locations are critical. If you're looking to build your own high-end machine, then this is for you. It's not the "best" CNC machine money can buy, but it is an excellent DIY machine and I'm very pleased with the results. With all the positive feedback I received from more experienced viewers, I have already started designing version 2 with some of the suggested upgrades.
APOLOGIES: I couldn't understand the numerous comments about my use of the word "best" in the title (I'm only three videos deep in YouTube). I even changed my cover image to make it more clear but was still getting comments. Now I understand... I hadn't noticed it before but I forgot to add the ? at the end of the title and never noticed it after publishing the video. Now it all makes sense. The "best DIY CNC build" doesn't mean "the best cnc machine" out there, I was referring to the actual build process (start to finish). In any case, I still welcome your comments and expert advise :)
Cost, Material and Hardware Used in Build (at least most of it)
Approx. $1500 (purchased over a couple years, not including controller and software license)
Stainless Steel 20mm Solid Rods (7 meters)
$50
Local Mill
4 Sets: SHF20 Aluminum Linear Rod Rail Shaft Support 20mm Linear Motion Guides (4pcs)
4 x $16
https://a.co/d/17nnXxJ
3 Sets: Ball Screw SFU1605 with nut 1000mm
3 x $50
https://a.co/d/5rsiCtz
3 Sets: DFU1605 RMU1605 Ball Screw Double Nut (1 used on X-Axis, have not switched the Y axes nuts yet)
3 x $18 each
https://a.co/d/9dTxdOV
3 Sets: SFU1605 Ball screw End Supports FF12
Guide Length: FK12 FF12
3 x $23
https://a.co/d/agQ3tzC
4 Sets: Linear Ball Bearing, LMF20LUU 20mm Extra Long Flange Bushing for 20mm Shaft (2 pack)
4 x 18.99
https://a.co/d/48guDZg
1: CNC Heavy Load Electric Precision Milling Sliding Table SFU1605 C7 Ball Screw SBR Guide 200MM Stroke (Z axis)
Color: Nema23 Motor bracket
1 x $130
AliExpress
3: Leadshine Closed Loop Nema 34 Stepper Motor (86CME80) 8N.m 6.0A
Shaft Diameter: 14mm
3 x $85 each
AliExpress
3: Leadshine CL86H Nema 34 Digital Closed Loop Stepper Motor Driver
3 x $65 each
AliExpress
1: Leadshine Nema 23 Stepper Motor (57CME23) 2.3N.M 5.0A Closed Loop
Shaft Diameter: 8mm
1 x $50
AliExpress
1: Cloudray CLE23 Nema 23 Digital Closed Loop Stepper Motor Driver1
1 x $40
AliExpress
3: Cloudray CRS-350 Switching Power Supply
Output Voltage: 48V
Power: 350W
3 x $35 each
AliExpress
1: Cloudray CRS-350 Switching Power Supply 36V
Output Voltage: 36V
Power: 350W
1 x $35
AliExpress
1: Water Cooled Spindle GDZ-65-800A 0.8KW 800W Spindle Motor ER11 220V 5A
Color: 220V
Length: 158mm
1 x $112
AliExpress
1: Diameter 65mm Aluminum Router Spindle Mount kit
Size: Option 2-65mm
1 x $33
AliExpress
1: AC 220V/2.2kw 3HP Variable Frequency Drive,12A VFD Inverter Single Phase to 3 Phase Frequency Converter for Spindle Motor Speed Control(Single-Phase Input, 3 Phase Output)
1 x $92
https://a.co/d/9IHtz5a
1: 800L/H 8W 7V Water Cooling Pump Tank with 4 Meters Pump Head & LED Power Indicator G1/4 Thread Fast Heat Dissipation CPU Cooling System
https://a.co/d/97wjBic
$60
1: Clyxgs Water Cooling Radiator, 12 Pipe Aluminum Heat Exchanger Cooling Water Drain Row with Fan Radiator for Computer CPU CO2 Laser Water Cool System
1 x $39
https://a.co/d/8VZ7o0h
4 Sets: Startnow Plastic Drag Chains Wire Carrier
Inner Size: 15x50
Bending Radius: TypeA (Bridge)
4 x $14
AliExpress
1: Rigid shaft coupler D32L45 clamp stepper servo motor coupling
Inner Diameter: 8X10
1 x $6
AliExpress
3 Sets: Rigid shaft coupler D32L45 clamp stepper servo motor coupling
Inner Diameter: 10X14
3 x $6
AliExpress
**************************************
CNC Control Board
Acorn CNC controller kit $329
https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_diy/acorn_cnc_controller.html
$329
Acorn Router Pro CNC software license $159
https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_diy/centroid_cnc_software_downloads.html
$159