Good Evening guys. For you who are either very knowledgeable about CNC Routers & lathes or if you BUILT your own machines and where I might be able to educate myself. I am not asking for anyone to do something for me. I promise I'm not lazy
. I spent time researching but I hit a wall and I ask humbly for your sage advise
Might help to be specific in your needs.
As far as educating yourself, I'm sure there are other paths, but mine included a degree in mechanical engineering and fifteen years working at a company that designed and built extremely large and extremely precise machines. Suffice to say that it isn't the sort of a thing one would normally just learn on their own over a short time.
When it comes to building a cnc for personal use, it is likely going to be a compromise between doing it right and doing it right enough. In my case, the 'right enough' was mostly limited by money. In many cases, 'right enough' will be limited by knowledge. As an example, I see a lot of people using round linear rails when profile rails are superior in nearly every way.
On top of the things that may seem easy, the devil is in the details. Are you doing your own machining? Are you starting with a machine and modifying it? Are you able to accurately measure everything when you are assembling it? Can you calculate the axis inertia ratios, and understand what they mean?
Not to discourage you by any means, and you are welcome to PM me with specific questions as they arise.
But...
...I have seen you ask a lot of questions about cnc machines and I know that you own a relatively substantial gantry-style machine. With the right accessories, that machine is capable of doing most everything a cuemaker needs. Why don't you build a removable 4th axis that indexes on the bed of that machine? figure out how to add whatever workholding and tailstock features you need.
My cnc took me the better part of a year to build (I did machining and had a full-time job), cost a decent chunk of change, and I still make modifications/additions to it. I can't imagine what it would have taken in money or time if I didn't have the background I have. I also only really built the cnc because I wanted to do it as professional development, to be the sole engineer, machinist, assembler, debugger, etc. on a machine.
All of this is to say that if you want to build cues, there are plenty of easier and cheaper routes than designing and building your own cnc.
