I’m brand new to this and understand about 1% of this forum (I have no idea, from a CNC technicalstandpoint, what the heck you guys are talking about). I want to buy all of the equipment to get started but I’m confused. I sent V1 an email and was directed here. I’ve tried to find my answer in this forum but have come up empty handed. Will someone PLEASE help?!?!?!?!
Below is my original message.
"I’m extremely excited to proceed with this CNC machine. I have been wanting a CNC router for years but couldn’t justify the cost for “home use”. I would like to make the purchase all at once but I am a bit confused and need some clarification. I am brand new to the CNC word and although I have a great deal of experience and talent with wood working, I am beyond a novice in the CNC world. As such I may be misspeaking here, but I will try and lay out my desires.
MPCNC machine with the following items/capabilities
-I plan on using the dewalt DW660
-Power Supply (what ever size I need based off of my specifications below)
-Control board, I have no idea what would work the best. Seeing as they are nearly identical in price I would go with whatever will be the most versatile and robust is that gives me the most options. Ease of use is important but so is function.
-3D printed parts. I don’t have a 3D printer (yet) and need them provided. I’d like to use the most robust and thickest pipes possible so to limit the amount of bending / sagging in the supports.
-I’d like to use the full graphic smart controller (big).
-I saw a video that installed limit switches on the x and y axis rales to “auto center” the machine. I would like to do the same.
-I’d also like to purchase all of the required accessories to install a 3D printer onto the machine as well.
-Drag Knife / Vinyl Cutter
-Emergency Stop Button
-Tool Mounts for Dewalt, Drag Knife, 3D printer, pen
-Any additional fans that are required
-Wire loom to keep the machine looking clean and professional
-Cutting tools. I have no idea which ones I need, but I’d like to purchase 3 of the most common/useful bits for the machine.
-Lastly, anything else that would make this machine the most versatile, easy to use setup possible. I plan on doing wood and 3D printing at first but later intend on getting into laser engraving and aluminum.
PLEASE someone help make sense of all of this. What should I purchase to get started?
Well. I don’t see a ton of questions in this. It really seems like you have most of what you want figured out.
If you use the shop link on this website you can get almost everything you want.
so here is what you still need to do.
figure out your machine size.
shop for conduit or stainless steel.
shop for matching parts on this website.
First you need to figure out the size you want to make. If you read the getting started pages and click on each picture it will walk you through it all. The reasoning and logic for large vs small short and tall. Ryan has the cut calculator so you will know how much conduit to get.
Next you will want to decide what you will use for conduit. Can’t get those from this website. I would suggest you shop around your local area for 3/4 inch stainless steel. It is a LOT more expensive but it is also stronger and looks cooler.
After you have your conduit picked out the. You can place your order from Ryan. In the shop get the kits to match what you need for size and conduit diameter. Based on your post you will want the Rambo board with dual endstops and the LCD display. 1/8 th inch bits two flute Round nose and flat end. And single flute for cutting aluminum.
The MPCNC can be adapted to 3D print but I don’t think it is as good as an actual 3D printer like the MP3DP. Your choice just my thoughts.
Welcome! You’re in the right place. And the folks here are more than helpful.
To start, you need the MPCNC parts bundle. If you want to do the dual endstops, then you want the RAMBo Dual Firm version. That will include the board, wiring etc.
Next you’ll need the printed parts. The measurements listed are for the outside diameter of the tubes. the 23.5mm works with 3/4" conduit found at your local big box (US only). The others, you’d source as stainless steel tubing.
The all metal extruder would get you going for 3D printing. The full graphic display will be compatible with the above parts.
Right now it looks like the store is pretty light on stock, probably as Ryan is moving.
So if you get a kit, printed parts, tool mount of your choice, then locally source your pipe, and tool, you have EVERYTHING to build a working machine.
3/4 is easy to get anywhere in the states. 1 inch is geared more towards the lowrider in the states, but is easier to get in other places. Go with the 3/4, it’s stupid cheap, and makes it easier to go slightly bigger if you need to. For now, stick with the recommended 2 foot square size. While you can use the mpcnc as a 3d printer, once you start milling, going back and forth is kind of a pain in the ass. For printing you need the legs to be taller, so you can print things taller than 2 or 3 inches, but for milling, you want them shorter to keep the flex out of the Z assembly.
In truth everything you would buy in the US is supposed to be 3/4 inch. Conduit or Stainless steel. The difference is the outer diameter. For conduit you would use the 3/4 inch printed parts. For stainless steel I think you would use the 1 inch printed plastic. I think. Not sure you would want to check the parts page.
i would suggest not making it a 3D printer so I would suggest the 6 amp power supply. But if you want to make it a printer then you will need the 30 amp power.
And read all the tutorial/instruction on the site. A few times. Helped me really see what was going on and why. The machine build threads made more sense after that, so it might be worth going back through those later, too. And Some Old Guy Coding has a bunch of really nice videos on youtube. Sounds like you’ll build your machine differently, but MAN does he make a good job out of explaining why he did what he did. Worth the time.
And then enjoy every minute of the process! If you’re a tinkerer you’re about to land in heaven. And then be frustrated. And then have many eureka moneys. And then be terrified to plug things in. And then you’ll be building 3d printers and low riders and ZenXYs and then another MPCNC.
Being a beginner I would suggest keeping it simple to start with. Touch plates, end stops and dohickies are great ideas but not necessary to begin with and can be too much to take on all at once. Each moving part or connector is one more possible problem. Build a basic machine, figure it out then upgrade if you think you need to. There is a lot of cool things happening to this machine here but I think these people enjoy tinkering with the machine more they enjoy woodwork.
I run a basic MPCNC and can cut 6mm deep inlays tight enough that I need to press the two pieces together. I use a piece of foil tape and multimeter if I need a touch plate.
My biggest hurdle was finding and learning a program to create cut files, I found inkscape to have a wealth of tutorials on YouTube. These tutorials are geared towards graphic design but teach the basic fundamentals of using the program.
I also sense some frustration from trying to email Ryan. Please understand he does this by HIMSELF! The forums here are probably the best tech support of any cnc company you can find and it is amazing at how often and how quickly Ryan himself is able to answer forum questions 7 days a week! It’s pretty crazy how loyal and protective his customers are of him because of this.
So just to be perfectly clear. As this comes up a lot and Ryan seems to get a lot of hate mail for it… for CONDUIT 3/4" is referring to the INSIDE diameter. But for stainless tubing it’s sold by OUTSIDE diameter. There is not an MPCNC printed part set for 1" conduit.
Honestly, bang for the buck wise, just get a Geeetech A10 or a Creality Ender3 for 3D printing. They are both sub $200 and will probably get more desired results to begin. Learn to ride the bike before you try to make one, then you’ll have an understanding of what you want in a 3D printer for your next one.
