Hi all, I bought a used 3018 after Xmas and fast discovered it was pants. A local lad I know had an older version lowrider I’d seen, and he persuaded me to build my own.
So far I have 3d printed everything, sourced 3x 1m lengths of 30mm tubing, ordered everything bar the cnc controller individually from various places since tax to Scotland from Germany or USA is ridiculous these days ( as is post, I was £9.75 to send a letter last week! )
Regarding the jackpot controller, I see a few options but I was also pointed in the direction of one called tinybee. I would prefer to use jackpot if there’s a uk or even china source as for some reason China seems to get through customs everytime…
Ohh, and I 3d printed the meant to be aluminium plates for the same reason, but will likely either make some with mdf, or metal when I get it up and running.
Go easy on me, I’m still very green, only just learning the basics in aspire and such.
Yeah they won’t hold long but hopefully long enough to make proper ones - or perhaps even mdf ones
it’s quite a learning curve trying to take everything in - possibly trying to run before I can walk but I was a tech/engineer for a lot of years in other industries. The hardest part so far tbh appears to be software and tool choices - watched a good few vids and made basic ( small ) things on the 3018 though - I had no idea how terrible those things actually are. A dremel helped it Tbf, but they dont really seem fit for purpose.
Well, I can at least point you in the direction of the “yellow brick road” here. We primarily use trim routers which are more powerful than a dremel. As far as software, it depends on what you are trying to do. As far as designing things in CAD, a lot of users use Fusion, OnShape, and FreeCAD (myself included). You mention Vectric (which is out of my budget). Tools like it and now MillMage let you do design in the tool, but it’s still not a CAD program. For CAM, again Vectric and MillMage will do that. Estlcam is very popular around here and it’s relatively simple and inexpensive. The Jackpot runs FluidNC firmware (which is GRBL based). It has a built in WebUI and can support pendants. If any of that doesn’t make sense, just ask. I’m not sure how far down this path you’ve made it yet.
You have any thoughts on how big of a machine you plan to make? Or on what kind of things you want to make?
Be sure to document your build on here as you go and don’t hesitate to ask questions.
I tried freecad and fusion and couldn’t get to grips tbh. That was a while ago granted for 3d printing though and I guess laziness got the better of me and I just print other peoples creations.
I am making it 1m tube size which iirc was 834x745mm usable area, just as I see not point cutting the metal bar - which is also a bit of a nuisance to get in the uk. If I get to grips with it, I aim to expand it but it should be ample to learn on.
As for what I’d like to make, where do I start…
Carvings like coats of arms, carved trophy plaques and such for hobbies.
Signs.
Cabinets - likely for my home or vehicles and built in bespoke items - if I do eventually expand, potentially carved doors.
Gun stocks would be nice.
Basically allsorts, I also want to show the kids and get their interest, they don’t get much practical experience in schools these days unfortunately.
There’s definitely a learning curve to all of them. FreeCAD got a lot better once version 1.0 came out. MangoJelly on Youtube has good tutorials.
While that is true, we generally recommend that the X axis (the beam) is shorter than the Y axis. This is because at that size, you need to use the machine to cut 1003mm strut plates. While it’s possible with tiling, it’s definitely more difficult.
All that what you describe is possible. I haven’t done much carving but it does take awhile. That gets into ball nose bits after a roughing pass.
I would consider this an advanced project but check this out.
Yeah the stock would be waaaay down the line, it’s not just 1 sided. The one you sent is a cool project and came out very well, not to my personal taste but looks a nice project and finish
It’s funny you mention the 1003mm - it crossed my mind earlier, might be better just to print or make a template myself to cut the mdf with a jigsaw? Or is there another reason I’m not considering?
Re the carving, I did a couple on my tiny 3018 which isn’t great as the bit was a little large/detail too great for a small piece of wood. It did teach me a lot tho - even a silly lesson of make sure the wood isn’t warped first. It also made me learn that using a finishing path alone is a silly idea unless you want the machine to run for weeks
Ohh, and it appears the dining room is not the place to learn cnc cutting
I have been watching a bloke from idc woodcrafts videos - he’s quite informative for basics so far.
There have been plenty built on dining room tables, not sure about actually using them their though. Neither of those would fly with my wife. It was hard enough to convince her to let me put a large pen plotter on the wall there.
Cheers I may indeed need to rethink, I’ll have a read - it may even be a better option to use a mates machine to cut mine in that case.
yeah my wife wasn’t happy at the noise/sawdust Tbf … but she’s pretty much given up on the room for the most part, the rest of the house is hers as is the annex and unfortunately the garage is off limits as we are replasterboarding the bedroom so it’s full just now.
I must say, this project seems extremely fun, and extremely well thought out. The level of know how to put the cnc together seems quite low, but the level of skill required to have created it in the first place must be insane! I am a huge fan of open source and doing this has allowed me to basically make a giant mechano set for me and the kids. The scary thing is, woodworking at schools here now is so basic, they don’t even get to cut wood. A technician cuts it all to size for their projects, and all they do is glue it together. Quite sad really
Welcome to the group. As you see this group is amazing. I’d encourage you to keep at it. But I sure get the happy wife=happy life. But we are at 48 years!!
Good Luck.
For what it’s worth I did the 2’ x 4’ capacity and I find it plenty for my type. So isn’t too intrusive.
20 years here still happy somehow I’ve no idea how she puts up with me tbh
The main factor that determines my size is the hard to find conduit type pipe in Scotland that isn’t ridiculously priced. Only reason I went with 1m lengths tbh.
I’ll document as I go, sure mistakes will be made, problems arise - but it’s all good fun ain’t it?
I saw a prior model running a while back in person and it was absolutely ripping through sheet after sheet of mdf! Quite something to watch for the first time - I’m excited to get going
20 years here still happy somehow I’ve no idea how she puts up with me tbh
The main factor that determines my size is the hard to find conduit type pipe in Scotland that isn’t ridiculously priced. Only reason I went with 1m lengths tbh.
I’ll document as I go, sure mistakes will be made, problems arise - but it’s all good fun ain’t it?
I saw a prior model running a while back in person and it was absolutely ripping through sheet after sheet of mdf! Quite something to watch for the first time - I’m excited to get going.
Edit… speaking of issues … Urrgghhh I’ll sort it tomorrow!
Yep my joke is I’ve been married 48 years, feels like 48 minutes…….48 minutes held UNDERWATER!
Seriously great time. We met at 16!
Scottland! Love it. Never been but on a bucket list.
My wife is 50% pure Scottish.
Her mom from Prince Edward Island a strong Scottish settlement in Canada. My dads mom was Scottish
I built a Primo right when Covid hit. Kept me sane.
Great time and such a great forum. I look at questions I’ve asked and think omg how patient these folks are.
Part of this is to keep me sane as well tbh, had 6 episodes of sepsis and struggle to do much physically now unfortunately, lost my job and went self employed but I have to limit myself. I learn a lot instead to keep my head going
50% Scottish? Just the good half then I love it here, and I hate it! We are very north eastern and there’s few people. The beach is 50 yards walk, scenery is amazing… but it’s cold and wet 90% of the year ontop of that, if you need a real decent shopping trip it’s a 5 hour drive each way but all in all the lack of people makes it near perfect
Ok, so the project may have taken a slight swerve…. a friend told me about a company I hadnt heard of or found before on facebook this am. Incase anyone in the UK is looking, someone kindly posted this on the V1 engineering facebook - ERW Tube 30mm O/D x 1.5mm x 6.0-6.1m - F H Brundle
I have ordered a 6m length for £24 delivered - we will see if it actually comes to my post code before I actually believe it, but all things going well, I can lengthen the Y size I am going on a course this weekend but will try to find time to have a dabble with sizes and such to see what will suit best
Hi Philipp, unfortunately not these days since leaving the EU. The last time I ordered a small item, with customs tax, postage and their handling fee I was £80 plus the item The EU seems to hate the UK for leaving.
The shipping that is shown to you to the UK includes all the taxes etc., from the top of my hat it’s 20€ total. I do say so in the description, but it’s not directly obvious.
The whole kit is only 80€ and that’s nearly 3kgs.
There have been plenty built on dining room tables, not sure about actually using them their though. Neither of those would fly with my wife. It was hard enough to convince her to let me put a large pen plotter on the wall there.
I love it here, and I hate it! We are very north eastern and there’s few people. The beach is 50 yards walk, scenery is amazing… but it’s cold and wet 90% of the year 
