Introductions

[aforww]

Well as most forums go, we need a proper introduction thread. A place to do the obvious and let folks know what our level of experience is and what we are here for.

I have absolutely zero experience with cnc and haven't even purchased my MillRight cnc. However, it's in the works. Hopefully, this expands into a large working group of individuals where I can gain further insight.

[Derek the Admin]

Thanks for joining aforww.

My name is Derek and I own MillRight CNC. I have always loved to tinker and have built a few custom machines. I got my start with DIY machining in 3D printing. A few months after learning 3D printing, I designed a CNC machine in FreeCAD, printed the pieces I need, picked up some things from my local metal show, and went to work. Building that machine only made me love CNC routing more so I kept going. Here we are now with a growing company selling CNC machines!

We are glad that you got in on the ground floor of this community. We look forward to you purchasing our machine and getting to share the cool things you make with everyone here.

[Billy]

In high school, I used a very expensive cnc router and made wonderful things from furniture to art and even robots. I have wanted one since then. Before this one I was looking at getting an x carve as my first cnc router. Now I think that I'm going to get this one. I'm stuck in an apartment right now so I can't do anything at the moment but I am amazed by this.

My one question is how does one get a spindle mount? Other cnc machines that are for sale have an option for different spindle mounts for different rotary tools and routers. This one doesn't have an option. How would some one without a cnc router make a spindle mount for their cnc router? Could you give us an option to buy a mount for at least a dremel rotary tool and or a dewalt laminate trim router. It looks in the picture that a standard dewalt raouter is being used without the base attached. That wouldn't be the most economical choice for most getting into cnc machines and it doesn't look like the machine comes with the mount to attach it. What are people using to attach a spindle?

[Derek the Admin]

Billy,

Thanks for joining our board. I wish my high school would have had a CNC router. On a kind of related note, we are talking with some one from a school about getting our machines in their shop.

As far as the router mount goes, we list a lot of good options for you on the resources page of www.millrightcnc.com. The Z axis plate was designed to accept a lot of the popular mounts. Here is what our resources page says about it:

The Z Plate on the MillRight CNC M3 was designed to accomodate many of the popular spindle mounts, so you have several options.
​
We recommend a Dewalt DWP611 router with the Bosch Colt spindle mount from Inventables (Inventables part number 30329-04). The Bosch Colt, another great spindle option, uses this same mount. OpenBuilds also sells a mount for the DWP611 and Colt that will bolt to the MillRight CNC M3 Z Plate. We do recommend shimming the opening with some strips of aluminum flashing if you use the DWP611 with the Colt Mount.
​
The Dewalt DW660 is an awesome value. The DW660 mount from Inventables (Inventables part number 30393-03) will also mount directly to the MillRight CNC M3 Z Plate.
​
The 52mm diameter spindles that often come in 300w and 400w versions are another option. The most common 52mm spindle mount will bolt directly to the Millright CNC M3 Z Plate.
​
You can use many other routers spindles by fabricating or 3D printing your own mount. Inventables sells a "universal" spindle mount (Inventables part number 30278-02) that is a direct fit to the MillRight CNC M3
​
See page ten of the assembly instructions for a diagram of the Z Plate if you want to confirm fitment before you order a different mount.

...I hope that is helpful to you, Billy. We may start selling some versions of these mounts because you make a good point about a more complete solution.

Please let us know if you have any other questions.

By the way, I understand that the apartment might limit you right now. We are looking into a laser solution right now as well that might get you into the fun before you can start ripping things up with a router. I can not put any time frame on it right now but we have some inquiries out to laser sellers.

Thanks again for joining, help us spread the word, and hang around for more info and updates.

[kb9jlo]

I'm a computer geek by trade. My wife says my hobby is to have hobbies and she's absolutely correct. Computers, electronics, ham radio - those are standards, plus they tie into my work life (some). I won't go into my others but I like about anything (that I can afford). Once upon a time I was an Autocad draftsman (running on DOS). I worked in an interesting industry called store fixtures, specifically wood based items. Think cash stands, shelving units, "furniture" looking things. One company I worked for had a large two table CNC router (KOMO). It has four router/shaper heads and four air drills, vacuum tables (to hold parts - suck through low density fiberboard). I was the first one to take the Autocad geometry and convert it directly to G-code. The software they bought sucked but I made it work. I also worked on a Morbideli multi-spindle boring machine. But that's another whole world. Again, though this was in the far past and since that time, almost 20 years I've been trying to figure out how to afford and create my own CNC router/milling machine.

I'm really excited about this kit. I've purchased a 'bare' kit with homing switches and rigid upgrades. Eventually I hope to replace the controller with a Raspberry Pi based CNC system put out by Protoneer a NZ company, blog.protoneer.co.nz/raspberry-pi-cnc-board-hat/
The software I'm really excited about is bCNC. It really looks promising. github.com/vlachoudis/bCNC/wiki
I intend to produce some PCB's and other odds and ends.
I've purchased the spindle mount from OpenBuilds, openbuildspartstore.com/router-spindle-mount/ and I've bought a refurb Dewalt 622 router from CPO Outlets. I've purchase from them before and they have pretty good products but how good the shaft is will be the key thing, tho I suppose I can return it and get another one. I purchased it from Amazon (you can get them from Amazon, direct or eBay). It costs $110 shipped. I picked it over the Colt because it had two LED's. I think they're probably identical otherwise or for me anyway. I considered a Chinese spindle but then you need another power supply, a speed control - with a regular router and a 1/8" collet adapter you have the same thing or better, no power supply and variable speed to boot! Just my opinion. My kit is supposed to be here tomorrow UPS says.

My BIG Dream is to setup my own CNC shop, 3D printer, CO2 laser cutter, smaller laser, and a couple of CNC routers to create some prototype parts. I want to do this as a retirement career. Don't know if it's really possible but I can still dream.

I plan to use Autocad, and Autodesk Fusion to design parts. Well probably use lots of applications but those are the ones I'll probably depend on with a little Sketch-up thrown in. Check out Fusion and Sketch-up. They both offer versions for makers/home users that are free. At least for now. Sketch-up is very mature. I think Fusion is more an evolution of maybe several products that Autodesk acquired... I'll probably fall back on Autocad for many things simply because I used it for long and I'm still so familiar with it (even after all the revisions). Ironically, I work for an architectural firm and of course uses CAD (now it is called BIM and 3D modeling). Funny how things 'come' around.

[Derek the Admin]

As I said in another convo we had, we are really excited to have some one like you in the community. I am looking forward to that Pi based Controller.

I am concerned a bit about the 622. Did you mean 611? That 622 I don't think will be compatible. I feel pretty sure you meant the 611 since the 622 is a 240V euro model I believe.

[kevin]

Aug 7, 2016 16:32:19 GMT Billy said:

[kb9jlo]

Aug 8, 2016 2:57:30 GMT Derek the Admin said:

As I said in another convo we had, we are really excited to have some one like you in the community. I am looking forward to that Pi based Controller.

I am concerned a bit about the 622. Did you mean 611? That 622 I don't think will be compatible. I feel pretty sure you meant the 611 since the 622 is a 240V euro model I believe.

Oops. Yep 611. It's due here tomorrow. 

[kb9jlo]

Aug 8, 2016 4:12:44 GMT kevin said:

Aug 7, 2016 16:32:19 GMT Billy said:

In high school, I used a very expensive cnc router and made wonderful things from furniture to art and even robots. I have wanted one since then. Before this one I was looking at getting an x carve as my first cnc router. Now I think that I'm going to get this one. I'm stuck in an apartment right now so I can't do anything at the moment but I am amazed by this.

My one question is how does one get a spindle mount? Other cnc machines that are for sale have an option for different spindle mounts for different rotary tools and routers. This one doesn't have an option. How would some one without a cnc router make a spindle mount for their cnc router? Could you give us an option to buy a mount for at least a dremel rotary tool and or a dewalt laminate trim router. It looks in the picture that a standard dewalt router is being used without the base attached. That wouldn't be the most economical choice for most getting into cnc machines and it doesn't look like the machine comes with the mount to attach it. What are people using to attach a spindle?

All your answers about spindles and mounts are here:
www.millrightcnc.com/#!faq/b42ce

If you would rather go that way there are a multitude of spindles, oftentimes including mounts on eBay. Usually from the Chinese. You might have to drill your Z axis plate to handle those though. Another downside is you have to have a power supply for the spindle as these are almost always DC or brushless and require a power supply and motor controller (brushless motors have incredible torque).

I really considered that but after looking at the Dewalt 611 - it has a lot of power, LED lights built in, variable speed, runs off AC and of course I could take it out of the router and use it normally if I wanted - well that sold me. I bought mine from CPO Outlets for $110 shipped. I purchased the spindle mount from OpenBuild. That's just the way I decided to go. 

You could also find a more universal mount and mount up a Dremel. There are a lot of options. I actually prefer that we have the options rather than being locked into a spindle choice. And that keeps the price lower. 

[jeffd]

I guess this'll be my intro. I play a computer geek by day, and a woodworker by night (but mostly just on the weekends). I have a background in software development and a light dose of electrical engineering. Lately my hobbies are collecting as well -- pottery, wood working, and BBQ contest judge (it's a great gig if you can get it!) are my current favorites.

This will be my first experience with a CNC machine. I've got some ideas related to one of my other hobbies (making pottery) where I want to craft my own tools and try to improve on some old designs. I tried using my router and wood jigs, then plexi jigs, and finally metal jigs but my skills and tools just wouldn't meet the tolerances I wanted. I started looking at "affordable" CNC machines... and I think some people have a wildly different definition of "affordable" than I do. My wife laughed heartily when I said I wanted to spend $2000 on a CNC machine to futz around with. (I think she's still laughing)

I had almost resigned myself to having to wait or build my own when I found MillRight. The MillRight offers the larger work area that I need but couldn't find with any of the other less expensive units. I also like that it's made in the USA and that when I emailed with pre-sales questions yesterday I got a very quick response. Last night I put my order in for the kit that is now back ordered... so it may be a bit before I can start really learning. Meanwhile I'll lurk and let ya'll figure out all the pitfalls.

Jeff

[Derek the Admin]

Hey Jeffd,

Welcome to the MillRight CNC community. It sounds like you will pick up CNC pretty easily given your background. As a side note, if you ever need a stand in for BBQ judge I'm your guy.

We are glad you found us. MillRight CNC really set out to bring affordability to CNC while still delivering a useful tool that could do respectable work. Those $2000 price tags are all too common for guys just wanting to get into CNC. One clarifying point for full disclosure. We are an American company that is American owned and American run. Things get designed here, packed here, customer service occurs from here, etc. Some of our stuff is manufactured here in the US and some is from overseas. I just felt the need to clarify that point because I like to be as transparent as possible.

With that out of the way, go ahead and dig into that assembly manual on the resources section of our website. Also look at the Autodesk Fusion 360 tutorial that we just posted.

I look forward to seeing you around the forum and getting our parts in so I can ship you your order!

[aforww]

Aug 15, 2016 2:58:57 GMT jeffd said:

I guess this'll be my intro. I play a computer geek by day, and a woodworker by night (but mostly just on the weekends). I have a background in software development and a light dose of electrical engineering. Lately my hobbies are collecting as well -- pottery, wood working, and BBQ contest judge (it's a great gig if you can get it!) are my current favorites.

This will be my first experience with a CNC machine. I've got some ideas related to one of my other hobbies (making pottery) where I want to craft my own tools and try to improve on some old designs. I tried using my router and wood jigs, then plexi jigs, and finally metal jigs but my skills and tools just wouldn't meet the tolerances I wanted. I started looking at "affordable" CNC machines... and I think some people have a wildly different definition of "affordable" than I do. My wife laughed heartily when I said I wanted to spend $2000 on a CNC machine to futz around with. (I think she's still laughing)

I had almost resigned myself to having to wait or build my own when I found MillRight. The MillRight offers the larger work area that I need but couldn't find with any of the other less expensive units. I also like that it's made in the USA and that when I emailed with pre-sales questions yesterday I got a very quick response. Last night I put my order in for the kit that is now back ordered... so it may be a bit before I can start really learning. Meanwhile I'll lurk and let ya'll figure out all the pitfalls.

Jeff

Welcome Jeff. Funny thing, I like to play pit master on occasion lol. I'm from Texas so I take my "low and slow" pretty seriously. I might have to talk with you about that more later.
Anyway, welcome once again. Looking forward to having ya.

[kb9jlo]

Welcome Jeff.

And to add to the BBQ theme -- I EAT BBQ well. Ha, ha!

[yusuke620]

Hello all, I'm James. I'm a 20 year veteran of car audio. Been building and tinkering with things forever. I got into 3d printing a couple years ago and CNC seems like the natural next step.

I ordered my M3 yesterday and can't wait for it to show up. Some of the most fun I had with my 3d printer was putting it together. I'm definitely going to get the laser attachment when it's available!

[kb9jlo]

Welcome James. You're going to love having a CNC router...