Easy build CNC - Low Price - 2838 - $375

Last crawled date: 1 year, 11 months ago

Here's my 3D CAD design of the new CNC.

All the brackets can be milled on the 3018 CNC (even the original) with a few tricks. The new machine is bigger, more sturdy, heavy duty, faster and more precise.
All the rails on the 3 axis are fully supported, SBR20, very sturdy.
The stepper motors are NEMA 23
At the end of the video, I showed how smoothly it cut Aluminum. Everything went really smoothly, from preparing all the parts, assembling the machine and milling at the end.

The cost at the end of this build is about 375USD (to be generous).

Here is the list of the parts and the cost in details (with the link to buy - Price might be different from what I bought before the COVID-19 Pandemic):

- 3030 Aluminum extrusion - quantity 5 - cost: $37.25
https://www.zyltech.com/zyltech-3030-aluminum-extrusion-precut-length-up-to-2000mm/

- NEMA 23 - quantity 4 - cost: $71.80
https://www.zyltech.com/nema-23-stepper-motor-3-0-a-1-9-n-m-269-oz-in/

- Stepper motor drivers - quantity 4 - cost: $51.80
https://www.zyltech.com/zyltech-stepper-driver-powered-by-hy/
COUPON for Zyltech: SALES15 to save $24 .13
Total from Zyltech.com: $148

- SBR20 1.2m rails set - 1 set - cost $42:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/SBR20-1200mm-LINEAR-SLIDE-GUIDE-SHAFT-2-RAIL-4-SBR20LUU-Bearing-Block-CNC-Set/163227035690

- Extra linear bearing block SBR20UU - 2 set of 4 - costed: $34
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000764607910.html

- Wood router - 1 - cost: $30
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000093011566.html

- 2.5" U-bolt pipe clamp - 2 - cost: $3
https://www.amazon.com/National-Hardware-N222-315-DP2190BC-plated/dp/B000BQUMVU/

- kfl08 T8 end support bearing block - 4 - cost: $5
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32849872990.html

- RnRMotion MACH3 breakout board - 1 - cost: $14
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32843446275.html

- skateboard bearings - 4 -cost: $1
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32879599136.html

- Lead screw T8 500mm - 3 - cost: $12
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32952885370.html

- Lead screw T8 200mm - 1 - cost: $2
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32952885370.html

- Couplers: 6.35mm to 8mm - 4 - cost: $3.5
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32868140452.html

- Drop in T nuts 3030s M6 pack of 50 - 1 - cost: 8
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32966023224.html

- Power supply: 36V 1500W - 1 - cost: 33
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000266864930.html

- Nema 23 bracket - 1 - cost: $6
https://www.ebay.com/itm/US-Ship-Mounting-Bracket-Nema-23-Stepper-Motor-Geared-Stepper-CNC-3D-Printer/231619262676

- DC stepdown - 2 - cost: $1
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2PCS-LM2596-DC-DC-Adjustable-Buck-Converter-Step-Down-Power-Supply-Module-BYT/392632505684

- relay module 5V - 1 - cost $1
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000356150750.html
- wires: $5
- MDF board - 19mm - 13mm - 6mm: cost ~$10
- Bolts: I bought at Surplus City at $5/lbs - cost toltal ~$10
M3 12mm 16
M4 30mm 4
M4 45mm 2
M5 15mm 4
M5 25mm 4
M5 30mm 20
M5 45mm 4
M6 10mm 48
M6 15mm 6
M6 25mm 46
M6 30mm 4
M6 45mm 6
M6 50mm 6
M6 60mm 4
M8 30mm 8
M8 45mm 4

In the end, this build is much better alternative to upgrade your 3018 CNC. With the larger working area, more powerful and more precise, this machine will give you a lot more potential to make stuffs.
I hope you will consider this design for your next build.