My X-Controller powered hybrid

X-Carve
1

For the past two months I have been piecing together my first CNC machine and yesterday I made my first cut.

IMG_20180414_154428
IMG_20180414_1544282862×2146 1.79 MB
IMG_20180414_154417
IMG_20180414_1544172862×2146 1.86 MB
IMG_20180415_134034
IMG_20180415_1340342862×2146 1.85 MB

I knew that I had a few aluminum projects in the near future and I started to add up some of the mods that would be required/recommended to get an X-carve to where I wanted. Instead I decided to piece together a 1000x1000 Workbee CNC. I am a complete newb to this though and I really liked the ease of the Easel software. I really didn’t want to go through all of the work to build the machine and just get discouraged because it would be too hard to use. So I bought the X-controller and all of the associated wiring/switches to power my creation. I also know that this is the best CNC community on the web.

There are a few things that I still need to sort out:
-Dust boot
-Better Wire management
-Dial in the Z axis. I used Phil’s calculator for the X and Y but I think that I am cutting deeper than I intend

I need to buy some more bits, right now 1/4 is the smallest that I have but I am excited about seeing what it can do.

2

Now that you have the Hitachi M12 You might consider investing in the MUSCLE CHUCK. It makes bit changes so much easier and faster. Changing tool holders where a real pain trying to manipulate two whrenches ad the tool all you need to do is insert the tool and turn the allen wrench 1/4 turn and it’s done. My set up cost $165.00 an include three inserts.

3

I was thinking about the musclechuck. I can see the two wrench technique getting old.

It would be nice to get a 1/16 bit as well. I didn’t expect bits to be this expensive.

4

I am building the same set up now with the dewalt! All wired up, and moving correctly, working on the waste board with T-tracks now. How happy are you with the set up? Would you consider sharing your $$ settings to save me some time calibrating.