Hunting for the next project

Started by lastRites, April 17, 2016, 09:41:48 PM

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lastRites

April 17, 2016, 09:41:48 PM
Hi guys!
I seem to be stuck in a creative rut :P I make little electronics knick knaks, arduinos and such in small batches. I also love making RC contraptions. I have been at this tinkering business from as long as I remember, and have made various jigs and other tools to help me with my builds.. I am hunting for ideas for new tools(I love making tools xD).

I don't have any CNC tools, and am thinking about getting a 3D printer, but the sticker shock is hard to overcome :P.. I want to ask you guys, what would be a good cnc tool for a hobbyist? Laser, 3D printer or mill? I am off-course talking about small desktop machines..
It is the pervading law of all things organic and inorganic,
Of all things physical and metaphysical,
Of all things human and all things super-human,
Of all true manifestations of the head,
Of the heart, of the soul,
That the life is recognizable in its expression,
That form ever follows function. This is the law.

saikat

#1
April 18, 2016, 11:57:27 AM
3d printer is not very useful once the novelty wears off.

cnc router and laser cutter are similar  - ( the rotary tool is replaced
by a laser)

makes sense to start off with a cnc router (mill) - and then take it forward from there

most important is buy quality mechanics - slides . belts . motors . bearings  which
will give you tighter tolerances.

another advantage of a cnc mill is you can mill your own pcbs

lastRites

#2
April 20, 2016, 01:14:35 PM
3D printers and Laser Engravers(not cutters) are easier to build than CNC Mills from what I have seen. CNC Mills need to be MUCH more rigidly built than the other two if you want to mill anything harder than foam, and not have a minuscule build volume.

3D printers are a novelty? But for rapid prototyping in a home environment, it seems to be excellent (quieter and less cleanup required). Plus the mechanics can be easily adapted to a low power laser engraver if you put an enclosure on it..

Chemically etching PCBs is a much faster process and does not require any manipulation of the board files.
It is the pervading law of all things organic and inorganic,
Of all things physical and metaphysical,
Of all things human and all things super-human,
Of all true manifestations of the head,
Of the heart, of the soul,
That the life is recognizable in its expression,
That form ever follows function. This is the law.

lastRites

#3
April 20, 2016, 01:16:51 PM
Have you any experience building these? I would love to hear about your experiences then..
It is the pervading law of all things organic and inorganic,
Of all things physical and metaphysical,
Of all things human and all things super-human,
Of all true manifestations of the head,
Of the heart, of the soul,
That the life is recognizable in its expression,
That form ever follows function. This is the law.

saikat

#4
April 20, 2016, 04:29:51 PM
no i have no experience building these small size machines

but i have access to full size three axis cnc machines , and we can machine
a engine crankcase out of a solid block of aluminium if we choose to.(my machinist not me)

re : the 3d printer ... utility is a matter of perception.

I still think that the uses for 3d printing are very limited .

I cannot think of one single item that I would like have 3d printed (maybe a case for my pi).

lastRites

#5
April 20, 2016, 09:46:27 PM
Quick 3D prototypes are what 3D printers good for. IMHO mills are the most useful. But the most expensive too.. and noisy and dirty, and oh so desirable :D

How much would it cost approximately to make a usable desktop CNC mill? To machine alluminium?
It is the pervading law of all things organic and inorganic,
Of all things physical and metaphysical,
Of all things human and all things super-human,
Of all true manifestations of the head,
Of the heart, of the soul,
That the life is recognizable in its expression,
That form ever follows function. This is the law.
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