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3D Router: When a CNC machine is overkill.

by Paoson Luthier on August 26, 2015

Table of Contents
3D Router: When a CNC machine is overkill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Intro: 3D Router: When a CNC machine is overkill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 1: Design the project. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 2: Start project. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 3: Assembling table and X Axis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 4: Finishing X axis and beginning Y axis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 5: Continue assembling Y axis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 6: Finishing Y axis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 7: Starting Z axis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 8: Assembling Z axis and accessories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 9: Ending Z Axis, 2-3D followers and circles follower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

http://www.instructables.com/id/3D-Router-When-a-CNC-machine-is-overkill/

Author:Paoson Luthier Paoson.com

I am a instrument maker and woodworker in Galiza, Spain, and also making other projects like router tables, table saws, belt sanders...

Intro: 3D Router: When a CNC machine is overkill.

The idea arose after dealing with the difficulties and loss of time in preparing for certain CNC jobs. Sometimes I spent more time preparing for the CNC than the work
itself. With this manual router, you can make holes or mill very fast. A universal 43mm collet makes it very versatile and you can change the milling tool to drill very fast.
There are certainly lots of wooden router table and CNC router plans floating around in cyberspace. What makes this project noteworthy are the feature set and the
cleverness of how its all put together and designed for maximum versatility. This router table can be used as a 3-axis drill press, sanding station, a 2D router, and you
can do simple shapes 3D milling via a reference model. Using a series of accessories, you can also cut circles, straight-cut squares, and cut to a 2D reference model.
The uses of this tool are varied, in my case, I am manufacturer of guitars, my idea is make guitar bodies templates to manufacture them in 3D Router and dont use my
CNC, but also use it in other woodworking projects. I tried to make an easy building without too rare components and also cheap.
Overall dimensions: 800mm high, 740mm width and 700mm depth.
Useful dimensions: 425mm in X Axis, 535mm in Y axis and 185mm in Z axis.
What You'll Need:
Woodworking tools
A sheet of 18mm thikness plywood (2440x1220mm)
32 ball bearings (608)
5 Lineal meters L perfil of steel (1mm thikness)
500mm steel piper, 10mm exterior diameter and 8mm inner
A lot of M8 and M6mm metric screw
A lot of M8 and M6mm Washers
A lot of wood screw
Number 23 Metal spring 140 x 22mm
Epilog Challenge:
This tool would be very useful for Luthier jobs, to engrave truss rod covers, pickguards, picks and other guitar parts, even to engrave my logo.

Step 1: Design the project.

Designed the project in Autocad, a 3D Model which I have taken many measures plans for construction. Plans are available on my website. You can print parts of the fullscale design, stick on plywood and cut, or use only as reference to check measures, as I usually do.

http://www.instructables.com/id/3D-Router-When-a-CNC-machine-is-overkill/

Step 2: Start project.

Using my homemade Router & Saw table to start this project, do this tool requires great precision and considerable experience in woodworking. Cuts should be perfectly
straight and squaring, should be perfectly parallel axis and are well aligned, for bearings do not have jumps, if not, the tool will vibrations and also the work finish.

http://www.instructables.com/id/3D-Router-When-a-CNC-machine-is-overkill/

Step 3: Assembling table and X Axis.

Cut finishing, sanding and preparing all the pieces according to plans, and beginning to assemble the axis metal perfil. Must be iron or steel, I've used aluminum but
being softer than the bearings, create a groove in perfil, which after long use can cause backlash. You can glued or screwed, the screws without touching the bearings,
help yourself to let right with a rule.

Step 4: Finishing X axis and beginning Y axis.

Once mounted bench X-Axis, start with the bearings of this Axis, as you can see on minute 2.45, must enlarge the 8mm hole in direction and areas that are marked on
the plans to adjust bearings and metal profile, to prevent backlash. Use dowels to reinforce some parts that requires more strength. The Axis can be extended to get
more useful work surface.

http://www.instructables.com/id/3D-Router-When-a-CNC-machine-is-overkill/

Step 5: Continue assembling Y axis.

Ending the Y axis frame to start with Z axis, needless to say that this frame should be perfectly squaring for it slide perfect by the arms of the X axis, at this point half part
of work is done!

Step 6: Finishing Y axis.

Ending the Y axis to start with Z, mounting bearings circulating in the frame of the Y axis, and testing the Z-axis bearings before mounting this part on the machine.
Cutting and testing the Z axis spring.

http://www.instructables.com/id/3D-Router-When-a-CNC-machine-is-overkill/

Step 7: Starting Z axis.

Continue with the Z axis, assembling all parts. The Universal 43mm collet hole should be very fair, do with exact drill or a CNC, It can be very dangerous if the router
drops.

Step 8: Assembling Z axis and accessories.

Ending Z axis, the actuating lever and other accessories such elevator control, fast clamping sleeves and the brakes of axis also made from 18mm plywood. Also I
completed the fence.

Step 9: Ending Z Axis, 2-3D followers and circles follower.

End of 3D Router project, on this video ending the Z axis and 2-3D followers. The parts that hold these followers to the machine must be very firm and secure, use glue
and screws. For left hand I use a angle grinder handle, you can also made of wood.

http://www.instructables.com/id/3D-Router-When-a-CNC-machine-is-overkill/

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Comments
2 comments

Add Comment

rickharris says:

Aug 28, 2015. 12:30 PM REPLY

Epic. First class out of the box thinking.

tomatoskins says:
Oh my goodness! That's one beautiful piece of machinerey!

http://www.instructables.com/id/3D-Router-When-a-CNC-machine-is-overkill/

Aug 28, 2015. 12:16 PM REPLY