| | |  | Database Management Systems | Home » » » Build Your Own CNC Machine (Technology in Action) | | | | | | | Description: | | Build Your Own CNC Machine is a groundbreaking book targeted at the growing number of hobbyists wanting to fabricate wood and metal parts of their own design in their home workshops. Lead author Patrick Hood-Daniel is creator of buildyourcnc.com and is well-known for his affordable, easy-to-build designs for home CNC machines. His videos on CNC machines are watched by tens of thousands of hobbyists. Each one of those viewers, and each of his website visitors represents a potential sale of this book. The interest in hobbyist-level CNC machines is real and growing. In addition to the author’s own site, a Google search on "cnc for the home" will turn up many other sites dedicated to this new market, including solsylva.com, homecnc.info, cnczone.com, hobbycnc.com, ktmarketing.com/CNC.html, and more. Articles about CNC for them home can be found on Make Magazine’s website (makezine.com), and at Engadget.com. CNC technology is becoming affordable for the average person, and the many creative people who like to design and build things are taking notice and jumping onto the CNC bandwagon. | | | Product Details: | | | Author:
| James Floyd Kelly | | Paperback:
| 240 pages | | Publisher:
| Apress | | Publication Date:
| December 01, 2009 | | Language:
| English | | ISBN:
| 1430224894 | | Product Width:
| 1.81 centimeters | | Product Height:
| 2.25 centimeters | | Product Weight:
| 0.01 pounds | | Package Length:
| 9.2 inches | | Package Width:
| 7.5 inches | | Package Height:
| 0.7 inches | | Package Weight:
| 0.95 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 16 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 16 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
59 of 59 found the following review helpful:
 An epic win for the hobbyist community!Dec 09, 2009
By Andy L. Kimble
"Guido666"
I got my copy of the book today. I've spent maybe a half hour skimming the book, and my initial impression is that it is very thorough and complete. It goes through the basics of why / how the linear bearings will work, how to cut and drill the MDF, etc. Even a novice, that had only minimal experience with simple power tools could understand and follow these directions to completion.
Everything seems to be very well documented, and is supported by many photos, schematics, and drawings. The photos are clear, even though they are black and white. The color versions of most of the photos are even on the website, if you need them, as are some videos.
Each chapter includes some nice quick-glance features, like a "Summary of Work" and a list of what MDF parts you'll be working on next. This is a nice addition, to help "ground" what you're doing, and keep you understanding what is going on.
The second chapter, titled "Hardware and Tools" is going to help a lot of people, I think, because it sets an understanding for what tools the author assumes you will have access to, and skill using. The requirements are not much cause for concern, since they are all simple power tools you can pick up at almost any hardware store. One thing that I would liked to have seen, would be more specific listings of some of the tools. For instance, almost every hole in the machine is either 1/4", 7/16", 3/8", or 3/4". It probably wouldn't have been to hard to give a specific list of all the drillbits used during construction if you follow the book to the letter. However, it still says you need drill bits, of course, so a little reading will quickly let you figure out which ones.
One final thing I want to point out is that, as far as I can tell, there is no special hardware (besides the electronics) that are required. You can buy everything off the shelf, at pretty much any local hardware retailer (Lowes, Home Depot, True Value, etc.). This is great, and in stark contrast to some other stuff out there (like this book, read the reviews, http://www.amazon.com/CNC-Robotics-Build-Your-Workshop/dp/0071418288/ ) that requires special parts, or hopes you can find the same "suprlus"/recycled items that the author used.
I can't wait to get started! (And I'll be sure to let everyone know how it goes.)
--------UPDATE--------UPDATE---------
I just finished reading the book, and I think it very much lives up to it's purpose. With only common hand and power tools, you can build yourself an affordable CNC router.
The book is about 200 pages, but it's easy reading. It goes very quickly because almost every page is 1/2 covered by pictures, diagrams, or plans.
You should DEFINATELY read the whole book before you do anything. It's as much of a learning journey along with the author, as it is an instruction manual for getting the job done. Because of this, you read about and discover things as the author discovered them in the process. This makes it a bit backwards, as far as a manual goes, because the best way to do something is not always given up front. For instance, it is suggested in chapter 15 that you test drilling holes in scrap wood to figure out just how deeply you have to go in order to submerge the bolts below the surface, despite the fact that you've been drilling counterbored holes for this reason since chapter 8. Also, some of the dimesions in the plans are not real, and you are expected to replace them with more exact dimensions of your machine parts, as you created them, for a more appropriate fit. However, this should in no way discourage you from reading this great book. Just do so before you try to build the machine.
It's a great book, and I highly recommend it. I'll post a new update after I get my machine built.
--------UPDATE #2--------UPDATE #2---------
I decided to see exactly how much it would cost to build. I tried to find deals, or reasonably good prices, on all the pieces. The bare minimum for the machine, including router and a couple bits, is about $800. You will probably also need $100+ dollars worth of tools, unless you have some of the required odd ones already (1-1/8" forstner bit, 45-degree chamfer router bit, 5/16" tap, etc.). The computer needed to run it is not very powerful, but unless you can get a good used one from someone, expect to drop another $200-300. So all total, this is realistically a $1000-1500 project. (I kept track of accurate costs, but provided generalizations here.)
I have a final thought on the perspective of the book. When you read it, consider it a written documentary about someone building the machine, not an instruction manual for building it. There are lots of subtle things left out, but a competent person can figure them out. If you take this attitude towards it, you will save yourself frustration when you run into inconsistencies, errors, or omissions. I still fully recommend the book, and it will give you a great entry into CNC, but the role of the book has caused some people grief.
40 of 41 found the following review helpful:
Build Your Own CNC MachineDec 06, 2009
By Ken
I've had my copy of "Build Your Own CNC Machine" a week and have finished reading it. I've waited years for the cost of computer controlled tooling to become affordable for artisans and hobbyists. Even so, acquiring the needed information has always been daunting. I believe these authors have opened the gates wide and will impact many disciplines.
This book walks you through making a simple yet robust CNC machine that permits 3 axis, computer-precise milling in whatever your application, be it printed-circuit boards, violins, or aircraft parts. With this book knowledge of your own field may now be more limiting than your tooling.
The author's machine is made of medium-density fiberboard (MDF,) available in every home-improvement store. They use relatively easy joinery. The order of presentation and construction makes great sense. The author's techniques require reasonable accuracy but not high skill or tooling. Their website videos were made at a kitchen table with a few hand tools. The book is similar in approach but is clearly a refinement of their earlier writings. Motors, control circuitry, and the power supply are purchased, but the bottom line remains well under $1,000 and could even be much less if you have the needed skills.
I found the information in the book totally accessible and never lost in jargon or predispositions of a reader's skill. The authors are especially supportive. Their presentation clearly comes from substantial experience developing both the machine and the persons they've guided before. Every part of such a project involves "buy or build" decisions, which can make or break success . I believe the author's choices are excellent. This book is well worth buying, and there aren't others like it that I can find. I cannot thank them enough for what they've put into it.
17 of 17 found the following review helpful:
Noble effort. A few deficiencies to be aware of.Apr 02, 2010
By Homer Simpson
First I must thank the authors for putting this together. I'm sure it has consumed alot of time to develop this machine and the book that shows us how to make it. I'm also sure that they are not getting rich from this either, but do it because they are passionate about it.
I have wanted to build something like this for ages but just haven't done it, but when I saw the article in MAKE magazine I was inspired to buy the book and start the project.
The companion website, [...] is a huge help as well.
The only criticism I have is around the technical details. You will find several deficiencies, such as a complete and accurate bill of materials, and several errors or ommisions on the drawings. You can download these things from the website but there are several versions with contradictions between them.
Were the authors to make changes, I'd recommend that they add a section to the back of the book with a bill of material, possibly with suggested sites where each item may be purchased, at least for parts that are uncommon. In this section I'd provide a complete and accurate set of drawings. Consider this a cliff notes section where those with more of an engineering background or aptitude in this area could go and have all the information they need to complete the project. In the meantime, I'd clean up the website with the contradictory material.
Having said this, my complaints are minor and would, and have recommended the book to others.
19 of 20 found the following review helpful:
 Old edition (needs to be updated badly)Aug 01, 2010
By Smith
For those looking to buy a how to book, this one shows you how to build the authors first design. It will not help you build "your own" design but will help you build his original design.
If you look at the web site [...] he is now 4 versions down the road, which is much improved over the design you get in the book.
(This book is WAY past the point of needing an update) also I feel the book is very "none technical" which makes the old design even more an issue.
The idea of building the design in the book is, well like stating "I want to build a 286 computer", why would you do it?
The web site related to the book is well done!, and has much more information than the book has!
I would Highly encourage the Author redo the book using the original, and some of his newer designs as well as other machine ref (fireball, probotics, etc etc. ). I would also encourage him to put effort into describing methods of alignment, (ref. [...]), and also put details in the new book showing how to improve the machines accuracy, and lastly the electrical is done ok in the book but is missing an overall wiring design or global overview of the control and stuff like e-stop, limit switches, pendants, and re-zero systems, etc.
Lastly the book does not cover some of what I was interested in.
Methods For correctly aligning rails for a CNC. (for lengths longer than 36")
Methods for setting the slave rail to the master rail
Best designs for lead screws and some dos and don'ts
Working with chain (what can be done)
Working with timing belts (what can be done)
vendor listing for parts (lead screws, chain, backlash nuts, linear bearings etc.) Note his web site has some parts for sale and are +/- Ok for prices.
A good overview of the electrical. (drawings, descriptions, options)
A good over view of how to build MY CNC.
Maybe The book should have been named "Build a CNC out of MDF" there really should be another book that is___ How to build your own CNC ____which would help builders with there own designs of a CNC machine. see "http://www.cncroutersource.com/homemade-cnc-router.html" for an example.
This book was a waste for me, as I am not interested in building his original design.
8 of 8 found the following review helpful:
You're really not going to build thisJul 13, 2010
By George
To set the stage, I have one of the author's CNC machines. I bought his Blacktoe 4.0 kit and built it. I understand what is going into this machine.
The book serves as a good foundation for how the machine works. I do not regret buying it. Realistically, the only people who are going to really build a CNC from this book are those who are extremely adept at mechanics and they will end up with a machine that works, but is crude compared to his latest designs. Reading it gave me the confidence to build the kit as I have close to zero mechanical ability. I rate it 4 stars (not 5) as Patrick's own state of development has made the book obsolete. Read it for the principles he teaches, but don't think you're really going to build a CNC from this book for $800 in a weekend. It will cost more and take longer :)
I bought this book from Amazon - the flag was not set to say so.
See all 16 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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