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I'm going a completely different route. After pricing out the BOM of the TI Booster pack it became apparent that the $25 that TI is charging is incredibly reasonable. What I'm doing is just making a...

The Arduino/GRBL/DRV8711 combination works great so far. I have only tried it on one axis so far (because I don't have a complete machine yet), but it spins that motor like a top. I'm just trying...

Crazy thing is that I priced out all of the parts to build one of these and it came out to $20. That's without the cost of getting the PCB's made. The $25 that TI is charging for these boards is a...

I ended up using one Arduino for reading and writing the registers on the DRV8711. The code I wrote is similar to Mark_T's library except not nearly as elegant. I have a separate arduino running...

I picked up the DRV8711 booster pack and connected it to an Arduino running GRBL. It does a great job spinning my stepper but there are a number of registers that have to be written to the DRV8711...

Nice job! It's funny that you posted this today because I just ordered the DRV8711 booster pack and the suggested Launchpad for it.

Originally I was looking at 36X48 but given space constraints I will probably end up settling on 24X48. I've designed the size of the entire structure to insure that the spindle can reach each...

I actually really like this idea. If I move into a bigger place it would be a relatively easy task to convert it to being able to handle full 4X8 sheet material. The gantry is already 9 inches...

So as far as building the gantry long ways, are you referring to something like this? I didn't put in all of the screws and the spacing of the cross tubes is off but I just wanted to get an idea of...

Any of the tubes that will be tapped will be 1/4 inch thick walls. That would be the base cross tubes, the 2 tubes that make up the gantry, and the tubes that make up the gantry risers. Most...

I'm using the CNCRouterparts skate bearing assemblies on the Y and Z axes. I could design it into the X axis as well with a slight bit of work.

Just for craps and giggles I shrunk the width by 12 inches so that it has a 24X48 inch cutting area. I could live with this. It shaves about 40 lbs off of the weight. I could also get by with...

Unfortunately this is Bayonne, NJ. All of the lots are cut 25 feet wide and about 100 feet deep and the house takes up most of the lot except for a postage stamp backyard. The houses only have a...

Actually I thought of that exact same thing. Take a few 2X12's up there that span the entire width of the house and sister them next to the 2X6's that are already in there. Then build my machine on...

I'm thinking smaller and going the 80/20 extrusion route...then I could always build this one if/when I get a bigger place.

Unfortunately no basement or attic.

I started by drawing a 36X48 inch piece of sheet material and designed around that. 36 Inches is the widest piece of sheet material that I can fit through the opening to my attic. Throughout the...

The weight was something that I was worried about. The house is really old. The second floor-ceiling/attic-floor joists are 2X6 full dimensional spanning about 12 feet. They are spaced 16 inch...

Thanks for all of the great explanations of everything guys. I was getting really psyched up to start purchasing materials and then I brought the tape measure out. Ughhh....I did a little reality...

Well I think I have figured out how to source all of the materials for this. There is a local steel supplier that I can get all of the large items from, such as the rails and base tubes, basically...

mkbryant I really appreciate your post. I'm thinking that the rule of thumb of having the thread depth at least the width of the screw diameter is probably designed to insure that the holding power...

Thanks for the explanation! So I should be fine with the fine pitch. That is what I needed to hear :-)

For a few weeks I have been working on a bolt together cnc router design. The thread for that is located here:

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/diy-cnc-router-table-machines/245116-cnc.html

My...

Thanks guys for the suggestions! I am getting a few quotes from local steel suppliers to get materials for this build. I am feeling pretty confident that I can at least get the structure built...

This is a serious monster of a build! I'm a bit jealous.

This is all great advice, especially dealing with the drilling and tapping of the holes. When you talk about high quality drill bits and taps, what name should I be looking for? Do you have a link...

@handlewanker - I've seen quite a few designs that successfully use threaded rods as standoffs. I think the main point for me is to make the holes big enough to allow for a bit of adjustment before...

Thanks for the tip! I did a quick search and found this video which explains the process of using a drill to tap a hole. He's using a pretty thick chunk of steel whereas mine will be no more that...

I hear ya. I'm thinking I'll probably buy a whole bunch of drill bits and taps from Harbour Freight or maybe go even cheaper and order off of Aliexpress.

Well I think I have pretty much worked out all of the details. The only thing not showing is the plate going across the back of the gantry which ties the top and bottom tube together. This is the...