Just bought a CNC + Laser.

deuse · 4 Nov 2021 at 19:39

I couldn't find any other place to to put this.

I got a Cnc 3018 Pro + 5500mw Laser Engraver Cutter Engraving Machine Offline Controller.

https://vevor.co.uk/collections/woo...r-cutter-engraving-machine-offline-controller

For the price I think it's a good deal.
I have a lot of learning to do. But hoping it all works out.

Anyone else got such a thing?

Matt_Hirst · 5 Nov 2021 at 14:41

I have the 3018, also have an mpcnc we built over lockdown and just this week bought a laser and air assist pump for the 3018, plan on putting it all together tomorrow.

If you have any questions or I can help at all then let me know.

Matt

P.S. check out james dean designs on you tube, been watching lots of his videos.

Rilot · 5 Nov 2021 at 15:00

I think you probably want to upgrade the spindle if you intend to cut anything other than soft wood and a very shallow DoC. 500W isn't a lot.

deuse · 6 Nov 2021 at 08:26

Rilot said:
I think you probably want to upgrade the spindle if you intend to cut anything other than soft wood and a very shallow DoC. 500W isn't a lot.

Thanks for that.

deuse · 6 Nov 2021 at 08:29

Matt_Hirst said:
I have the 3018, also have an mpcnc we built over lockdown and just this week bought a laser and air assist pump for the 3018, plan on putting it all together tomorrow.

If you have any questions or I can help at all then let me know.

Matt

P.S. check out james dean designs on you tube, been watching lots of his videos.

I will be watching his videos.

I'm trying to find free software that will do the roughing out and then smoothing.
james dean designs did show some software that could do it.
But after 4 times it wasn't cheap.

deuse · 8 Nov 2021 at 10:23

What wood do I need for testing and playing?

And does anyone know of a Switch kit for the 3018?

Thanks

Matt_Hirst · 8 Nov 2021 at 10:33

I currently just go down B and Q, they have offcuts that get sold cheap, it's where I pick mdf and ply from. Have a look in Facebook market place for anyone selling offcuts, anything will do whilst learning.

Easel is a good learning experience for cnc, get a months free trial, you can play about with different bits and get a good preview of what will be cut, add multiple tools so start with large bit, swap to smaller bit for fine detail.

Matt

deuse · 8 Nov 2021 at 10:37

Matt_Hirst said:
I currently just go down B and Q, they have offcuts that get sold cheap, it's where I pick mdf and ply from. Have a look in Facebook market place for anyone selling offcuts, anything will do whilst learning.

Easel is a good learning experience for cnc, get a months free trial, you can play about with different bits and get a good preview of what will be cut, add multiple tools so start with large bit, swap to smaller bit for fine detail.

Matt

I will buy some mdf and ply from ebay

And I will also get some maple off cuts.

Thanks

Matt_Hirst · 8 Nov 2021 at 10:44

Just be careful with mdf use it in a well ventilated area when cutting...same with all woods really.

I need to look at getting some of my wood thinned down, have quite a bit of walnut, but just don't have the tools yet to do it.

Matt

deuse · 8 Nov 2021 at 11:35

Matt_Hirst said:
Just be careful with mdf use it in a well ventilated area when cutting...same with all woods really.

I need to look at getting some of my wood thinned down, have quite a bit of walnut, but just don't have the tools yet to do it.

Matt

That's the thing.

Mine will have to go in to the a small room inside my place.
I'm also looking for a hepa filter air cleaner so I can use the laser.

Still looking for a limit switch upgrade.

Matt_Hirst · 8 Nov 2021 at 12:08

To be fair I wouldn't bother with limit switches at the moment, I have them on my bigger mpcnc, only really use for homing.

My upgrade was the laser I bought, so thinking I'll use this 3018 for small laser jobs, keep my mpcnc for the bigger jobs.

Just have fun learning how to use it.

Matt

deuse · 8 Nov 2021 at 12:46

Matt_Hirst said:
To be fair I wouldn't bother with limit switches at the moment, I have them on my bigger mpcnc, only really use for homing.

My upgrade was the laser I bought, so thinking I'll use this 3018 for small laser jobs, keep my mpcnc for the bigger jobs.

Just have fun learning how to use it.

Matt

I thought the limit switches would help when I rough the wood out and then mill it fine.
It should be here this week.

deuse · 9 Nov 2021 at 11:26

I've got the wood\glass\limit switches coming.

Just 3d printing out the holders for the switches.
Then I will search for the code to turn them on

deuse · 11 Nov 2021 at 14:25

The Vevor 3018 arrived ok.

But the motherboard has no switch pins.
So I got a GBRL 1.1 version off the forest.

Just got to put it together now

deuse · 22 Nov 2021 at 09:47

My cnc is in bits.

I have got a 3040 upgrade and spoilboard coming.
I bought a 20,000 775 motor upgrade come backup.

I know the power supply and motherboard can't take 20,000 rpm from the off.
So I will have to put some code in.

Will post pictures once it's together.

NickK · 4 Oct 2022 at 06:50

xxalxx · 12 Jan 2023 at 01:59

I have always wanted to build a CNC will have to find some time for it one day.

Laser wise I built my own diode laser a while ago:

Core XY Laser - 2040 Frame by xxalxx

Update > I have added a zip file containing all the Fusion 360 Designs for this build, will make it easier to mod for your own use. If you do make changes/mods/new versions please link back as a remix of the original design. I had some lengths of spare 2040 extrusion left over from converting my...

www.thingiverse.com

And then brought a K40.

I do have room for a CNC ….