Build Your Own CNC Machine (Technology in Action) 1st ed. Edition

I echo what others have said. This is a quick read. I am also happy to say that I have built the machine and it works. I've now cutting parts, making engraved panels, and quite proud of the coolest machine/power tool I have ever owned sitting in my garage.First I'll start with the...Caveats:- Visit the websites the book recommends you visit.- You'll need to read the entire book. In fact I recommend several times. If you are like me you'll inadvertently do this. So, cut once, measure twice, and read thrice. In the opposite order.- You only need to be a good woodworker once, then you can start cutting better parts. But "whoa to you" if you don't take care to square things up. The lumber requirements (4x 24x48x.75 MDF) are forgiving so you can re-cut pieces that you were careless on.- The total cost is closer to 1500$. You can nickle and dime your way through the structure and you will with multiple trips to your local big box store, but the electronics are an expensive purchase. No getting around it.- In some of the chapters you are going to have to wing it or at least you will feel like you are. Now, you do get an explanation of what to do...but the custom measuring is going to be entirely up to you.- If you aren't buying custom ACME/Hi-Lead screws from somewhere...just go right to the 1/2" 13TPI threaded rod deals from your big box store. You can use smaller sizes, but you shouldn't.My details:I was able to build my machine in about 2 months. I found many used items that were required including the computer, monitor, Craftsman chamfer bits and router on craigslist. I didn't have a table saw...so I created a circular saw jig which served me well. I didn't have a drill press...so I eyeballed it. When I had the machine build I was able to make parts and cut stuff completely with open source software. Linux EMC2, PyCAM, and HeeksCAD. Regardless, my machine works. It really really really works. It's as cool as I thought it would be. This book helped me 90% of the way.The book:It really does explain how to build a working CNC machine from the ground up with wood, bolts, and fairly common items. It's not the latest DIY model. There are easier and probably better ways to skin the cats this book skins...but those ways are more costly. You should no doubt investigate those options. Be informed. However, if you need to ease your way into a CNC machine either because of budget or time or because you like to do things yourself...this is the book for you...this is the machine for you.Pre-requisites:- You should be able to read, study, and study pictures.- You should be someone who is able to push through the last 10%. Several times. There will be times where you wonder what have I gotten myself into and the fog will descend upon you before you know it. STOP! Go back and read. Then keep building.- You should watch the online videos of the author building the machine in his living room and bathroom for motivation.- You should have a modest set of tools in your man cave and know how to use them. Safety glasses, masks, T-square, measuring tape, screw driver, socket sets, clamps, saw. Power versions of tools are better if you are of an inpatient humor.- You should be able to keep your eye on the prize. A working CNC machine of your very own.The book:The book is well written, there are some inaccuracies (basically you should look on the internets for the errata notes and an updated shopping list), there is humor throughout, and timely recommendations to read the entire chapter/book before you begin (already!). It barely covers what you need to know about CAD, CAM, and the electronics...but while you are waiting for parts to arrive in the mail you can look around the net and use that time to get yourself acquainted with what is available. This book is about building the machine. This machine. Which is now ubiquitously called in the community the "book machine".Recommendations:I bought the kindle version. However, in hindsight, I maybe should have bought the paper book version...because I could have had it out in the garage with me. I was too worried about getting my kindle all MDF particle dusty. However, with frequent trips back into the house to double check things on the kindle...I was still able to build the machine with the kindle version. I recommend this book and the machine that you can ultimately build from it.

This book is exactly what it says it is, a plans-in-text-form book of exactly how to build your own two foot by four foot CNC router. Or, you could build it smaller... bigger... just change a few dimensions.The authors base their build on MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) construction, and use their own (very creative) design for the axis bearings. Their reasoning for using MDF rather than plywood or plastic is compelling. They recommend 1/2" threaded rod for the leadscrews, as one would expect for a DIY design, but of course those screws aren't going to give you the precision accuracy of purpose-built leadscrews. (For a definition of leadscrews, see this book or see The CNC Cookbook, available from Amazon, which I review elsewhere.)I like this book very well, but didn't give it five stars because there is no comprehensive materials list anywhere in it and because they refer too often to their web site for particulars. Like, for instance, detailed drawings and the aforementioned comprehensive materials list.They do list the materials used in each chapter at the end of that chapter, but that's not the same as a comprehensive materials list you could photocopy and take shopping. This may at least partly be because they'd really like to sell you a significant portion of the materials off their web site.I have not yet built my machine & can't speak to how well it will work. I'm confident, just from reading their book, that if I do my job well they will have done theirs well and I will have a valuable machine. As to why I haven't built mine yet, the authors strongly advocate that you read through the entire book before attempting a build, which I think is a good suggestion.If I remember to I'll stop back by and amend my review after I build mine.

I got this book a week ago and was excited when I got it. I started skimming through it and was caught off guard that there was little dedicated to any of the software needed for a CNC Machine to run. Then I realized, this book is about building your own CNC as the title says, not about the software! There's enough info to get you started but don't expect a lot of detail on the breadth of software etc. That is apparently a completely different world.So the title of the book is exactly what the book is about. Building your Own CNC and it really nails it with all the details that are in here. All the steps are covered, what tools you'll need, what tools they recommend etc. It's all there.I really am enjoying this book and am looking forward to building this thing.

An inspiring introduction to the topic. Lots of detail in the book (and plans on the website) on how to cut and assemble the parts. Two cautions: (1) I see it more as a thorough guideline rather than a detailed recipe - several details of some parts are left unsaid, I assume because the idea is to use suitable parts that you can find rather than slavishly hunting down the specific parts the authors used. There are also several errors, such as specifying 1/4" bolts for a 5/16" inside-diameter bearing - so check the design as you read. (2) There is no comprehensive parts list. Instead, specifications of the parts are scattered throughout the narrative of the book. I recommend compiling your parts (and tools) list as you read the book.Definitely read the whole book before attempting to build the CNC. There are Tips in several places that describe alternatives, such as using 1" rail instead of 1 1/4" rail, or drilling paired holes with a different technique. I should also mention that this book uses Imperial/SAE/USA measures rather than metric.Unfortunately, after being very excited about this book, I found I wasn't able to build the project, and have given up: I don't have a table saw, which - despite what the book says - is essential to making the cuts accurately enough to create an accurate CNC.