I got a 3d printer last January (2016). I had it for probably 2 months and came across the MPCNC. I’ve wanted a CNC router since probably 1998 or 99, but they were very expensive. The DIY ones almost always started with “First thing you do is take the CNC machine you already have and make these parts.”
This one does that, too, sort of, but the $300 duplicator i3 was much less of an initial investment. Plus, this time I actually did have the machine to make parts for the new machine.
Anyway, I printed out all the parts, ordered the hardware kit, and…it sat there for a while. I’ve got two little kids and a wife that works so time isn’t something I have a lot of.
One weekend back in May 2016 I put the frame together and put the rollers on the frame out in the workshop. Over the next week, I assembled the middle and the z-axis in the garage.
When I finally got back out to the workshop…the rollers had all split/separated/disintegrated with literally no load on them! I didn’t know it at the time but I had used very poor filament and printed them in my garage with 85-90% humidity. I reprinted the rollers but after inspecting the middle assembly I realized that needed to be re-done, too. So I put it on the back burner for a while.
Well, over the last year I’ve come a long way with my i3 and have gotten a lot better with it. I finally printed the new middle assembly and new z-axis. And this weekend my mother came over to watch the kids and I assembled everything.
IT’S ALIVE!!! What a great feeling to get all 3 axes moving in repetier. I still don’t have a tool mounted because I ran out of time, but I’m printing a pen mount tonight to get started.
SO NOW THE BIG QUESTION:
Now what?
I see people have driiled holes in their bed for holding the work, is there a “standard” grid I should use for that?
I have a D660 that I plan on using for cutting, with dreams of a dual extruder and laser engraver (with 4th axis, yo!)