StepCraft 2 CNC Router Kit - From Assembly to first Prop

[blickfangQ2]

Hi everyone,

I lately decided to buy a CNC machine
I looked around for quiet some time and now finally found a machine that delivers everything I want.

It's the:
StepCraft 2 840 CNC Router Kit with the HF500 Spindle



US
https://stepcraft.us
Or for Germany
https://stepcraft-systems.com

I try to document every step. Maybe it's helpful for someone who also wants to join the CNC fun

 

[Strode]

Yes please. It will be educational for many. Thank you

 

[creative stress]

Sounds like a plan subed

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[blickfangQ2]

Today I got my confirmation that the set will be shipped today! I hope to have my hands on it this weekend.

 

[blickfangQ2]

There it is



I hope I'll find time to double check the content tonight

 

[creative stress]

Now the fun begins lol

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[blickfangQ2]

Oh yeah,
Its getting serious

 

[blickfangQ2]

 

[creative stress]

Love building stuff reminds me when i built my printer looks mint

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[blickfangQ2]

Last steps

 

[blickfangQ2]

Done



With two kids it was quiet a fast build I'm satisfied!

I'll try to test everything tonight, stay tuned!

 

[blickfangQ2]

So, I tested it and run into a few problems. First the cabletube gets stuck every time I move to the front left side. I need to find a solution for this, otherwise I'm afraid I can't build large object without worrying about ripping my cables out.
Second my reference Triggers are always "triggered". When I manually trigger one, it gets untriggered. I googled the problem and found that in the Shareware WinPC-NC USB (199€) you can invert the signals. I think I'll buy that software anyways to get more than just 2D milled. So yeah, I bit frustrated about the little issues, but I hope it'll get better tomorrow. It's quiet a learning curve if you haven't worked with similar technology before. What Import and Export Formats to choose...what programs to use for what...what tools to use etc.
But hey, I decided to go "kit" and not "ready to use" so that's kind of what I expected anyways.

Stay tuned, I'll try to be more precise as soon as I know what I'm doing

Seb

 

[jarroth]

The aplied free version of winpc should let you change the switches too.

I run a simular gantrymill with linuxcnc wich is free too. Takes a bit digging into the software settings though. For testing just get a old pc and download linuxcnc and install so you dont have to use your normal computer.

Jarroth

 

[blickfangQ2]

The aplied free version of winpc should let you change the switches too.

I run a simular gantrymill with linuxcnc wich is free too. Takes a bit digging into the software settings though. For testing just get a old pc and download linuxcnc and install so you dont have to use your normal computer.

Jarroth

Thanks for the advice. I bought WinPC-NC USB today and voilà everything works like a charm
Now to the cable tube

 

[blickfangQ2]

Just milled my first test-text



So far so good

 

[B Wo]

Cool! That doesn't look like it has too imposing a footprint. Very nice.

 

[jarroth]

feels good looking at your machine doing first cuts isnt it?

mine is just engraver now. going to upgrade the gantry to allow for highr Z axis to do 2.5 - 3D. so far my Z axis is manual going to automate it in progress. is low cost home build machine. nothing as fancy as yours. build it when i was home due to injury at work pure to fight boredom. next one will be able to do alot more.

 

[creative stress]

Just milled my first test-text

View attachment 547190

So far so good

Im so glad you managed to work everything out [emoji106] heres to some great future projects [emoji12]

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[blickfangQ2]

I'm very happy I got everything to work now

And so here comes my first Project:
Bucks Knife from IceAge 3 (Rudy's Tooth)

My son is a huge IceAge fan so he begged me for a long time to build one.

First up the 3D model:




I cut it in half so my CNC router can work with it. Now I need to make rough pockets

 

[blickfangQ2]

I decided to make the rough path with a 6mm flat end mill and the fine path with a 3mm radius end mill.
Mill is set to 20000 rpm

Here we go:




So far so good

And here is a better image of the knife: