CNC Machines and everything for the total novice!

[wr30025728]

Hi folks.  And I mean every last one of you!  I joined this site the other day and have been reading and reading.  So much good stuff on there.

I haven't ever done any machining of anything other than with a handheld drill.

Seeing all this, I'd like to get my own CNC rig and see what I can conjure up besides literal paperweights.

I mess around with woodworking some, and making sawdust is therapeutic, making firewood is not so much.

Soooooooooo, all that said, I'd like to try and build an AR 15 and an AR 10 just to see if I can really do it.  What tools are the best for that and what jigs, etc and where do I get the stuff!!!  And what will it cost.  I am shuddering.  I am thinking it would be cheaper to buy a complete ready-made kit or completed rifle, but this would sure be alot of fun.  I'm a disabled Vet, so I have the time.  Making metal shavings has gotta be good for the soul too.

Thanks in advance for any responses I may receive that are helpful.

Y'all take care.

[wr30025728]

Wow.  Sure can't type much in one of these windows.  I may be confused, but the AR-10 is the 7.62x39mm, right?

Thanks folks.

[TehVice]

Wow.  Sure can't type much in one of these windows.  I may be confused, but the AR-10 is the 7.62x39mm, right?

Thanks folks.

7.62x51mm (.308)

[j_blankenship]

First off welcome and thanks for your service brother!

Second, you're in for it now. Say good bye to your money! No, really it's not cheaper to make a a gun yourself, but then you can make one that is unlisted and unique to your desires. It's not ridiculously out of line though for the AR platform - I think I probably only have a few hundred per rifle more in each of mine than I would have paid for them already built. Add to that metalworking, or CNC machining and you can fall into the endless abyss of always a new tool or part you gotta have though.

Could be worse though, alot of people drink too much or get into drugs! Me I'd rather tinker with my hobbies and learn some (always learning from the guys on here that's for sure!). It's awful satisfying to go to the range and send that first round down range from a gun you built!!!!

Finest regards,
John B
John B

[wr30025728]

Thanks John for the post.

Folks, I really would like suggetions on a CNC machine.  Something affordable - perhaps $2500-3000.  I desire the most machine for the least money.

I'm a disabled Vet and only have just so much money.  This would be something that I might be able to make a few bucks on the side (that is desperately needed).

Thanks again for any responses that are helpful.

[wr30025728]

Hi folks.  I'm a little bummed out that I've gotten only one response.  I knwo there ar epeople out there that have more knowledge than I do about any of this (a gnat would know more at this point).

I looked at a Smithy CNC 1240 Bed Mill.  New, the crazy thing is $10K.  I just can't see it.  Even so, I guess a couple or three thousand is not a reasonable figure to get into a CNC machine.

Educate me folks - even if it's only your suggestions.  I am learning at this point.

Thanks in advance.

[couch]

WR,

Welcome to the forum! This forum moves a bit slow so don't take it too personal that responses are coming in slow.

A ready to run setup is going to run you a bit more than just a few grand. You'll also need programming software like MasterCAM, SurfCAM or the like.

If you are really up for a project you can buy a small mill from www.Grizzly.com and convert it to CNC with one of the kits from www.CNCFusion.com There are a few members on here that have done this. I may do it in the future as well.

With the jigs and 80%'s Justin and others sell here you can finish up an AR15, AR10 or 1911 with manual machines and they won't set you back anywhere near as much as a full CNC setup goes.

Take a look thru www.Grizzly.com and see what they offer. You'll have a lot of fun with manual machines. I just picked up a G0602 lathe from Grizzly as well as a G0619 mill which will be here in a few weeks. I have had the lathe for a couple weeks now and have done a lot of stuff with it already! I also picked up a vice from www.Glacern.com as well as an R8 Drill chuck for the mill and MT3 drill chuck for the lathe, a Sherline CNC Rotary table and angle plate from www.Sherlinedirect.com (who also sells cnc mills and lathes for pretty affordable prices, may even be in your budget but they are SMALL machines. www.Sherline.com for more info) I also have a vibratory tumbler and ultrasonic cleaner. I picked up all this stuff new for only a few grand.

If you want to learn more about the basics of milling check out the videos on www.Glacern.com They show a lot of neat things and the video quality is amazing!

Hope this helps.

-couch

[trailblazer]

how big of a work area do you need? if your making smaller parts i would go with the taig cnc mill which is right in your price range.

[goober]

welcome to the forum! 
sorry you're not getting as timely a response as you'd like.
i trust you've already read this thread and this one and also this and this and this and of course this and, and, and...

in other words, there is a wealth of coverage on this topic here on this forum, including many links to offsite resources where there is even more info.
when folks don't jump to help you, search is your friend.
good luck and let us know what you are considering, we'll try to help when we can.

[wr30025728]

Hehe.  That was a little brutal, but thanks Goober.

[wr30025728]

how big of a work area do you need? if your making smaller parts i would go with the taig cnc mill which is right in your price range.

Thanks Trailblazer.  I'll have a look at it.  I really haven't given alot of thought to all this.  I am really just exploring and learning.

At this point, my primary focus would be to make the AR lowers.  Perhaps uppers too.  It's hard to say what I will do.  I'd like to be able to make all the parts for both the lowers and uppers.  I think it would be fun to be able to do that.  I know I'd be amazed if I made something and it actually worked.

[goober]

Hehe.  That was a little brutal, but thanks Goober.

just wanted to make sure you already had the benefit of what's been posted before, as well as had some reading while you wait for folks to contribute w/ suggestions.
lots of options for you, and the things you can provide to help folks help you choose are (some of which you've already provided):
budget (you said $2500-3000)
type of projects you want to do (you said AR lowers, maybe uppers, maybe other stuff)
amount of space you have
type of space ( bears on what sort of machine can be placed there)
type of power available
time frame (if you're in no hurry, it may make sense to look for deals on used equipment)

lots of expertise here, and folks will definitely chime in as they get a clearer picture of your objectives.
once again welcome to the forum and thank you, truly, for your service.

[wr30025728]

Hi folks!  Anyone know anything about a Bridgeport TORQ CUT 22 CNC Milling machine?  It needs an x-axis motor.  Would this be something that I could use to produce uppers and lowers in all flavors equal in every way to the quality that Justin produces?  It'd be cool.  It'd be fun.

I downloaded the G-Code files for the AR-10.  Will they work on this machine?  Oh there is so much more to learn.  I'm almost overwhelmed.

I'd like to see some videos of someone making an upper or lower - from clamping the stock in the vise through completion.

Thanks folks.

[wr30025728]

Hi Goober,

Thanks again for your reply.  I did go and look at those links you provided.  I'm still searching for this and that and trying to learn all I can.  I found some more good stuff on here today.  There is soooooooooo much to learn.  I hope my heart holds up so I can actually produce some stuff.  It'd be fun and enjoyable.

My service was a privilige and I did it for you all.  I'd do it again, too, if I were physically able.

[trailblazer]

the second thing im going to recomend is to take some class on CAD (computer aided drafting), CAM (computer aided machining), and G-code Production. You also need to know a little about machining so that you can set up your machines to do what need to be done. Their's alot of information on the web about this stuff and i realy recomend checking out cnc zone and learning as much as possible. dont be affraid to ask questions over their.

[j_blankenship]

Hi folks!  Anyone know anything about a Bridgeport TORQ CUT 22 CNC Milling machine?  It needs an x-axis motor.  Would this be something that I could use to produce uppers and lowers in all flavors equal in every way to the quality that Justin produces?  It'd be cool.  It'd be fun.

Actually I have ran one of these a few years back, it was a fully enclosed CNC vertical machining center (mill) with a 16 tool umbrella style carousel toolchanger if I remember the tool count right. It was a neat machine, but it got little respect because it was in a shop where we had several much larger and more sophisticated machines.
The Torq-cut had DC servos and a Bridgeport brand control, which worked pretty good. I think it had about 30" travel in X, 16" in Y, and 16" in Z (pretty common small machine) with a CAT40 taper spindle. It had a little lag due to the control being a PC based architecture and not being a real advanced bunch of hardware compared to high dollar machines we were using - but all in all I would take it.
If you can get one of these at a low price and get a motor replacement, or get the one on it rebuilt - I'd say go for it. The freight and rigging is gonna be a couple of grand though... This is a pretty large step into CNC work, most people start out with a table top type rig first then move up, but that's not to say you can't make good use of it.

Regards,
John B

[wr30025728]

the second thing im going to recomend is to take some class on CAD (computer aided drafting), CAM (computer aided machining), and G-code Production. You also need to know a little about machining so that you can set up your machines to do what need to be done. Their's alot of information on the web about this stuff and i realy recomend checking out cnc zone and learning as much as possible. dont be affraid to ask questions over their.

Hi Trailblazer.  I've been a programmer for nearly 30 years. G-Code is pretty much just like hard coding Postscript to a printer. I found a series of videos that showed me everything I needed to see.  This stuff is simple.  I do hope I get to actually make some ARs - in several flavors (and colors!  Yep, I'm gonna fool with anodizing too).

[wr30025728]

Hi folks!  Anyone know anything about a Bridgeport TORQ CUT 22 CNC Milling machine?  It needs an x-axis motor.  Would this be something that I could use to produce uppers and lowers in all flavors equal in every way to the quality that Justin produces?  It'd be cool.  It'd be fun.

I downloaded the G-Code files for the AR-10.  Will they work on this machine?  Oh there is so much more to learn.  I'm almost overwhelmed.

I'd like to see some videos of someone making an upper or lower - from clamping the stock in the vise through completion.

Thanks folks.

Well crud.  I can't find the G-Code files on the AR-10 so quick.  I would like to know what each file does in the process.  I didn't see remarks that explained that.

[couch]

Hi folks!  Anyone know anything about a Bridgeport TORQ CUT 22 CNC Milling machine?  It needs an x-axis motor.  Would this be something that I could use to produce uppers and lowers in all flavors equal in every way to the quality that Justin produces?  It'd be cool.  It'd be fun.

I downloaded the G-Code files for the AR-10.  Will they work on this machine?  Oh there is so much more to learn.  I'm almost overwhelmed.

I'd like to see some videos of someone making an upper or lower - from clamping the stock in the vise through completion.

Thanks folks.

Well crud.  I can't find the G-Code files on the AR-10 so quick.  I would like to know what each file does in the process.  I didn't see remarks that explained that.

This should give you a better understand of each op. http://www.cncguns.com/projects/ar10lower.html

[wr30025728]

Hi folks!  Anyone know anything about a Bridgeport TORQ CUT 22 CNC Milling machine?  It needs an x-axis motor.  Would this be something that I could use to produce uppers and lowers in all flavors equal in every way to the quality that Justin produces?  It'd be cool.  It'd be fun.

I downloaded the G-Code files for the AR-10.  Will they work on this machine?  Oh there is so much more to learn.  I'm almost overwhelmed.

I'd like to see some videos of someone making an upper or lower - from clamping the stock in the vise through completion.

Thanks folks.

Well crud.  I can't find the G-Code files on the AR-10 so quick.  I would like to know what each file does in the process.  I didn't see remarks that explained that.

This should give you a better understand of each op. http://www.cncguns.com/projects/ar10lower.html

I appreiciate the response Couch.  I found the G-Code files again.  I still need a better, more specific clarification to what each files does.  The first couple Operations have more than one process file.  Maybe Justin will see this and coment.  Thanks again.