Thread: X3 Mill converted to CNC

Nice one!

Did the kit include everything you needed or did you have to top up some extras?

Hi John,
Yes all the mechanicals. Here is a a link if you want more information.
http://www.cncfusion.com/
It is the Deluxe kit I have used which claims zero backlash.

Come on how 'bout some pics with chips Rod

Originally Posted by hux

Come on how 'bout some pics with chips Rod

What and get it dirty.

Yeah once the enclosure is done and coolant added it will get a hammering. The driver box below the table makes it a little prone to letting out smoke if I am too impatient.

The CNC looks great. I'm really tempted now

So what else did you have to buy besides the kit and the X3 mill?

Controllers? Software? I'd be curious to know which controllers you got and how much they were and which software you got with it too. Where did you get instructions on putting the kit together and configuring the controller part?

Hi Phil,
The controller is a mix and match. I used a C10 breakout board ($25US) from
CNC4PC to interface between the computer and drivers.
The rest of the gear I got direct from the manufacturer in China. Details are:
I used a 8078 driver ($87US) for the Nema34 on Z axis and two 5056 drivers ($56US each) for the Nema 23 on X and Y. Power supplies were $27US and I needed two. Nema 34 600 oz motor was $36US and Nema23 497oz motors were $20US each. All the above plus shipping and if you compare prices with local and overseas suppliers you will see these are very cheap.
Even so I suspect you are a bit put off by the total as most are but when you compare it to a commercial CNC mill you are making a considerable saving.
I use Mach3 ($159US) for the controller software and Vcarvepro ($495US) to design and create the code for the controller.
I have put together a few CNC mills and made a couple of gantry routers so I sort of know what to do but CNCZone forum is where I get my information from. Very helpful people on that site.

Thanks for the info. Looking at those prices, it's not as expensive as I would think. I know motors, controllers and software can add up quite a bit

I'm not familiar with Vcarvepro, is that a CAD program like Autocad or Inventor? If so, I already own copies of both of those. I just have no idea if I can create G-code with them.

EDIT: I was already looking into getting one of the cheaper Hafco mills under $2000, the X3 looks flimsier next to those ones. Would the other machines (hm-30, hm-31, hm- 35, hm-45) be easilly modified to CNC?

Also, how is the X3? Does it work better than it looks? I look at it and the size and shape of it just looks cheap next to the bigger machines they have on display

G'day Phil.
I have an X3. It's not CNC yet, just manual control.
I make compensators and scope mounts for handguns on it.
SO far it has done everything I need.

Tooling can really make or break these machines. I tried the cheap ebay stuff, but now only buy Sutton slot drills and endmills.

I did pickup some solid carbide endmills from ebay. these work great for milling hardened gun parts.

I tried to talk the financial controller into letting me CNC the X3, but she needs (wants) new interior paint and curtains.

Hi Phil,
I haven't used the X3 yet as I need to finish making a enclosure so I can use coolant. I have an X2 hybrid mill which has been converted to CNC and I love using it to produce parts. The way I have strengthened it it is probably more rigid than my manual HM45.
Here is the link
The X3 is for the hobby market and I would not use one for industrial use however some do and find them fine for prototyping. The round column HM30 series are really not suited to CNC unless you only want to convert the quill travel. The HM45 does convert well to CNC as it has a dovetail column but the cost of converting is multiples of the cost of converting an X3. The larger and longer ballscrews are on a different page in the price book and you have to go to servos to move the tables and head around.
The advantage of CNC is you go have a cuppa with SHMBO or tinker with something else while your job is running. Shallow cuts on the X3 overcome less rigidity than the larger machines so it works if you are not concerned about production times.

Vcarvepro is an all in one drawing and CAM package. Very easy to use for us dummies. If you have Autocad then you can export to Mach3 through a built in CAM package called Lazycam. I tried Lazycam in my learning curve for CNC and for me it was not easy to understand.

Trevor,
There are three X3's CNC'd over here all using different kits (Syil, the Aussie Kit and CNCFusion) so after your painting and decorating chores are finished get in touch if you want some feedback on the different kits. A couple of the machines are running belt driven 3 phase motors and VFD's as well. I think you have a motor controller from one of the blokes that sold his original gear on ebay.

Guys, that X3 looks really good in real life. Paid a visit to Rod during the week.......we had a bit of a fiddle with the X3....wow a job well done. But having said that, so are all the stuff Rod does.
I would love to see the mill in the enclosure Rod, c'mon its only Saturday, how about showing us the completed unit on this Sunday night!

(guess we cant take the mickey on here as we do in real life Rod, lol).

Very nice!

Originally Posted by gatiep

Guys, that X3 looks really good in real life. Paid a visit to Rod during the week.......we had a bit of a fiddle with the X3....wow a job well done. But having said that, so are all the stuff Rod does.
I would love to see the mill in the enclosure Rod, c'mon its only Saturday, how about showing us the completed unit on this Sunday night!

(guess we cant take the mickey on here as we do in real life Rod, lol).

Gatiep,
I thought you would at least set me a challenge and make it tonight - an extra day is very generous of you.
In reality this will be a two week job as I have to cut and mill some plates as well as work out how I am actually going to make it. As usual no plans and it will grow as materials on hand allow and my imagination can extend.
I will try and build as much wieght into it as I can so that when I invite you to give me a hand shifting it you will earn your free coffee. Sorry best I can do as a come back.

Fossil,
Thanks.

Well it took a little longer than a day to build the enclosure. A lot of work to form the tray and then make everything fit. I'll let the photos show how it was made.

Very nice work! I like it.

What sort of parts are you intending to do Rod?
I might have a little market for you if you want to work in 6082 t6 temper aluminum, as well as stainless. Small parts for the racing model "industry"