The goal of this project is to build a CNC plasma cutter capable of cutting a piece of metal 4'x8'. This is my first CNC machine, so it will take some time to complete it because I will need to learn everything along the way. This is a fairly large project and I certainly would not take it on without the help and support of he Milwaukee Makerspace.

This was the first project I talked about at the space and was met with a lot of enthusiasm for it. I did some reading and found several designs out there and have selected one that I think is the most reasonable and easiest to build accurately. Here is a link to the site I am getting the most info from: http://www.cncrouterparts.com/ There are drawings of many of the parts and assembly instructions and tips and tricks.

With the design selected, I turned my focus on electronics as this was the area I needed the most help as I did not know anything about it. Tom Gr had some large steppers and drivers that he donated to the cause, so I was on my way. Ed Cramer took some time to help test the drivers and motors, but it looked like the motors were fairly weak and may not be able to do the job.

With some confidence that we would be able to get the electronics working (Ed really taught me a lot), I figured we should start looking for some materials to start building the hardware. Tom Gr introduced me to a scrap yard that specialized in industrial machines and I spent a day there and found a really cool frame that could be used.

Well, the parts are almost all aquired and at the space.

I started cutting the cross bars that will support the bed.

• Joe