How to make a homemade milling machine for wood and metal

With the help of milling machines, it is possible to easily cut metal. In addition, it is possible to process various wooden blanks. All this is done with the help of such a detail as a milling cutter. In form, it may be quite different, but the general features of it can still be distinguished. It looks like a metal pin, at the end of which there are blades. In form they can be flat or shaped.

If we talk directly about the machines, the milling cutter in them can be placed vertically or horizontally. The position of the main nodes also changes. In terms of dimensions, the devices also differ, since the power of the machines can be from 3 kW to 6 kW. In addition, it should be taken into account that the working platforms are manufactured in various sizes.

Simple milling machine

In order to make a simple homemade carpentry milling machine, it is necessary first of all to choose a high-quality electric motor. It will eventually be attached to the frame. Further, at the top, as a rule, there is a base from which the proboscis extends. It is made mainly of steel. At the same time, the minimum thickness of metal should be 1.5 mm (the drawing of the homemade milling machine is shown below). The bushing can be made of steel in this case.

Supports for the machine tool specialists are most often made of cast iron. The minimum width of the bar for them should be about 3 cm. In addition, provide a connector for the control unit. In this case it is important to choose a reliable controller to start the electric motor. A niche for it can be cut out of wood.

How to make a table for a machine?

To date, tables for machine tools are made from both wood and metal. If we consider the first option in addition, it is possible to install a set of tool shelves. The longitudinal board in this case should have a thickness of 2 cm. The height of the table will be 1.2 meters.

In order to install shelves under the homemade milling machine on wood, it is necessary to provide in advance a lower bar for fixing them. Also, many experts advise the control unit to install directly in the table. To do this, select the controller with the "Start" and "Stop" buttons. At the end of the work, it is necessary to make a hole for the power cable.

If we consider metal tables, then the pipes in this case are best selected with a square cross-section. All of this, in the long run, will allow us to withstand the heavy weight of the machine. In addition, the user will be able to handle large blanks. The working area of the place should at least occupy 240 x 460 mm.

Fitting the plug

A homemade metal milling machine can not be done without a fork intended to hold the bushing on which the milling cutter is attached. It is made more often from brass. If to consider horizontal updatings, its length as a minimum should make 5 see it Fastens it to the plug by means of welding. Before that, it is very important to clean it thoroughly. The width of the plug must be at least 2 cm.

If we consider a vertical self-made milling machine for metal, then in this case it is fixed on the frame. To do this, it is necessary to provide a special basis. It is made, as a rule, from metal. In this case, if you use a wooden table, you can fill it with a bar of great thickness. Then the fork is cleaned and fixed to the bushing. To do this, you need to use a welding machine.

Mounting the shaft on the machine

The shaft for the machine is selected mainly hex. In this case, the torque will be higher. At the base, the shaft must be fixed to the frame. At the same time, its other side is attached to the trunk. To avoid excessive friction of the shaft, experts advise it to lubricate with machine oil before installation. In addition, the slider should be measured. If it is located quite low, then the frame should be lengthened, increasing the base.

Swivel plate in the device

Machines with a rotary plate are quite popular today. This is mainly due to the fact that they make it possible to accurately adjust the position of the workpiece during its processing. In addition, they replace a large number of flywheels in the structure. Thus, a self-made milling machine for wood is more compact. As a consequence, it is able to withstand a large billet, and at the same time the base itself is not strongly pressured.

The execution of the rotatable base can be different. As a rule, it implies the use of bearings. In some cases, they are replaced by special heads, which are installed on a homemade milling machine for wood. However, such modifications will cost an order of magnitude more. Given all of the above, it is best to consider the first option. Bearings in this case, it is advisable to choose a diameter of not more than 3 mm.

Installation of bearings

To establish bearings it is necessary in a groove, preliminary having greased. The number of grooves depends only on the dimensions of the plate itself. If you take the standard platform 250 x 250 mm, then four grooves for bearings is enough. However, more dimensional models require special calculation. In this situation, hexagonal or octagonal bases should be considered. In this case, it becomes possible to increase the number of grooves.

In order for the table to be comfortable to use, small pushers are attached to it. With their help, you can easily move the plate on the work surface. In order for the homemade wood milling machine to work properly, periodic inspections of the grooves must be carried out. If the lubricant is broken, then all the elements must be removed, cleaned and repositioned.

Fastening the worm gear

The worm mechanism of the machine must be mounted on a base. If we consider cast-iron frames, then they need to make two holes. In addition, a small plate is required, which will ensure the fixation of the worm mechanism. In order not to disrupt the operation of the device, it is necessary first of all to measure the distance from the base to the shaft. Given the size of the worm mechanism, it is important to compare everything before the installation.

Some in this regard prefer welding method. However, it is much easier to connect the plate with nuts. At the end of the work, it must necessarily be hidden by a protective panel. Otherwise, the dirt will settle on it quite often. Eventually, the shaft will also become dirty, and its torque will decrease significantly.

Control block

The control unit for the machine must be selected based on the power of the power system. In addition, it is necessary in advance to provide for it a niche on the table. Most often blocks for an asynchronous motor are purchased two-channel. In this case, the user is able to switch on and off the homemade CNC milling machine with two buttons. However, for some this is not enough, and they want to regulate the rotational speed of the mill.

In this case, you need to think about buying a multi-channel unit. As a result, the user will have the opportunity to independently adjust the pace of work. Before installing this equipment, it is important to hold all power cables and at the same time hide them, in order not to damage in the future.

Horizontal milling machine

Horizontal self - made turning and milling machines in our time are rare. This is due to the fact that they are able to process, as a rule, only wooden blanks. In this case, metal objects are milled on them with great difficulty. In order to make this device, you must immediately choose a cast iron base.

The proboscis in this case is important to fix to the edge of the lower frame. In this situation, the shaft will not touch the adjustable plate. The bushing on the proboscis is installed, as a rule, with the help of a welding machine. However, you can use the screw method and fix the part to the nuts. Slides in the CNC milling machine for wood are installed in various diameters. In addition, it is necessary to provide a flywheel for changing the position of the cutter. Lastly, it is important to install the power supply unit together with the electric motor. The cable must be hidden under the frame, in order not to damage it during operation.

Vertical milling devices

Homemade vertical milling machines today are more common. By their design, they are quite similar, and compared to horizontal modifications are made much easier. First of all, you should choose a quality frame. In this case, you can use wooden panels. At the same time, it is necessary to strengthen them along the edges with blocks. Their minimum thickness should be about 3 cm. However, in this case, much depends on the dimensions of the electric motor.

Directly the proboscis in the mechanism should be located on the main plate. The working area of the vertical machine is approximately 250 x 250 mm. In this case, you can work with blanks of various sizes. In addition, it is necessary to provide a crankshaft in the device. It must be located immediately under the proboscis. In this case, the spindle to it is attached last. Before this, it is necessary to cut the frame out of metal and lay it on the frame. There is also a separate place for the control unit. It should be located near the electric motor. The wiring is then fixed to the wall of the device.

Universal copying and milling machine

Universal self-made copying and milling machine is distinguished by its multifunctionality. Due to the movable spindle, the device can process parts from different angles. The adjustment can be done manually or with the help of a controller. In the first case, a special slab of a small size is placed on the frame. The brackets are fixed at its edges.

Flywheels are used to change their position. In this case, they should be selected with a small diameter. For better fixing of parts, it is necessary to use clamping rings. In this case, the load on the brackets during operation will be minimal. The milling cutter to the spindle must be tightened quite tightly. Some modifications of machines at the same time provide for special protection.