The Makers Guide

Hello everyone I am Bill Griggs and I love building and designing CNC Router tables. I have been researching and tinkering with CNC Router tables and other CNC machines since 1995. Finding information about how CNC worked back in the early internet days was extremely difficult and time consuming. I spent nearly 3 years learning before I felt I had enough information to start building a CNC project. It took a lot of hard work and research before I could grasp the difference between the things that were important and those that were not. As I gathered more and more information together I began to realize that there was no one source that had all the information in one place. I could find bits and pieces of the puzzle in several places but not the whole picture.

I began compiling the information and am in the process of writing a book series about CNC and making things. Writing a book is a new experience for me and I am learning quite a bit about it as I go. That seems to be the way that I learn things. I will keep you posted about the progress I am making on my book which is tentatively titled “The Makers Guide to CNC Router Tables”. I plan to publish it on Kindle and in book form in the Spring of 2013.

C.N.C. Z AXIS

Last year I began work on designing a few new parts for my CNC Router table. I liked the way the existing parts work but I always feel the need to tinker and see if I can make something different (some times better). Because I wanted to create something unique, I kept it to myself while I developed it. I even nick named it the Warp Drive Project so I could discuss it with close friends without giving it away. It was fun having folks wonder what I was up to while I tinkered. If it failed at least I would know I tried. Well, it didn’t fail. It worked better than I hoped.

The Warp Drive Project’s goal was is to create a Rack & Pinion Z axis system for CNC Router tables which will provide faster Z axis travel and all weather operation while using fewer parts than conventional Leadscrew machine. The Warp Drive is a different way to make a CNC Z Axis and is adaptable to many CNC Router table designs such as the Joe’s CNC 4×4 Hybrid and the CastCNC machines.It is my hope that owners of CNC Router tables will be able to easily upgrade the Z axis mechanics over the course of a weekend.

I redesigned the Z- Axis of the machine and have been cutting with it for several months. It works really well. I spent over a year working on this project and built 3 different versions before it was bullet proof. I decided to offer the plans and template for you to Make  your own CNC Router Table Z- Axis. With these plans you can build one of the fastest DIY Z axis mechanisms available.

Edge Finders

My latest project is a tool to help CNC Router users accurately cut workpieces. To do this reliably, the maker needs to be able to establish a starting point for the machine, in relation to the work piece.  Most commercial machines have a closed loop system that tells the servo motors where they are at all times. Sadly, most D.I.Y. C.N.C. machines don’t have this feature so another trick is needed. I developed the Makers Guide Triple Edge Finder to help. I had them made at a local shop and they work great. I also felt good having a Made in the USA product made.

I am constantly working on projects and I plan to keep you posted on what I am up to. Please leave a comment about my site and tell me about what you are making.

Bill