Information given to me by Jason B at the DMS on how to make a CNC Router.
A link to the main Shapoko site: http://www.shapeoko.com/
Where I got the kit: https://www.inventables.com/
Controller I’m using: http://www.panucatt.com/
General Idea for the spindle(motor drive) that I’m using: http://www.mycncuk.com/forums/
Where I have been getting my bits: http://stores.ebay.com/
Software to stream Gcode to the Arduino: http://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/
I researched CNC routers for a good month or so before deciding on the Shapeoko. It’s the cheapest and most upgradable one you can find due to the Makerslide.
I got this board but I burned out a driver on another project and since it was to tall to fit in my enclosure I just said fuck it. I’ll make you a deal on it. hehehe.
Other than a few small differences they work very similar to a 3D printer just running on an arduino Uno or similar with GRBL as opposed to Marlin/Mega. The arduino is rather taxed just running as it does so a computer of some sort has to stream the Gcode. Many people have tried to port the code to the Arduino Mega but it fails miserably.
I did find this site a few days ago that has ported GRBL to anything that runs the ARM M3. Looks interesting but I know nothing about it.
You can also go with Mach3 or EMC2 but then you need a PC with a parallel port and have to have a break out card that costs more than my whole controller.
Ramps and CNC