USA news on Youtube Dec 28 2018

Hey everyone!

Today we're going to build a CNC engraver from a kit- it's the SainSmart Genmitsu.

For those of you who don't know, CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control.

Which is how we control Lasercutters and 3D printers also,

but we don't really call them CNC machines.

It's a little confusing.

Anyway, as it turns out we mostly use CNC

to describe a computer controlled machine tool, that cuts away material.

In DIY this usually means a spinning cutting tool that moves on the same X Y and Z axis a 3D printer does,

but instead of squirting out hot plastic that dries in layers, it cuts away material.

Last year I got into metalworking a tiny bit for my BattleBao combat RC car project.

It's a lot of fun but working metal with hand tools when you are a small person- not fun.

I'm not just smaller, I'm about a third or less as strong as most guys are.

Imagine that power drill weighing three times as much, twisting your wrist three times as hard,

all while holding a grip made for a hand three times as large.

Yeah yeah, I'm Chinese don't try to math me in the comments-

square-cube law is not doing me any favors.

Anyway, power tools cutting metal in a small apartment-

it would be pushing my luck with my very patient neighbors.

But, as it turns out I may not have those neighbors for long-

my rent is going up 50% next year.

That's pretty normal for Shenzhen because the city is growing so fast.

I'm thinking if I can get some small space in a factory complex, maybe I can live there, fix it up a little bit

and have a space where I can use machine tools that won't bother any neighbors.

I don't know we'll see,

I've got a few months to figure it out.

The thing is though,

if I ever do have access to a proper CNC machine I want to have some idea of what I'm doing.

I want to put in the study time so I don't make a complete fool of myself when the time comes.

So SainSmart offering me their Genmitsu CNC Router Kit this week was really good timing.

I hope it's a good little machine to learn on,

but lets open it up, put it together and find out.

Ok, I downloaded the software, and the CNC router kit is all set.

But I'm not sure the wires are all in the right position.

So I'm going to test it without the cutter first.

Well, for safety, I'm going to cover myself up.

This video is sponsored by Creality3D, makers of the Ender-3, 3D Printer.

Check the description box for more info.

Ok, now the real thing.

Ok so not super impressive but as I said I'm using it to learn on,

so the results are going to be pretty modest at first.

You'll have to be patient with me.

As far as putting it together it's basically a 3D printer

but with a spin-y thing instead of a squirty thing.

It's a lot like putting together the BarBot I made.

I think the collet should come attached to the spindle-

I don't think most people want to use a torch like I had to.

I kind of wish it was at least partially assembled,

but if there's one thing 3D printers have taught me

it's that whatever time you save with having things already assembled,

you lose not knowing exactly how to take it apart when it's time to troubleshoot.

So I think putting this together from parts was probably best for me if I want to learn,

I'm just being lazy.

I know it looks like I just pulled this out of the box and started milling things-

but it was only because I did a lot of studying beforehand. That's not any fault in the Genmitsu,

CNC is a big step up from 3D printing and it seems like SainSmart has done everything

they can to make that learning experience as easy as possible.

I'll link to the videos I studied in the comments section.

Next time I'm going to try making something of my own design,

it looks a little tricky but I think I can do it-

and remember if I can do it, anyone can do it!