Make: Kit Reviews » Tag: Tools

Kit Maker: CNC Fusion

Craig Couden — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:16:51 +0000

Make Kit Reviews

Kit Maker: CNC Fusion

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Community:
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TAGS: CNC, conversion, Tools, Workshop

Reviewed: January 3rd, 2012

Machining high-quality conversion parts, CNC Fusion started in 2004 when Michael Rodgers, a machinist by trade, wanted to build a CNC machine but realized that he couldn’t build the parts he’d designed for it without first owning … a CNC machine.

MakerBot Thing-O-Matic

Jake Spurlock — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 02:15:19 +0000

Make Kit Reviews

MakerBot Industries

MakerBot Thing-O-Matic

$1,299

Company Website Buy now!

Complexity: 4
Components: 5
Documentation: 4
Community: 5
Completeness: 5

TAGS: 3D printing, makerbot, Tools, Workshop

Reviewed: November 14th, 2011

Make Kit Reviews

MakerBot Industries

MakerBot Thing-O-Matic

$1,299

Company Website Buy now!

Complexity: 4
Components: 5
Documentation: 4
Community: 5
Completeness: 5

TAGS: 3D printing, makerbot, Tools, Workshop

Reviewed:

If you want to get into 3D printing but don’t know where to start, the MakerBot Thing-O-Matic Kit is the way to go. It’s a complete kit, so you need no additional parts, and a large user community can back you up if problems pop up (not to mention Thingiverse, where you can find awesome […]

X2 Mini Mill CNC kit #2 with X-Y-Z BALLSCREWS

Jake Spurlock — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 03:05:37 +0000

Make Kit Reviews

CNC Fusion

X2 Mini Mill CNC kit #2 with X-Y-Z BALLSCREWS

$579 (as tested $696)

Company Website Buy now!

Complexity: 3
Components: 5
Documentation: 3
Community: 4
Completeness: 4

TAGS: CNC, Tools, Workshop

Reviewed: November 13th, 2011

Make Kit Reviews

CNC Fusion

X2 Mini Mill CNC kit #2 with X-Y-Z BALLSCREWS

$579 (as tested $696)

Company Website Buy now!

Complexity: 3
Components: 5
Documentation: 3
Community: 4
Completeness: 4

TAGS: CNC, Tools, Workshop

Reviewed:

What to do when you want to machine precise custom parts but don’t have room or funds for a professional CNC? Invest in a manual mill that can convert into a CNC. Considered a great tool for the price, the X2 Mini Mill is the kit builder’s top choice, and Probotix offers complete conversion kits (see […]

RoadTech H3 Toolkit

Jake Spurlock — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 02:44:36 +0000

Make Kit Reviews

CruzTools Inc

RoadTech H3 Toolkit

$83

Company Website Buy now!

Complexity: 4
Components: 5
Documentation:
Community: 5
Completeness: 5

TAGS: tool set, Tools, Workshop

Reviewed:

Make Kit Reviews

CruzTools Inc

RoadTech H3 Toolkit

$83

Company Website Buy now!

Complexity: 4
Components: 5
Documentation:
Community: 5
Completeness: 5

TAGS: tool set, Tools, Workshop

Reviewed:

Most hobbyists neglect to get the good basic pieces you need to work on everyday machinery like counterfeit printing presses, getaway cars, and the trap doors on elevator ceilings. Instead, they get the $20 all-in-one checkout-line kit featuring tools made from an alloy of sawdust, soda cans, and rat droppings. RoadTech H3 tools absolutely don’t […]

The Phlatformer

Jake Spurlock — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 02:27:28 +0000

Make Kit Reviews

Phlatboyz LLC

The Phlatformer

$300

Company Website Buy now!

Complexity: 3
Components: 5
Documentation: 4
Community: 3
Completeness: 4

TAGS: Tools, vaccuum-forming, Workshop

Reviewed:

Make Kit Reviews

Phlatboyz LLC

The Phlatformer

$300

Company Website Buy now!

Complexity: 3
Components: 5
Documentation: 4
Community: 3
Completeness: 4

TAGS: Tools, vaccuum-forming, Workshop

Reviewed:

The Phlatformer is a hobby vacuum- forming machine that quick-melts 10″ square plastic sheets into form-hugging shapes. Originally built for R/C modelers to make identical, lightweight body parts, it has many uses; for example, I plan to form custom holders to display my raygun collection. The kit’s parts and thoughtful extras never skimp on quality, […]

Zen Toolworks CNC 12×12 Complete Package

Jake Spurlock — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 03:16:31 +0000

Make Kit Reviews

Zen Toolworks

Zen Toolworks CNC 12×12 Complete Package

$1,082

Company Website Buy now!

Complexity: 4
Components: 5
Documentation: 5
Community: 5
Completeness: 5

TAGS: CNC, Tools, Workshop

Reviewed: November 12th, 2011

Make Kit Reviews

Zen Toolworks

Zen Toolworks CNC 12×12 Complete Package

$1,082

Company Website Buy now!

Complexity: 4
Components: 5
Documentation: 5
Community: 5
Completeness: 5

TAGS: CNC, Tools, Workshop

Reviewed:

This awesome three-axis CNC kit is a must-have for small projects such as circuit boards, engraving, or machining various small parts out of plastic or wood. Everything you need is included, except for a few hand tools, a vise, and a computer with a parallel port for running the software. The documentation contains clearly described steps […]

FireBall V90 CNC Router Kit

Jake Spurlock — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:23:02 +0000

Make Kit Reviews

Probotix

FireBall V90 CNC Router Kit

$990 with additional 3-Axis ProboStep Motor/Driver Kit

Company Website Buy now!

Complexity: 2
Components: 5
Documentation: 3
Community: 4
Completeness: 3

TAGS: CNC, Tools, Workshop

Reviewed: October 26th, 2011

Make Kit Reviews

Probotix

FireBall V90 CNC Router Kit

$990 with additional 3-Axis ProboStep Motor/Driver Kit

Company Website Buy now!

Complexity: 2
Components: 5
Documentation: 3
Community: 4
Completeness: 3

TAGS: CNC, Tools, Workshop

Reviewed:

Although the V90 is an entry-level machine, it’s decidedly not a toy. The way it functions is complicated — a platform carries the tool holder; a larger gantry moves the tool back and forth; the frame positions the gantry; and it’s all driven by a motor turning the screw interposed between two shafts. Indeed, this […]

3-Axis Monster Mill Stepper Motor Driver Kit

Jake Spurlock — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:03:57 +0000

Make Kit Reviews

Probotix

3-Axis Monster Mill Stepper Motor Driver Kit

$350 (as tested $624)

Company Website Buy now!

Complexity: 4
Components: 4
Documentation: 5
Community: 3
Completeness: 4

TAGS: CNC, Tools, Workshop

Reviewed:

Make Kit Reviews

Probotix

3-Axis Monster Mill Stepper Motor Driver Kit

$350 (as tested $624)

Company Website Buy now!

Complexity: 4
Components: 4
Documentation: 5
Community: 3
Completeness: 4

TAGS: CNC, Tools, Workshop

Reviewed:

Probotix offers several kits that add computer numeric control (CNC) to the X2 Mini Mill. I used their 3-Axis Monster Mill Stepper Motor Driver kit, plus a Ready-to-Run bundle that includes some additional components required to get it operational. For the computer itself, I used my old ThinkPad, but if your laptop is too new […]

MicroRax

Jake Spurlock — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:33:39 +0000

Make Kit Reviews

Twintec Inc

MicroRax

Starter Kit $80; Pro Kit $180

Company Website Buy now!

Complexity: 5
Components: 5
Documentation:
Community: 3
Completeness: 5

TAGS: building system, microrax, Tools, Workshop

Reviewed:

Make Kit Reviews

Twintec Inc

MicroRax

Starter Kit $80; Pro Kit $180

Company Website Buy now!

Complexity: 5
Components: 5
Documentation:
Community: 3
Completeness: 5

TAGS: building system, microrax, Tools, Workshop

Reviewed:

Need miniature aluminum girders for your next robot? Look no further than the lightweight MicroRAX building system. Parts include 10mm aluminum beams and braces, plates, brackets, and other connectors. They’ve even developed adapter plates to attach your ’RAX to VEX and NXT constructs, allowing you to merge multiple building media. The beams are sold in 900mm […]