The cheapest $149 CNC 3018, cut and mill aluminum is now possible with 500 W spindle upgrade

In my previous videos, I used this CNC 3018 Pro to make some aluminum 3D printer parts. As many of you are interested in how I upgraded this $149 CNC to cut aluminum, I am going to make a series of videos to show you everything including the hardware upgrade, firmware configuration, using Fusion 360 CAD for 3D modeling and using Fusion 360 CAM to generate G-code for the CNC.

In this video, we will start with the most important part, upgrading the 500W spindle. You will see the detail process, what hardware and 3D printed models you need for this upgrade. I will also show some aluminum cutting footage so you can expect what you can get after the 500W spindle is installed.


Affiliate Links:

CNC 3018 Pro:
https://ebay.us/hsMbmC
https://amzn.to/3eSFcIe

Comgrow ROBO CNC (higher quality than CNC3018):
https://www.comgrow.com/collections/c...
Use discount code: AuroraTech
MSRP: $259 - $45 (discount code) = $214 (Free sales tax, may save another $20 depends on where you live)

Comgrow Robo CNC review video:
   • Comgrow Robo CNC Review: The best fir...  

Comgrow Robo CNC 500W and 800W spindle upgrade video:
   • 500W or 800W spindle, which one is be...  

Comgrow Robo CNC spindle mount Fusion 360 tutorial:
   • Fusion 360 Tutorial for Beginner 006:...  




500w Spindle:

500w Spindle with DC 110V power supply and mount:
https://amzn.to/3iINO5g ($99 Spindle + Power Supply + Mount + 13 pcs Collet)
https://ebay.us/P69eXv ($70 Spindle + Power Supply + Mount)


End Mill:

Speed Tiger Carbide 2-flute end mill:
https://amzn.to/3kTO8AQ (1/8" $22.5 pack of 5)
https://amzn.to/3eTmFLT (3/16" $30.8 pack of 5)

Cheap High Speed Steel 4-flute end mill:
https://amzn.to/3zxAFm9 (with 8 different diameters)
This set is not work as good as speed tiger carbide, but super cheap and have 8 different Diameter


Polymaker ASA Temperature Resistant Filament: (For 3D printing the Z carriage)
https://amzn.to/3i4PSFi


Other items you may need for this upgrade:

Nema 17 48mm stepper motor:
https://amzn.to/3ePsAkU ($13.99)

M3x35mm Spacer x4:
https://amzn.to/3x6lDlP ($4.49 pack of 20)

Power Cord:
https://ebay.us/dVb3RQ ($3.91)

45mm LM8uu bearings x2:
https://amzn.to/2UKvcd4 ($9.99 pack of 4)

M6*90mm Screws x4:
https://amzn.to/3iFlzEq ($9.46 pack of 10)

M6-10 T-Nuts x4:
https://amzn.to/2WjMDBG ($7.94 pack of 40)

16 gauge wire:
https://amzn.to/3iMvqZe ($6.95 25FT Red +25FT Black)

24v relay x1:
https://amzn.to/3iNGm8K ($8.5 pack of 4) (better deal)
https://amzn.to/2VcgMlW ($6.09 pack of 2)



For enclosure:

2020 Aluminum Extrusion (need 6M to make this 50x42x40 enclosure)
https://amzn.to/3ePt22r ($79.99 10M)

Corner brackets for 2020 extrusion (need 12)
https://amzn.to/3j14yF5 ($26.99 pack of 20)

Magnetic Tape for acrylic door: (Need 12FT, half inch wide)
https://amzn.to/3l10uH8 ($13.99, only need 1 roll as it's 1" wide, you can cut in half if you want to save money)
https://amzn.to/3kTOtn6 ($10.97, need 2 rolls, it's 0.5" wide, ready to use but you need 2 rows)

Acrylic sheet 18x24 1/8" thick"
https://amzn.to/2Wkgjyz ($45.99 pack of 2, you only need one for the enclosure)

LED Light inside the CNC Enclosure:
https://amzn.to/2V8XZbd ($18.49)

MDF (Buy from Home Depot) $6.08 each (need 2)
https://www.homedepot.com/p/3-16-in-2...




Software and Reference:

GRBL reference:
https://github.com/gnea/grbl/wiki/Grb...

UGS(universal gcode sender) download:
https://winder.github.io/ugs_website/...

Fusion 360 download:
https://www.autodesk.com/products/fus...



3D Models:

New Z-Carriage for 52mm 500w Spindle holder:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:371...

500w Spindle fan replacement:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:469...


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