Member postings for EDMGuru

I agree that the term cheap is relative to what parts you already have in fact if you have all the parts to build this then technically your machine is free! I already had some of the parts and the rest were either second hand or the cheapest available at the time (the D C geared motor was from a child’s toy).

The reference to using code was in response to other people online getting frustrated over how an EDM machine actually works so they end up going down the mystical code route which is unnecessary for a DIY build but ultimately is the way to go as manufacturers of EDM machines do. This is because if you know exactly where the z axis is at any given time you don’t have to wait for a voltage feedback control to work so you can have incredibly fast z axis travel speeds without fear of the electrode hitting the work piece, which is what’s required for the flushing “pump” action when using deep thin web electrodes etc.

Finally I use the name Guru online mainly as a wind up just to further frustrate those who can’t figure out how these machines work when all the time the answer, to me at least, is obvious but then again I’ve always been known for thinking outside of the box and someone had to be the first to discover this type of machine build and, on a quick note, my latest stepper motor EDM machine with anti arc circuit, when finished, so far looks like it could be a real game changer to DIY builds. Also I have compiled over 45 years of working on these machines, mainly as a business, a lot of technical information, which you won’t find anywhere online, for different electrode and work piece material at different Amp, pulse frequency and duty factor settings for spark gap sizes, metal removal rates, electrode wear, surface finish etc so maybe the name Guru is true?

Actually a commercial grade EDM machine can be easy and cheap to build, the problem is there is a misconception that there’s some sort of manufacturer’s design secret to these machines which makes people overcomplicate their home build designs usually by using some sort of code to control the actual burn. There's no need to buy a book or anything like that, the electronics are simple and mainly use "off the shelf" parts and the resulting machine performs, in my opinion, better than any DIY build I've ever seen online.

It might be worth you having a look at the video that I posted on YouTube a few days ago in response to other people having design problems, showing a simple machine that I built a few years ago, which I think you will agree proves my point

https://youtu.be/I6EgTPVLrwU.