I could see a few uses for it-an improved CNC pendant, and the jog wheel for a transport controller in my music studio. It also reminded me of the sophisticated frequency-tuning dials found on high-end amateur radio transceivers (such as Collins transceivers), which I had seen way back in the 1960s. It looked like it was built for industrial use. Recently, however, I came across what I considered to be an exquisite rotary encoder assembly. Not long after building the CNC mill, I also built such a pendant, which I have been using for about 10 years. Most CNC milling machine operators use what is called a “pendant” for manual adjustments.

So, closely monitoring the position of the spindle while adjusting it manually is difficult when using the mouse/keyboard and computer monitor. However, the computer-and its associated screen, keyboard and so forth-are located a few feet away from the CNC machine, for practical reasons. You can perform these manual functions using the mouse and keyboard, in conjunction with the computer’s LCD monitor.

I use the Mach3 CNC controller program that runs on a PC.

Those programs tell the machine where to move, how fast, and what path to follow. While the CNC machine is basically computer controlled, you have to maneuver the “spindle” (the actual router motor) into a “home” position manually, and also perform various manual operations in between running the various “G-Code” programs. It uses computerized controls and rotating, multi-point cutting tools, and is suitable for machining metal, plastic, glass and wood.

In case any of you are unfamiliar with it, CNC milling is a machining process that progressively removes material from a workpiece, to produce a custom-designed part or product. Here it is milling out the front panel for the project that was the subject of my July column. The homemade CNC router that I built about 10 years ago.

Mach 3 cnc software tutorial