Rat Rig Mill
Introducing the Rat Rig Mill - an all-metal, compact, and sturdy desktop CNC machine designed to meet the demands of hobbyists, makers and fabricators.
ELECTRONICS OPTIONS
Each bundle includes all the necessary power supplies, wiring & connectors for a complete and well thought out wiring layout.
Beginner Bundle
Optimised to work mostly with soft materials:
- Softer woods
- MDF
- Acrylics
- PVC
- Foams
- Can take occasional light jobs with aluminium
Tool: Router
- Connects directly to the mains, it doesn’t interface with the remaining machine electronics
- 6 speed settings (but no variable speed while in operation)
Controller:
- Rat Rig Rodent
- Features integrated stepper motor drivers
Compatible Firmware:
- FluidNC
- GrblHAL
Beginner Bundle includes:
- 230V Rat Rig Router tool and CNC machined aluminum mount
- Rodent CNC controller(TMC2160) and Wifi Antenna
- LDO High Torque Stepper motors (345oz-in)
- 250Watt Fanless PSU
- Wiring & connectors
Bill of materials:
The beginner bundle assembled inside the Compact Electronics enclosure
Intermediate Bundle
Optimised for use with a broad range of materials with high precision:
- Woods
- MDF
- Acrylics
- PVC
- Foams
- Aluminium
- Brass
- Copper
- Can take occasional light jobs with steel
Tool: 2.2Kw full size 80mm Spindle
- Includes a VFD unit (Variable Frequency Drive), which allows you to program different rotation speeds while in operation
- High precision tool
- Water cooling system prevents the motor from overheating even after prolonged and intensive use
- Includes ER20 Collet set
Controller:
- Rat Rig Rodent
- Features integrated stepper motor drivers
Compatible Firmware:
- FluidNC
- GrblHAL
Intermediate Bundle includes:
- Full size 2.2kw 80mm GPenny Bullet Spindle
- Huanyang VFD
- Water cooling unit
- Two CNC machined aluminum spindle mounts
- LDO High Torque Stepper motors (345oz-in)
- 350watt PSU
- Contactor for safe E-Stop
- All wiring and connectors
Bill of materials:
The intermediate bundle assembled inside the Universal Electronics enclosure
Advanced Bundle
Optimised for heavy-duty work with hard materials and high precision:
- Woods
- MDF
- Acrylics
- PVC
- Foams
- Aluminium
- Brass
- Copper
- Can take occasional light jobs with steel
Tool: 2.2Kw full size 80mm Spindle
- Includes a VFD unit (Variable Frequency Drive), which allows you to program different rotation speeds while in operation
- High precision tool
- Water cooling system prevents the motor from overheating even after prolonged and intensive use
- Includes ER20 Collet set
Controller:
- AXBB-E
- Features external 48V Drivers allowing you to push the stepper motors to their limit
- Requires a more complex wiring setup with 4 different power supplies at 3 different voltages
Compatible Software:
- UC-CNC
Advanced Bundle includes:
- Full size 2.2kw 80mm GPenny Bullet Spindle
- Huanyang VFD
- Water cooling unit
- Two CNC machined aluminum spindle mounts
- CNCdrive AXBB-E Controller
- LDO High Torque Stepper motors (345oz-in)
- External OMC DM542T Motor drivers
- Two 320W 48V PSU for motors
- 5V and 24V PSU's
- Contactor for safe E-Stop
- All wiring and connectors
Bill of materials:
The advanced bundle assembled inside the Universal Electronics enclosure
Product walkthrough
For a more detailed look check the video below.
All Metal Construction
All metal construction, no plastic on structural or kinematic components.
40 series extrusion-based frame
The 40 series extrusion based frame, M8 fasteners, and the full size XY plates provide a sturdy and stable platform for your work, allowing you to cut aluminium and steel. The double MGN15 rails with double carriages and TR8x8 lead screw transmission on the X and Y axes ensure smooth and precise movement. On the Z-axis, the TR8x4 lead screw, along with the holding torque of the stepper motor, prevents the axis from dropping when unpowered.
Bellows
Bellows protect moving parts from dust and debris, keeping the machine precise and reliable over time.
FULL-SIZE SPINDLE and milled aluminium Spindle mount
If you are a heavy-duty user, you can choose the Advanced Electronics Bundle which features a Full size 2.2KW / 80mm spindle and VFD, for a no compromises experience. For lighter work, you can choose the basic electronics bundle for a sub 1000€ fully capable mill. The super rigid Rat Rig Spindle mount, made from aluminum and available in various diameters, opens the possibility of working with a wide range of tools and materials with ease and efficiency.
Inductive Endstops
High Torque Stepper Motors
Multiple accessories:
Fixture Plate
Mill Enclosure
Mill Workbench
Wide range of electronics and tools
Select your tool - Router x Spindle
Select your electronics enclosure - Compact x Universal
Select your control board - Rodent x AXBB-E
Cuttable Materials
Metals: Aluminium, Steel, Brass, Copper
Plastics: All plastics suitable for CNC machining
Composites: Carbon fiber, MDF, particle board, etc
Machine Specifications:
Work Area X/Y/Z: 360mm x 160mm x 116mm (z-clearance 173mm)Operational dimensions X/Y/Z: 1095mm x 715mm x 717mm
Linear Rails:
X 2x MGN15 with double carriages
Y 2x MGN15 with double carriages
Z 2x MGN15 with double carriages
Transmission:
X Leadscrew - TR8x8
Y Leadscrew - TR8x8
Z Leadscrew - TR8x4
Linear movement precision:
X - 0.0025mm
Y - 0.0025mm
Z - 0.0025mm
Build Guide
An on-line step-by-step build manual with detailed images, diagrams and instructions is available here.CAD Models
Rat Rig Mill - Beginner with Compact CNC Electronics Enclosure
Rat Rig Mill - Intermediate with Universal CNC Electronics Enclosure
Rat Rig Mill - Advanced with Universal CNC Electronics Enclosure
BILL OF MATERIALS
Community Support
Join our communities and connect with other Rat Rig CNC Machine users:
Facebook community
Discord community
Acknowledgements
It's through the collaborative spirit and shared knowledge of the open-source community that innovations like ours are possible. Our design is a testament to the cumulative progress made by many, and we are proud to stand on the shoulders of giants. Regarding the Mills in specific, we'd like to acknowledge the invaluable contributions made by OpenBuilds and Millennium Machines. We aim to celebrate the collective achievement of the open-source community and continue contributing to this vibrant ecosystem.
