Milling machine VF-1

Volksfräse VF-1 by Uncle Phil

Reading time approx. 6 minutes

Milling machines are expensive, heavy, and so large that they won’t fit into a hobby basement. You can accept that – or you can do what YouTuber Uncle Phil did. He independently developed a fully functional CNC milling machine. And not only that: He created the complete construction plans and design drawings and made them available online for you to replicate. If you’re now wondering what a “Volksfräse” actually is, what it’s used for, and why this CNC mill could enrich your hobby workshop – then you should definitely keep reading!

Contents

• What is a milling machine?
• What is a CNC mill?
• Uncle Phil makes it practical
• The gantry-style Volksfräse
• Precision guidance matters
• Mill, print, build
• Aluminum set for the Volksfräse
• FAQ

What is a milling machine?

Milling machines are quite an “old” invention. As early as 1818, the first machines were developed in which a rotating tool – the cutter – machines a stationary workpiece. The original milling machines had to be operated by hand. And for quite a long time. It wasn’t until the 1970s that computer-controlled milling machines began their triumph. The computer control also gave today’s extremely widespread CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) milling machines their name.

What is a CNC mill?

In conventional milling machines, a human operator must adjust the individual axes to create the desired geometry of the workpiece. In CNC mills, this is handled by computer control. The machine’s control unit calculates and regulates each axis to ensure continuous control of the relative movement between tool and workpiece. To ensure the machine always knows the exact position of the tool, coordinate systems are used – you may remember them from school.

A simple CNC milling machine has three axes:
• X-axis: the longitudinal axis
• Y-axis: the transverse axis
• Z-axis: the vertical axis

By combining coordinate points of all three axes, the milling tool moves to the programmed position and performs material removal there. To achieve high precision, CNC axes use their own control loops with absolute or incremental measuring systems. These systems measure the axis positions and report them to the control unit, which compares target and actual positions and makes corrections accordingly.

Uncle Phil makes it practical

CNC milling machines are extremely practical tools. If you are familiar with G-code (the “language” of CNC machines) and CAD programs, you can manufacture almost anything from aluminum, steel, stainless steel, or even wood. CNC mills can mill, drill, cut threads, create grooves, and much more. The problem: industrial-quality machines often weigh several tons, cost the equivalent of several annual salaries, and require a large workshop space.

However, Uncle Phil proves that powerful milling work is also possible in the hobby sector with his self-built CNC mill. He and his team developed a DIY CNC milling machine over several months. It can be built affordably (under €1000 if desired), is variable in size, and has enough spindle power to machine aluminum – or plastics, or wood. Even steel has already been successfully machined!

The gantry-style Volksfräse
Uncle Phil designed his DIY CNC machine as a gantry mill. In this design, the tool is guided on a crossbeam between two machine columns – forming the characteristic “portal” structure. In his design, the table with the workpiece remains fixed while movement is executed by the axes. Gantry mills are ideal for quickly machining larger surfaces such as aluminum sheets. They also offer high positioning accuracy and reduced vibration, which improves surface quality.

Precision guidance matters

For reliable axis movement, proper guide systems are essential. Common options include:

1. Flat guides: Steel rails mounted to the base structure with rolling elements. Extremely stable but oversized for DIY use.
2. Hydrostatic guides: Use pressurized lubricant films to eliminate friction. Technically impressive but unnecessary and too expensive for hobbyists.
3. Linear guides: Rails with ball carriages that enable fast and highly precise positioning. Affordable, low-maintenance, and ideal for DIY CNC machines.

Uncle Phil chose linear guides for his machine.

Mill, print, build

Much of Uncle Phil’s CNC machine consists of components he milled himself or produced with a 3D printer. You can watch the entire process on YouTube – replication is explicitly encouraged.

The machine includes many milled aluminum parts. As Uncle Phil humorously puts it: “Since I was clever enough to build a mill from parts that are made with a mill, I’m milling the milling parts of the mill with a mill.”

Other components are 3D-printed to achieve specific geometries.

For stability, industrial CNC machines often use cast-iron bases. Since Uncle Phil didn’t have a foundry nearby, he opted for 60 mm aluminum profiles for the base frame. These profiles are available in various sizes and offer high flexibility for axis dimensions.

No milling machine or 3D printer yet? Uncle Phil has partnered with companies that provide pre-sorted components so you can get started more easily.

Aluminum set for the Volksfräse

All raw aluminum sheets and plates required for Uncle Phil’s mill are available in our shop. To save you the effort of searching for the right parts, we’ve bundled all necessary aluminum components into a convenient set:

Set of aluminum plates and brackets for the Volksfräse

High-quality, precision-milled on both sides and delivered with protective film.

Or browse our complete range of aluminum plates.

And now: Ready, set… let the chips fly!

FAQ about the Volksfräse VF1