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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 1999
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    Glen Iris, Vic, Australia
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    Default ?Decent quality A4 CNC Milling Machine for $300 etching/scratching small projects?

    Had an itch today for etching timber and scratching poly-carb on A4 sized projects.

    Any change of a decent quality and easy to use CNC milling machine for around $300AU.

    tia
    Thanks,
    Barry G. Sumpter
    May Yesterdays Tears Quench the Thirst for Tomorrows Revenge

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    May 2011
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    Murray Bridge SA
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by barrysumpter View Post
    Any change of a decent quality and easy to use CNC milling machine for around $300AU.
    Barry, I doubt very much that such a machine exists. You can have easy to use and cheap, in the one sentence, but decent quality won't come into it. Even so a "cheap" machine such as https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CNC-Rout...torefresh=true
    will possibly require assembly, not sure about the driver program, if one comes with it.
    It's a steep learning curve, DAMHIKT!!!!!
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  4. #3
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    Default

    Almost twice the price of what I wanted to spend:

    K40 Laser Engraver
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OuGBUAiyzQ

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/40W-CO2-...53.m1438.l2649

    With upgrades three times as much
    https://www.reddit.com/r/lasercuttin...ly_about_half/

    Could Anyone with any experience with the K40 tell me how you went?

    tia

    ==========

    Never mind. Out of my price range. Oh well.
    Thanks,
    Barry G. Sumpter
    May Yesterdays Tears Quench the Thirst for Tomorrows Revenge

  5. #4
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    Default

    You ain't even gonna get passable​ for $300, not a hope of anything decent quality.

  6. #5
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    May 2019
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    I bought a kit, but before buying I priced up what it would cost to buy parts only for a small unit and design my own.

    Roughly $1,000 for anything decent.

    You might find something in your range as a teensy tiny one but software will be poor quality and I'd never trust the electronics.
    A decent electronic control boards is going to run you $100 minimum, and that's before hardware.

    For what you want (etching, presumably with a laser) at your price range I'd consider a second hand open source based 3d printer, such as a prusa i3 or Creality Ender 3d
    Rip out the print head and replace it with a laser.

    Not for the faint hearted and you won't get spindles attached easily.

  7. #6
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    Jul 1999
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    Glen Iris, Vic, Australia
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    Default

    I'm over it now as its out of my price range.

    Just curious if anyone would consider this as a starting point instead?
    i.e. getting a better controller board etc.


    https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/sydn...ved/1186320609

    tia
    Thanks,
    Barry G. Sumpter
    May Yesterdays Tears Quench the Thirst for Tomorrows Revenge

  8. #7
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge SA
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    Installation and use need professional knowledge, please make sure you know how to assemble and use before purchase!!!
    This is a direct copy of their sales pitch.
    I wouldn't buy it, as I don't have professional knowledge of this sort of thing. I could bolt it together no problems, but the electrics, that's black magic to me!!!
    I've got a 6040 here, bought it as an upgraded unit, was shown how to run it, then forgot and haven't worked out how to run it, yet.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  9. #8
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    Aug 2008
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    The less you pay, the more likely you'll have to go fiddling with it.

    When you pay for a more premium product, you're not just paying for the quality of the stuff in it, but for the extra time that went into building it and making sure it actually does everything "out of the box".

    If you know what you're doing and are happy to fiddle with stuff, you can get away with things like that, if you don't, pay the extra. You'll spend more than the cost difference in time trying to work out what to do with it anyway.

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