?Decent quality A4 CNC Milling Machine for $300 etching/scratching small projects?

[barrysumpter]

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

[KBs PensNmore]

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-Router-Mini-Desktop-Laser-Engraving-Machine-Wood-PCB-Engraver-Milling-2418/312581545097?hash=item48c74fdc89&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&enc=AQADAAAC8FjVrDbVsZ8oH%2F8PNHtt9VX4%2Fw7FZcmMuqsX8uaFEduVjm8KeAjFwQZGLf1PAQziCsFF1JcetY%2BfUSOB%2FE%2BS7zQ%2FsrCd3Ig7W5OLenEdg3dj%2BsgLtPF1xafXFwqCCN%2F%2FtnZIfFDiezA7DEIyE5Bv6EzuS%2FAmcA1E4JcYNBH7EV3d3anpLESkrXUmFyEa5PtYoxU8ERJys95CF8djJNeOzmxERwMWZKJPtd3vB3TQjplHkrNFzABSfyZv10O4p7lTCOMSxIKSk95IUEQXvGmgaILtq9MIO8SdMgLYAND5d%2F%2BTPHAKfRrY7ZYMq65YpfuD4J0xEWojOQ6omeFI%2BN6CC1KkQQaseamr%2BI%2FZyiIVZnSPUicdiPjhauNepE298ZZuGdE6cYH90BugV2trAn5lGjilDIid5FxZ0HWeABT1zpyVK1uyrXIby7o8JgCYozzMVMAYLaK6Ef7ovP6RPUFWPaanDNFQS2Y5qdE13MF64ASaBAKCXYzP3W7AdLQFBp9q%2FZKwpOrhsIEaAr4l6EJyG%2BzvGe28F%2BGNgDQoNi3%2FrCST8lBI1dQRmXg1gBlfg9xHCs6V7ZxrBE6atYpAk7Vq1KGeVR9RMASZ%2BpxriGt2SVMpCTJ5llugfcbtZxvIma3MXLEh998mqW2OSEFhQW21KnahO10AZTjtn6B6%2FPwooH7ssCrU6y8CN%2FhNz0fUsUbfyvIFACfMujVaFT725G7S8jSJiJIQB5sOd%2BA3AK2Da9oRRH9OHC1B%2BalQwFek9aZPC22JDqxfQhTErYU8veuC3gLXOiUWshF6zasbgnQkL5IBUcvHTdBmlPmzLzCa9f0Yvg%2BVbNB4TJ0yd3lsOl1hgAYixGlmYwT21ebb6fVna559IoiFszR%2BUfDws%2FGkJClMk5NibhA3AS1A4dnLjpEdBn0h7H7JzaK%2BLp5s%2B602oIE4z2C35sisyPWsSjiuDwr83W6AtevD%2BK4uNDplDheBta2jhufy8osrVEVlgvSgdoVA&checksum=3125815450975a123981f58549a4b65c8b2ce48e5830&frcectupt=true&autorefresh=true
will possibly require assembly, not sure about the driver program, if one comes with it.
It's a steep learning curve, DAMHIKT!!!!!
Kryn

[barrysumpter]

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-USB-Port-Laser-Engraving-Engraver-Cutter-Woodworking-300x200mm-Carving/152644368992?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

With upgrades three times as much
https://www.reddit.com/r/lasercutting/comments/4rbdwz/how_a_k40_laser_cutter_is_really_only_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.

[elanjacobs]

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

[BoneInspector]

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.

[barrysumpter]

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/sydney-city/miscellaneous-goods/500mw-65cmx50cm-diy-laser-engraving-cnc-carving-engraver-carved/1186320609

tia

[KBs PensNmore]

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

[elanjacobs]

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.