Thread: New to CNC

Comments in this thread apply -
https://www.woodworkforums.com/f170/ebay-cnc-machines-193517

What sort of things do you want to do with it?

Thanks. I am following that thread.

Usage is making wood clock faces, clock gears and parts, Carved? panels
and anything else that may sell.

Some alloy and brass work such as makers marks.

Getting the hang of CNC can really burn up a lot of effort, but it's easier if you have a good level of computer skills and you can methodically fault-find.

Master Splinter

I have had Electronics for 24 years.
Computing for 20 Years.
Retired for 10+ years.

I have built and programmed hardware control modules.

Hardest part is 3d graphics.
It seems to be flying over my head.
Will get the hang of it I hope.
Working through Artcam tutorials.

What I need is opinions on the hardware I am thinking about.
It is smaller than I wish but the price is more affordable

Well, with your experience base, and your desire for something larger, you're a good candidate to DIY one with a larger cutting area, especially if you don't really want to do heavy duty aluminium milling in it.

There are a number of DIY build plans around, although it's not too tricky to simply come up with a design. (I personally like the look of this one - http://www.grunblau.com/CNCBMO.htm )

have you seen this machine. http://xyz-cnc.com/product/plywood-router-kit/

they seem quite good, bloke in vic makes them in his backyard.

Jack

Seems a bit pricey for what you get, though - for that sort of money I'd be wanting supported linear rails not cold rolled steel.

Hi David,

You are in the same position I was 12 months ago, trying to work out what to buy. Here we are 12 months on and I am just putting the finishing touches on my own CNC.

What I have learned in that time is nothing is going to be a cheap as you expect, and nothing cheap is good.

Apart from crappy electronics which wind up needing to be replaced (so you spend twice as much) the cheap Chinese gear flexes like crazy. If you want inaccurate, inconsistent and a poor finish let the CNC flex.

Also looking at the machine you linked to, it looks too small to do the job, it would barely do plastic.

Paul