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Thread: CNC Router for Under $2000?
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31st July 2021, 10:55 AM #1
CNC Router for Under $2000?
Hi WWF,
Likely stupid question but was wonder if you can get a half decent CNC router for under $2000?
Total newbie to the topic but was thinking it might be useful to have something in the shop that could handle around 800x800.
All suggestions/ criticism welcome
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31st July 2021 10:55 AM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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31st July 2021, 11:23 AM #2
The Workbee seems to get some decent reviews makerstore.com.au sells the mechanical kit for around $1000 for a 1000 x 1000 table size. Once you add electronics, motors and the other bits and bobs I suspect that it would be a bit more than $2000 though, depending of course on the quality and strenght/torque that you’re getting. I’ve never bought from makerstore so can’t say whether they’re good or not and never used the Workbee though. The reviews do seem to say they’re pretty good but then again there seem to be a lot of people who want to either upgrade them or make them stiffer out there.
How stiff and powered is has more to do with what you want to build with it. I made one 10 years ago with about a 1100 x 600 working area. I use it for guitar building. As a matter of fact its for sale since I just upgraded to a commercial machine. What do you want to build with the cnc?
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31st July 2021, 11:43 AM #3
I am not really sure what I want to make but figured it would come in useful from time to time.
Every birthday (in August) I like to fit the shop out with a new tool.
I typically make furniture of all shapes and sizes.
Just now I am making wardrobes with round door handles. Think the CNC would make the door handles a lot easier to make
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31st July 2021, 12:17 PM #4
Makerstore.com.au looks pretty good.
Think there is a steep learning curve to understand all that is required
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31st July 2021, 01:05 PM #5
There definitely is, all takes a while, especially if you’re not familiar with designing things in CAD. There’s also CNC3D.com that sells cnc parts and kits, they’re located on the Gold Coast I think. I’ve bought from them before without issues.
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31st July 2021, 02:28 PM #6Woodworking mechanic
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Last time I priced a 750 x 1000mm Workbee with all the bells and whistles and a 1.5kW air cooled spindle and VFD, it as around $2800.
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31st July 2021, 06:40 PM #7SENIOR MEMBER
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DIY - maybe
Only if you price your labour at zero
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31st July 2021, 08:59 PM #8
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31st July 2021, 09:04 PM #9
Cnc3d.com looks a lot more expensive than the workbee units from makerstore.com.au
Why would one need a 1.5kw trimmer - that is about double a normal trim router?
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31st July 2021, 09:24 PM #10Senior Member
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I bought a XYZ Carve. Based on Shapeoko.
With a trimmer router it comes in today at $1,820 for the hardware.
You then need bits, software and workbench, dust extraction etc.
You don't need a 1.5kW trimmer, the larger units are spindles. A trimmer works fine, however a spindle is next level re noise and power and runout.
I used a trimmer router for a couple of years no problems, until I wore it out and the runout got pretty bad.
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31st July 2021, 09:52 PM #11SENIOR MEMBER
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Check out Bluecarve cnc. They are made in Melbourne and service is excellent.
Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk
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31st July 2021, 10:54 PM #12
Bit more research suggests the workbee z access limitations (about 30mm) is why it is cheaper.
The Lead CNC, though more expensive, looks a lit more versatile
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1st August 2021, 11:01 PM #13GOLD MEMBER
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I have the workbee and I’m happy with it so far, I’m just getting into it and learning CAD. The limiting factor is the Z clearance as you mentioned. I have the 1.5kw water cooled spindle and it is far quieter than a trim router. Be aware that a CNC runs for far longer than you would normally use a trim router for. I had mine running last weekend from 8:30 am until 5pm both days. By the end of it I was a bit over the noise from the spindle and dust extractor.
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8th August 2021, 08:37 PM #14
Turns out you can configure a Workbee for about $1700.
Ended up with a Lead V3 and smashed through the budget barrier [emoji12]
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8th August 2021, 09:13 PM #15Woodworking mechanic
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Don’t keep us in suspense
What did you end up buying? My tax return comes in this weekLast edited by Lappa; 9th August 2021 at 07:24 PM. Reason: Started another thread
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