Thread: starting out

A CNC Router?
What do you want to do?
How much do you want to spend?

Originally Posted by Sterob

A CNC Router?
What do you want to do?
How much do you want to spend?

what else is there........
no idea at present, you tell me what I could do, the wifes laser cutter is limited to 3mm MDF
little as possible but then if I get interested dont want to be upgrading and selling off superseded machines either.

Its like a blank canvas not sure but exploring SLOWLY whats, whys, and can do's etc

Originally Posted by Tonto

what else is there........
no idea at present, you tell me what I could do, the wifes laser cutter is limited to 3mm MDF
little as possible but then if I get interested dont want to be upgrading and selling off superseded machines either.

Its like a blank canvas not sure but exploring SLOWLY whats, whys, and can do's etc

You got the correct idea SLOWLY is the best way to go. When you decide what your needs are then i would be happy to help if i can

The answer to the original question is very much "how long is a piece of string?"; if you don't know what you want to do, we can't tell you what to get.

As I see it, there are 2 primary "limits": machine size and spindle power, both of which are ultimately governed by cost. If you can give us an idea of the kind of projects you want to make and a (very) rough budget, we can start making recommendations.

thanks guys going to put this on hold, setting up 1st workshop after everything being in 20' container for 16 odd years, its like christmas all over. Then you realise how many hammers, sets of sockets, screwdrivers you have since collected.
Health & safety is also very important and starting my dust extraction, so once thats all nearing completion then I'll look further.


Erick2 thanks for your 'advice'. pm sent.

For your Laser: Go on-line and see if anyone has ever adapted your same model laser to use new software. You MAY be able to upgrade the usage IF other software packages will work. Also, check out what file extensions your system uses or will accept. Some of the more common software design packages will spit out a variety of files of various file extensions and some have post processors that will run your files on specific manufacturers systems.

Try to find software - other than what came with your Chinese system that will still operate it and you may be much happier with its operation.