Thread: Starting out

Nope, the problem with the cheap ones is the unsatisfactory performance.
The Kits are probably your best bet to get value for money with an assurance that you will eventually end up with a working machine at the end of it.
If you use plans and try to utilise your own kit, expect to triple your time investment and you still need a reasonable investment.

3010 and 3018 will need electronic replacement in Aus as they are generally very poor quality. So budget a few more $ for that.

If you have some componentry try a x-carve or see if the ox kit has open source plans, a Bill of Materials and might be able to utilise your own stuff to keep price down.

I hope to have my own machine (an x-carve) delivered to the North Shore over the next couple of months. You are welcome to have a look at it to see what you think if I can keep it around nearby .
Unit living precludes my use of the equipment for 12 months at least. I am half interested in selling the machine instead of letting it lie around, but I have so many more projects I want to run through the machine I am not sure I could bring myself to if it makes it to Sydney.

I’d be very interested in having a look at it. PM me when you are settled on the beautiful North Shore

Will do, probably be a couple of months before I can get organised. PM me in April if I've not responded to you.