CNC machines?

[zorn]

Anyone here ever built or bought and used a cnc machine?
i want to learn more about them but i dont know what to search for.
i know two types: engravers and millers. i dont know if there are other types.

i want one that i could make plasic statues from. before i was thinking of getting a 3d printer but they arent very accurate and print very slow.
what should i search for?

[andy_con]

You just want to machine plastic no metals?

[andy_con]

There are many options for just plastic.

If you want to machine metal you have a few less options and they cost more

[andy_con]

wood and plastics, I wouldn't use this anywhere near metal

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-UPDATE...item43c451cf0b

metal

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Denford-CN...item3f31d0f271

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sieg-Syil-...item35d2f813e6


if any uk members want a awesome cnc mill ATC

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Denford-Tr...item3cddd38b3c

[andy_con]

for that really you'd want a mill with 4th axis, theres no cheap way of doing it with a 4th axis involved

so that rules the first one out

[swamidog]

i built a 60w cnc laser cutter, but i don't think that's what you're looking for.

Anyone here ever built or bought and used a cnc machine?
i want to learn more about them but i dont know what to search for.
i know two types: engravers and millers. i dont know if there are other types.

i want one that i could make plasic statues from. before i was thinking of getting a 3d printer but they arent very accurate and print very slow.
what should i search for?

[andy_con]

you probably wont find a 4th axis cnc machine because you add the 4th axis your self.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/cnc-4th-ax...item23373b830b

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CNC-Engrav...item3cdd79e623

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CNC-Engrav...item3cda64389f

[Galvonaut]

If you want some fine work printing, I saw some loud speaker pieces printed on a 3D plastic powder printer (like an ink-jet but with glue). It was very fine quality.

There's a bit of a description here.

Keith

[andy_con]

a basic cnc will be accurate to 0.01mm

[andy_con]

a decent cnc mill will machine plastic in seconds to 0.01mm accuracy.

but as with anything the only limitation will be your budget