Looking to get into CNC

[KANG]

Hey all, I've been inspired by some of the things CNC can do and in particularly I've been interested in some of the desktop CNCs and was wondering where a good place to start is. I looked at some of the cheaper alternatives like X-carve, Shapeoko and am also looking at the CNC 6040 and X4 series. I'm looking at a budget roughly $1k-$1500 price range. And plan on doing various things from acrylic to aluminum up to 1/4-1/2" thickness (i.e. creating optical breadboards/plates/laser modules/mounts etc). http://www.omiocnc.com/x6-1500c-usb-...engraver.html/ This one struck my eye in particular and would like to know your thoughts!

All the best,

[kitatit]

Hi Theo,

My answer here is not to give you an answer straight out or discourage you but help you in the decision process.

Many people have a romantic notion of being able to machine their own parts and who can blame them, it's a very exciting proposition! I'm one of them.

The main issues with machining are about its physics. E.g. Is the machine big enough to machine the parts, got enough power to drive the milling cutters and heavy/rigid enough to not vibrate/chatter (giving a crap surface finish, damage the machine or be dangerous). Also the considerable cost of tooling.



Next decide, Manual or CNC.

Then CAD/CAM software.


That machine you linked to, I'd call a CNC router. Those example pics on their website, I think are pretty honest. I would say 1/2" aluminum is a stretch though (many many passes doing small cuts). Plastics? No problem. Acrylic laser cuts extremely well and is pretty cheap to get cut too.

If by the X4 series you mean the Syil X4, that's getting in the ball park. I looked at the Syil machines 3-4years ago. Read up on www.practicalmachinists.com , www.cnczone.com. There are threads on there about people's experiences. Some were good, some absolutely terrible. They are still around, making machines and hopefully have improved on their quality and service. It's very important that you have a good quality service agent/dealer.

You get what you pay for couldn't apply more when it comes to machining. For most of us, we have to accept one or more trade offs due to budget, space,available power, noise and mess considerations.

For most people wanting to machine laser related components I'd recomend a used vertical milling machine. Luckily in the US, there are many around(just research how to pick one that's not too worn out.

As far as CNC goes. The person who has really impressed me and spent the money and time to learn how to use it is
Andy con.

In a nut shell, a more realistic budget for maching the parts for laser related stuff would be $10000. Don't forget the vice clamps and endless tooling can cost more than the machine.

The machine that mixedgas just picked up would be good.

The machine you linked to would be good for making panels for a projector but not really for making bigger more "3D" parts. Not to say it's impossible but think of 2D parts over 1/4" aluminum will probably be pushing it.

It's sort of a case of "pick your battle" I chose to go used manual machine that was heavy duty enough to do the type of parts I need. I'll buy a CNC one day but for now I'm choosing to prototype on my machine and then pay to have mature designs in biger volumes CNcd by someone else.

So hopefully that gives you a start with some points of reference, and a few other blokes with chime in with some good advice related to machining laser parts too.

Good luck and enjoy the journey.
Kit

[andy_con]

I 100% agree with the above, spot on.

I wont repeat what he said, that's a router, don't go near it.

my machine thoughts -

(not strictly true) a cnc without an automatic tool changer is just a toy
atc means you can go walk away and have some lunch whilst your part gets made.

hass make some pretty awesome machines and they do some which are single phase.

the hass mini mill range they do in single phase and they aren't to big, but they are going to set you back £15-20 gbp. which is a pretty good price for what you get and were my garage height taller, id probably own one.

next id consider a tormach, lots of reviews on youtube and they always get good reviews. they do a good range of sizes these days. my only comment would be the 1100 needs a better spindle motor, the 770 has a good spindle motor


I have a denford machine and you can get some in the us.
example novamill, built like a brick shit house for its size. this is expensive. when these pop up on ebay uk, they regularly sell for £1000 gbp
thry are made from cast iron not aluminium

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Denford-Nova...oAAOSw-zxWoZQ1


oh then theres the cost of tooling, you will spend as much on tooling as you did the machine - fact