CNC Router Recommendations?

[gibson123]

Hi, I have a project and need to get a reasonably priced CNC router with a working size of 48"x48". I need to work in wood and aluminum. I want to use the aspire and photovcarve software. I have experience with cad (architect) but not running my own cnc, so i want it to be easy to use. I'd be open to lightly used, or new. Does anyone have any recommendations? I'm looking at the Shopbot, and I've seen a bunch of machines from China.

[Rcnewcomb]

Its a wonderful time to get into CNC -- especially with Vectric software -- anyone remember life before Vectric?

We bought a Shopbot 48x48 in 2005. Its a great machine, especially for someone new to CNC, and an outstanding forum.

There are other great machines out there too. I'm sure others will chime in.

[cabnet636]

i have a 4x4 brand new for sale and ordered a new 4x8 with a deep z so i will not be using the 4x4 machine, it has a 12" z and is fitted for a lathe, the machine is at camaster in calhoun ga where they just finished the machine for me.

heck of a nice machine, i will teach you how to use it as well, machine is new with warrantry.

jim mcgrew
803 518 2074

or joey at camaster 706 602 2500

www.camaster.com

[rej]

whatever you do, go with a maker that has a good forum.
that is the reason i got a shopbot.
i almost bought an ezrouter, i'm sure they are good machines.
but, having the bot family all around me is worth more than saving a few hundred dollars here or there. just look at all the shark pro guys trying to get in touch with nextwave, the maker. it is so frustrating trying to determine what is going wrong and the company not responding.
i see where the camaster site has a good forum.
so take it from someone who freaks out in when there is a problem. you need that "family".

[falkenblake]

I just read what you were saying about next wave and you are right on the money. Still waiting for answers on my problem

whatever you do, go with a maker that has a good forum.
that is the reason i got a shopbot.
i almost bought an ezrouter, i'm sure they are good machines.
but, having the bot family all around me is worth more than saving a few hundred dollars here or there. just look at all the shark pro guys trying to get in touch with nextwave, the maker. it is so frustrating trying to determine what is going wrong and the company not responding.
i see where the camaster site has a good forum.
so take it from someone who freaks out in when there is a problem. you need that "family".

[cabnet636]

yep we camhead at www.camheads.org !!

jim

[Gc3]

Jim,

$$$... how much


Gene Crain
www.plantasymaderas.com

[moto633]

Gibson,
I have a Chinese router, it works and I use it a lot but if I knew then what I know now I would do as the others suggest and look for something that has good support. Saving in the begining will cost you later.....

Keep us posted!

Nick

[Posthill]

I purchased a used Gorrila CNC machine a few months back. Although the price was right for me at the time, I have to agree with the "if I knew then what I know now" statement. I would have gone with something else.

Rej has given wise advice. Look at the support network around the machine builder. Are they in it just to sell machines or are they there in full to help you succeed along the way.

JP

[bgriggs]

So far no one has suggested building a router but I would highly recommend the joescnc 4x4 Hybrid. http://joescnc.com. I recently build a rack and pinion version of the machine. Total cost for me was about $2400. Several people have built the machin in under one month start to finish. The rack and pinion version ends up with a 62"x49" cutting area.

http://www.youtube.com/user/bgriggstwcn ... Lmu6u036kw.

Bill

[gibson123]

Thanks Folks for all the great suggestions, this forum is a great resource. I found another "entry level" machine, just curious if anyone has used these "Zenbot" machines:

http://www.zenbotcnc.com/merchant2/merc ... estSellers

I also looked at K2CNC where the manufacturer is more local to me:
http://www.k2cnc.com/

I think I can reduce my working area down to around 24"x24" or even a bit smaller. I am hearing that everyone is stressing the importance of support w/ the hardware. I know I want to use the Vectic software, it is very impressive.

Thanks,

[cabnet636]

since this thread was started CAMaster developed and now produces the stinger, i have one and like my other camasters it is the same industrial quality, lathe ready i believe they want 5495 for it and it is well worth it.

jim

http://www.camaster.com/

[gravirozo]

reading zenbot website...

about 1500 with shipping the machine 12x18
all three axis driven by belt... no rack n pinion, no screws...

as i know the craftsman carvewright also driven by belts...
that machine has a pretty neat software... like a miniature aspire...
easy to use, for carvewright you can buy real cheap models...

i just wrote carvewright for example... i dont know if anyone has beltdriven router here... after you buy, you might can not return and buy another one...

of the posted link, i guessing you want to buy something real minimal...

look at for this ebay store... for this money even you get a spindle with er11 collet..
also it has no belts...

viktor

[gibson123]

Thanks to you both for the suggestions. I'm checking out the CarveWright, that might fit the bill for me to get my feet wet. My intention is to learn CNC better, create small projects, and work my up to a bigger format in a year or so. I am doing highly detailed relief images from bitmaps.

I did not realize these were belt driven.

Viktor, did you intend to post a link to an Ebay store?

Thanks, Keith

[gravirozo]

keith

if you were looked for zenboth, i was guessing you looking for low cost machine... i don't know that store, however i bought from hongkong some bits, collets diamond wheel...

some of those stuff appearing in us stores... so i think you can't get really wrong with them...
all above offer is okay... however before someone has bussiness hard to invest 20-50K for hobby, or learningcurves..
i don't know people from here from my computer... some of able to go in a store just wipe his creditcard and shoppig for hundreds of K... some of not..

nick, (moto633) has chinese router, i have too... in my router german ballscrews, quality rails... the elecronic is works very okay... i have watercooled spindle...
so you won't get really wrong...

viktor