I am looking to build my first machine. I am a hobbyist with limited shop space. I am considering the Joe2006 or Lionclaw because both will ship as a kit. While I can cut and drill myself, I figure CNC'ed parts will make for a more accurate machine.

However, both kits are too large for me. I only need about a 18x24x5 cutting envelope. I simply don't have the shop space for a machine that won't fit on a regular counter top. I saw the Ratcliff thread, and that seems to be a good size, but not a kit (it doesn't HAVE to come as a pre-cut kit, I just would prefer that).

What plans or kits would people recommend for a smaller (but not circuit board tiny) machine?

I've recently re-started my router build based on a model I saw on e-bay about 10 months ago. I looked around for a set of prints but could not find any. So I made a complete design of it myself. The cutting area is 15"x12"x2". Not huge, but just big enough for a bench I already own.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/jgclark70/jc-router.gif
This is a picture of the 3D model that I created.

Like you, I don't have a lot of room for a larger machine. And since this is just a hobby, I don't need a machine that travles at 80ipm. (but I bet that would be nice)

I'm cutting out all of the MDF with a radial arm saw, laying out all of the hole with a small height gauge and putting in the holes on a small drill press. It would be nice to have all of the pieces CNC cut. I'm sure it would go a lot faster. But it's a great experience doing it this way. Perhaps when this one is done, I will use it to create a second one. (I already have some ideas in mind)

At any rate, good luck with.

PS. I just went back and read my post, and at no time did I come close to anything that resembled an answer to your question. So, make up your own design. Or scale down one of the many on this site.

I've recently re-started my router build based on a model I saw on e-bay about 10 months ago. I looked around for a set of prints but could not find any. So I made a complete design of it myself. The cutting area is 15"x12"x2". Not huge, but just big enough for a bench I already own.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/jgclark70/jc-router.gif
This is a picture of the 3D model that I created.

Like you, I don't have a lot of room for a larger machine. And since this is just a hobby, I don't need a machine that travles at 80ipm. (but I bet that would be nice)

I'm cutting out all of the MDF with a radial arm saw, laying out all of the hole with a small height gauge and putting in the holes on a small drill press. It would be nice to have all of the pieces CNC cut. I'm sure it would go a lot faster. But it's a great experience doing it this way. Perhaps when this one is done, I will use it to create a second one. (I already have some ideas in mind)

At any rate, good luck with.

PS. I just went back and read my post, and at no time did I come close to anything that resembled an answer to your question. So, make up your own design. Or scale down one of the many on this site.


Thanks, you are probably right. The thing to do is to modify a design. Who knows, maybe Lionclaw will send me a kit with a 20" long table instead of 60"? 20x26 would be perfect. If not, I'll just have to commit to doing something myself. Just wish I had a CNC to cut the parts out from rather than trying to wrestle sheets of MDF on my portable table saw.:)

Thanks, you are probably right. The thing to do is to modify a design. Who knows, maybe Lionclaw will send me a kit with a 20" long table instead of 60"? 20x26 would be perfect. If not, I'll just have to commit to doing something myself. Just wish I had a CNC to cut the parts out from rather than trying to wrestle sheets of MDF on my portable table saw.:)

I'm making my second machine about this size. Shooting for 28 x 20 cut size. Still gonna require a pretty big footprint for the machine. I think the ideal "home shop" size would be just large enough to cut a med/lrg cabinet door.