Hi all - been reading up on CNC for some time and would like to get my feet wet, soon. Wondered if any of you would offer opinions on using the 13x13 fixed gantry machine as a stepping off point. Mostly I just want to play around, perhaps make some wooden kids toys, etc... to start out. It would also be nice to be able to fabricate some parts out of polycarbonate. Plus I figured making some thing to distract the kids would help with my arguments on the home front to spend money on this :)

Obviously there are a lot of limitations with a system like this, and ultimately I'd want to move on to something bigger and better like Steele's 25x37 design or a Joe's. In the somewhere down the road dreams, I'd like to have something capable of building guitars with...

Since I'm a complete newbie at this, is the time learning on this basic 13x13 design worth it? Anyone have any luck making it slightly larger to be more useful for cutting parts for a second machine?

Thanks!
Steve

Being a rank newbie myself, I am not in the best position to be making suggestions, but I am familiar with the Solsylva plans and machines.

The 13"x13" uses unsupported rails and you would not want to scale that up to a larger bed because of this.

However, David (Solsylva designer) has 2 other machines that can be built with marginal effort, but have a much greater cutting capacity. The beauty of his machines is that they don't require a cnc to cut the parts; most are stock hardware store items. I myself am building the large belt driven table by hand.

If you haven't purchased the plans, I can recommend them whole-heartedly. They are very well thought out. I have tried redesigning several aspects of the machine I am building, only to discover that David had already made the best design decision. He is also very accessable by email with any questions.

That being said, have you seen the www.buildyourcnc.com design? Not the most accurate and adjustable machine, but a VERY quick build. There are video's on the site of the entire build.

Good Luck, and post lotsa pics :)

Thanks for the input - I did already purchase the plans and I'd much rather build the dual leadscrew/belt drive 25x37 table, but there's the home front to deal with - I'm doing the internal debate on if it's better to get something small and temporary up (where I can reuse the steppers and drivers on the next one) or have to wait out getting to spend more over time to build a better first machine...

I've watched through all the buildyourowncnc vids - lots of good material there, but I'd rather use plans for accuracy. Actually, I already bugged David Steele re. the little 13x13 table - he is very helpful, and was very prompt in replying and quite right when he advised me against trying to get more out of the little table than his design was for... ;-)

I suppose I should learn patience and just keep grabbing one or two parts at a time until I get get something built that will actually be useful.