I need some advice. I am considering purchasing a small CNC router to make wood signs and carvings on cabinet doors. Due to space limitations, I have narrowed my choices to no larger than 48" x48" working area. I am new to the CNC world and am finding it somewhat overwhelming. Looking at the CNC routers on the market today reminds me of when the personal computers came out 30 years ago. Then we had a few large business computers such as IBM and many small computer companies that evolved from hobbies. I find many similarities in todays CNC router market.

I have talked to several people who are using CNC routers and must say that these are the most helpful people who are willing to spend time in discussing the merits of their machines. As one individual said "when you purchase one of these machines you are joining a brotherhood. We need each other because that is what keeps us up and running."

I have looked at the websites of several manufacturers but have yet to see any of the machines in real life. The manufacturers that I have had contact with are Dynacnc, Camaster, ShopSabre, Techno, Vortech, K2, Vision Engravers, and am planning to contact Warthog and Larken.

My criteria for a machine is that 1. It is made of non-propriotary parts so that I can repair the machine even if the manufacturer / supplier is no longer in business. 2. The company has good support so that I don't feel abandoned when the initial problems occur. 3. There is a good user network for secondary support.

I would appreciate any feedback anyone could provide on the good points and bad points of your machine and how you made your selection.

Thanks

Dennis
nwacexpo@hotmail.com

Hi,

You should definitely check out ShopBot http://www.shopbottools.com/. We own two ShopBots, a 5' x 10' PRTAlpha, and a 4' x4' PRTStandard. We just bought another used 5' x 10' PRTAlpha thats on the way here. We are using our 5 x 10 for production, cutting hardwoods and HDPE (the 4 x 4 is our hobby machine :) ), and are very satisfied. ShopBot is probably the best way to get into CNC, shorter learning curve etc. They have a good online forum at http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/discus.cgi. They're tech support is of the best, as far as I know, they even gave us personal cell phone numbers so we could get them off hours.

I would recommend a PRSAlpha if your going to do production, otherwise the PRSStandard. Also, for software, go to http://www.vectric.com/.

--
Jason

Shopbot also has the 'Buddy'. Prices are going up in January on Shopbot products, and if you are going to get the Vectric Aspire, it's price is going up too. The Aspire software is available from Shopbot as well.

http://www.shopbottools.com/
http://shopbotbuddy.com/

I just bought a used BT48 and it's amazing. Highly recommend the machine and the company.

i spoke with dennis in december and after listening to him reccommended he go with the bot,, the camaster is an industrial quality unit and has a new generation of smaller routers in production, with three heads of machining on a smaller router can you imagine the possibilitys and with a 4rth axis lathe to boot!!

jim

I have been reading the threads about different CNC Routers and, like many other products, it seems to depend on an individual's experience as to the amount of stars a CNC gets. SO I am not too much better off. I have not purchased a CNC yet, but production is calling for it.

An opportunity has come up from a small engraving company that has a 4x8 Warthog about 10 years old(?) with a Porter Cable 3hp router on it. The Router was purchased 3 years ago. The software was upgraded 2 years ago. I don't know enough yet to specifiy much more technical data. I have outsourced to them and it is clear that there strengths are in smaller engraving equipment. To the Owner, the CNC is a profit-eater and takes up too much space. He does not have the experienced staff nor the desire to increase business in that area. They want to sell it soon.

For my Company, I am not ever fond of purchasing used equipment. But I have seen this machine function and I have not seen anything other than operator issues, not equipment. So it is a good candidate as far as used equipment goes.

I have spoken with an experienced rep at a local supplier and he is willing to inspect it for me so that part is good. But he is not an operator.

What can look for and what do I need ask? Can the electrical phase be show stopper and can I shift it if that becomes an issue? I am in San Antonio, Texas and for over 10 years now I have been going to Austin for my CNC outsource while the local shops have slowly joined the CNC club. I am not convinced that I will find the experience here that I need to get everything right. It does need to be moved and set up so what are my contingencies? All indications are that there are long-time users in this forum so I am hoping someone can help me make this purchase. If I don't know, I won't buy it. Thanks