Looking For CNC To Match A Few Different Scenarios

[carpenma]

Hi everyone, just joined. Recently I became interested in CNC machines (Mills particularly) and as a result I decided to look around the web to see if I could find a good, affordable one (~$1,500). Unfortunately, I have had little luck. I was hoping that someone with more experience in this field could help me out.

What Brand/Model of CNC mill would I be able to get with the following:

3 Axis
At least 2' x 2' milling area (X & Y)
About $1,500

If there are any with those specs for that price out there at all. Thank you very much for your time.

[escott76]

A mill, of the bed or knee type isn't going to be found in those kind of travels for that kind of price.
Travels large and square like that are usually found in something more like a router, or a gantry or bridge mill. Even a router is going to be tight in $1500.
What are you trying to cut, and what kind of cuts are you planning to make? Simpler 2D shapes, or complex 3D contours? What kind of material, foam, aluminum, stainless steel? The harder the material the more you need in a spindle, and that will cost a lot.
Desktop mills (just the mill, no electrics or computer) are generally going to have significantly smaller travels than listed. Just for reference, the bridgeport and machining center I use at work don't hit 24"x24", cost a lot more than $1500 each, and won't fit in the average house.

[carpenma]

Ok, the hardest material I would probably be cutting is sheet aluminum. I don't suppose a plasma or lasercutter of that size would work and be significantly cheaper? Thank you very much for your reply

-Matt

[escott76]

Originally Posted by carpenma Ok, the hardest material I would probably be cutting is sheet aluminum. I don't suppose a plasma or lasercutter of that size would work and be significantly cheaper? Thank you very much for your reply -Matt

Laser cutter at all for under $1500? Not likely. Just the power source and head of a plasma are going to be a significant step towards your limit. You *might* be able to put together a router for that kind of money, depending on your ability to scrounge, fabrication ability and tools, and existing parts. There are some pretty good builds detailed on the appropriate site section.
I know 2'x2' doesn't sound like a lot, but it's a long distance to keep tolerances of a couple of thou over, and that costs.

[carpenma]

Hmm, well I suppose I could step out of my price box a little here. I would much rather do that than have to scrounge for things. I've had my dose of that for this year working on my 3D printer. Thanks for your input I'll look around.

[HimyKabibble]

Originally Posted by carpenma Hi everyone, just joined. Recently I became interested in CNC machines (Mills particularly) and as a result I decided to look around the web to see if I could find a good, affordable one (~$1,500). Unfortunately, I have had little luck. I was hoping that someone with more experience in this field could help me out. What Brand/Model of CNC mill would I be able to get with the following: 3 Axis At least 2' x 2' milling area (X & Y) About $1,500 If there are any with those specs for that price out there at all. Thank you very much for your time.

$1500 is not even remotely realistic for a real milling machine with a 2' x 2' work envelope. It won't even come close to getting you a manual machine, much less a 3-axis CNC machine. You're talking a VERY large mill to do that. My 2500 pound Bridgeport clone doesn't even come close - it's work envelope is 14" x 34", and I now have close to $10K in it. $1500 will *maybe* get you a small table-top machine with no more than about a 6" x 10" envelope, and a very low-end CNC conversion.

Regards,
Ray L.

[carpenma]

I didn't say it had to be a "real milling machine" a desktop will do me fine. Like this one $2,100 with all the fixings and it would work just fine for what I'll be using it for.

-Matt

[HimyKabibble]

Originally Posted by carpenma I didn't say it had to be a "real milling machine" a desktop will do me fine. Like this one $2,100 with all the fixings and it would work just fine for what I'll be using it for. -Matt

Well, when your OP refers to your interest in "Mills particularly", and you asked what Brand/Model of "CNC mill" you should get, with a "2'x2' milling area" I guess I misinterpreted in thinking you were looking for a milling machine. The Digirout is a router, not a milling machine. There's a BIG difference. It may do aluminum, but it will not do it very well, or with terribly high accuracy. It is intended for routing wood, and is probably not stiff enough to hold an accuracy of more than several thou at best, nor will it be capable of taking more than very shallow cuts in aluminum. If that suits your needs, fine. But that is not the question you asked....

Regards,
Ray L.

[lumberjack_jeff]

If I needed a 2x2 router, I'd look into Joe's plans.

I needed 4x8 so I'm building a MechMate.

I don't anticipate much aluminum, and certainly nothing harder than that.