CNC Router on Ebay

[mg75]

Hello.

Is this a decent CNC router for cabinet making using 3/4 birch plywood?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Complete-TurnKey...QQcmdZViewItem

And, how does it compare to a ShopBot? ShopSabre?


Thanks.

MG

[braidmeister]

I don't think it compares to either...It looks like the guy just made it in his garage from off the shelf parts, which is okay...good for him. What this means to you is: A) I didn't see a warranty offered or mentioned B) Who helps you when something goes wrong? C) No CAD/CAM software included D) No training included E) No usergroup for this machine available if you need technical advice for a specific project...etc etc. Not to mention, the machine is an odd size. Do you want to cut every 4X8' sheet in half just to get it on the CNC???

Things to think about...

-B

[mg75]

That is a great answer...
I don't mind cutting the plywood sheets to 4x4 size. I don't have much space. I currently use Adobe Illustrator and can use its DXF/DWG export features.
I am worried more about the cutting ability compared to the commercial available CNC routers.

The warranty/tech support issue is a good question to raise with the seller.

One thing is that the eBay CNC is about $4000 less than a commercial router.

Thanks for the help.

mg.

Originally Posted by braidmeister I don't think it compares to either...It looks like the guy just made it in his garage from off the shelf parts, which is okay...good for him. What this means to you is: A) I didn't see a warranty offered or mentioned B) Who helps you when something goes wrong? C) No CAD/CAM software included D) No training included E) No usergroup for this machine available if you need technical advice for a specific project...etc etc. Not to mention, the machine is an odd size. Do you want to cut every 4X8' sheet in half just to get it on the CNC??? Things to think about... -B

[braidmeister]

I think that it looks a little weak in it's design & is not as beefy as a commercial router. You could spend the same amount for a used 4X4' ShopBot, Techno etc if you kept your eyes peeled. Then you would be getting a real machine with a proven track record...and you would gain lots of friends that could help you out if you needed it.

I bought commercial from the beginning & never regretted spending the initial money. What I thought was a hobby, quickly turned into a full time job, and I don't regret a second of it. My advice to you would be to call up companies that make CNC routers and ask to go see one near you in operation. Talk to the operator, and find out the real deal. This is not something that you just want to throw money at in hopes that you make out ok...Do lots of research and look around. When it feels right, go for it. There is a LOT more to the equation than the initial layout of cash. Do yourself a service by researching.

I would classify that machine as a hobby-duty machine. It is not suited for commercial duty. A commercial machine can always make you money...or be used for a hobby.

-B

[drmosh]

a few additional thoughts...

1) a 4x4 machine is probably too small for production cabinet making, which has already been pointed out, but would be great to learn on
2) you could absolutely find a "commercial" machine used in this size and price range, but they do not pop up every day - even on ebay or exfactory. if you are willing to trade time for money then you might consider waiting a few months to see if something else becomes available but be patient and when you see it you'd better be ready to buy. everyone and their brother is looking to buy an ezRouter, ShopSabre or ShopBot for $4k - get in line!!!
3) the "no warranty" point was a great one - but i'm not sure in the end how impactful it will be because i dont think you're going to find a new 4x4 machine in that price range, so you'll probably end up buying used, and those will be lacking a warranty too.

in regard to commercial vs. hobby, it is very amusing to hear people discuss machines this way, because it's been my experience that their machines are usually called "hobbyist" machines by the other folks that own machines twice their price. apparently the word "hobby" rolls downhill

i dont own this machine, and i dont know anyone who does, but if it does what it says and performs like it looks then its a pretty good value for $4k. recognize that there are alot of big, unqualified "ifs" in there, but that's why you have to do your own due-diligence like braidmeister suggests. my guess though is that if it was anything short of a complete failure you could probably resell it for close what you purchased it for. if it *wasnt* a complete failure, then you'd have made a good choice!

this is entirely my own opinion, but i think the most important thing to consider is that the people that contribute to threads like this one are the exceptions to the rule of cnc businesses. they are very very talented, had a decent amount of luck and have consistently made good business decisions over several years. if you visit some of their "home" forums (like ShopBot) and spend a fair amount of time monitoring those boards you'll see that the road to cnc businesses are littered with others who were not so successful. the ugly fact is that you are FAR more likely to never get out of hobby stage, and then if you do you are FAR more likely to not be successful commercially. that fact applies to me as equally as it does to you so recognize i'm not trying to bash you - we're all in this together. it's easy to be seduced into buying more than you need (by whatever measure of "more" you want to use). my advice is dont do it - whatever you buy and wherever you buy it from keep it cheap, buy only what you need, and worry about bigger/better/faster later. that's what profits are for!

[Zumba]

That machine looks like garbage.

The unsupported linear rails will flex like wet noodles, somewhere in the range of .050-.075".

Aluminum extrusion is NOT the proper material to use for any router at any budget. Extrusion costs MORE than thick steel tube... so the only reason to use it is if the builder has no real metalworking skills.

[higgrobot]

Zumba, I'd hate to post my own machine if people are just going to look at it and form an oppinion like yours?!! I'm using 30mm unsupported rail over 27.5" and now that i know it's garbage i'll just throw it all in the bin and use what you are using on your machine, what are you using on your machine??

[dertsap]

4 grand for that???

i think there is just a lil bit of a mark up for profit

[Jason Marsha]

Originally Posted by dertsap 4 grand for that??? i think there is just a lil bit of a mark up for profit

I agree completely.


Quite a few machines use aluminium extrusion for construction. One does not need to weld or grind or prime and then paint in order to get a good finish as is needed with a steel machine. If the rails were thicker it would make a decent machine.

Jason

[mg75]

Thanks for scaring me into buying a ShopBot or EZ-Router or something else...

I just don't know what to purchase???
Something cheap? Heavy Duty?

Again... all I am going to be cutting is 3/4 Baltic Birch Plywood. Space is a limitation, so a 5x5 machine will be ideal.

Also... I need to cut miters and angles. What is the best way? Table Saw? Angled router bits? Tilting table?

Thanks.

mg

[braidmeister]

What are you going to be cutting? Speaker enclosures? What's the product?

If you tell us what you are looking to do with the machine and how much use you anticipate it getting, we can push you in the right direction.

I don't agree that you should buy the machine that you listed. There's not much there, and being new to the CNC game, you'll want every bit of help that you can get to learn.

-B

[mg75]

Originally Posted by braidmeister What are you going to be cutting? Speaker enclosures? What's the product? If you tell us what you are looking to do with the machine and how much use you anticipate it getting, we can push you in the right direction. I don't agree that you should buy the machine that you listed. There's not much there, and being new to the CNC game, you'll want every bit of help that you can get to learn. -B

YES. I am going to be cutting panels for PA speaker cabinets.
Material will be mainly 5x5 sheets of 3/4" Baltic Birch Plywood.
I will need to cut some miter cuts (different angles).
The machine will not have to run 24/7. Maybe 3 hours a day.

THANKS!