Total newb with 10k

[dandy7200]

Hello all, been a long time lurker here and now think I am finally ready to step into the CNC realm. As the title says I have 10k to buy everything I need to get started. I wish I had the time to build it myself but, I don't see that happening anytime soon so the realization that just plunking down the cash will get me where I want to be sooner has finally hit.

My business is 99% plastic cutting. Sheet goods from 3/16" to 1/2" thicknesses in Acrylic, PVC, HDPE etc. Of that, 80% of what I cut are perfect circles while the other 20% is perfectly squaring sheets for tank assembly. Currently I do all machining on a router table, drill press and table saw with a wall full of jigs.

Work samples:











As you can see, most of what I do is 2.5D with occasional 3D ramping for flanges.

I really need to get everything, table, software, router etc, delivered for 10k. I am also looking for something that could cut pretty much out of the box with just some basic assembly required. I would also like to see something that is easy to learn with software wise. I'm not completely inept at computer interfaces but I predict a good learning curve so I want all the help from the get go that I can.

I have room for about a 48x48 table in my shop and would at the very least require a 48x24 table. Upgradeable machine features would be nice as well. Since the material I cut is rather soft and not too thick I think I can start with a router instead of a spindle. A digitizing probe is a feature I definitely want, I don't know if this is more related to the CAM software or the machine itself in terms of functionality.

Right now I have been looking at Shopbot, EZrouter and K2 as my best options in this price range although I admit I am not totally sure what I am looking for right now.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

[Switcher]

How about Vcarve for the software, & EZrouter for the cnc?

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[Switcher]

I think ezrouter runs the Mach3 control, If you got that, maybe you could make your own probe?

Link:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22837

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[dandy7200]

The EZ comes with BobCAD-CAM, would this be an acceptable program to start with? I was actually leaning towards the EZ since they build and test the computer on the machine. Time is at a super premium for me right now, so I feel more comfortable just buying a probe. EZ's probe is $500 and seems like a decent price? Are all probes created equal?

[Pete in Arizona]

Try these guys:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=130145937825

Pete

[bp092]

http://www.shopbottools.com

[drmosh]

If you want a router that is almost guaranteed to work, in that price range, it almost has to be ezRouter - OR buy a used machine that you can physically see run and cut with your own eyes.

My advice is to fly out to ezRouter in texas with some bits, some acrylic and some DXF files and have them cut your designs right in front of you on one of their machines. If it works then buy it on the spot and have it shipped home. That is as close as you're going to get to a bullet-proof transaction. It's easy to spend money, but it's not so easy to get a machine in YOUR shop cutting YOUR stuff the way you desperately need it to. Go see the ezRouter folks and if their machine fits the bill then buy it and put it to work.

[mjs79]

nice job on the skimmer ,CA/kalk reactors ?the skimmer looks like a beefed up euro reef nice work .you should try to make a zeovit reactor would be easy .i can send you some pics of mine and any other info you may need .thanks you just made the wait to get my cnc to get going seem that much longer.
but as a reefer i have learned good things come to those who wait and dont rush .
best of luck with your projects!
cheers
mike

[dandy7200]

drmosh, ez is pretty much where I have decided I will go. I was told there is a machine in NC that is not too terribly far away and I may contact the owner to see if I can get a tour and cut some plastics on his machine. I might just fly to TX as well.

Mike, yep I have been building this stuff for the last year or so in my local market and getting ready to expand nationally and looking to CNC to help up my production to a realistic scale. Hopefully by this time next year I will be able to switch my day job to just a part time gig.