Overwhelmed by the choices in designs

[angels one]

I have been a member for a short time and have read many thread and tried to make some choices in the different builds. I like the Joe hybrid Model but am still undecided and am tired of reading; I want to start working on a build! Are there any comparisons on the different builds? Good vs bad on the designs. I am on a very low budget but want to build it right the first time.

As for my needs I would like to build something that I can work with some aluminum nothing crazy maybe the most is make small parts like the ones made here www.castcnc.com for my other hobbies, paintball guns, RC cars, and making a flight sim cockpit. I have a grizzly mini mill with R8 end mill conversion that I purchased years ago and only used once and never really touched again. I am a pure newbie and really don’t like posting without first doing some research but am at a lost of direction. Any suggestions???

[ger21]

"Low Budget" and "Build it Right" seldom go hand in hand.

If you want to make parts for RC cars and Paintball guns, you'd probably be better off with a small mill, rather than a 4x4 router.

As far as comparisons go, I'm not aware of any, but what are you comparing the Hybrid to?

[Cybin]

I'm kinda of in the same boat. I've read through all the designs and here is what I've found

JGRO: Looks nice and easy to build. Steel or MDF construction. Many builds and mods. Weak point would be the rails.

MechMate: Super heavy duty all steel construction. Rail material would be cheap although the rail grinding process is not well documented. The plans are free and access to the forums, although you need to buy some laser cut parts at around $450 US.

Joe's 2006: Why bother the design was scrapped for a newer design.

Joes Hybrid 4x4: Don't bother with the lead screw design, everyone seems to be ditching it for the Rack and Pinion. Plans and access to the forums are $100, you get a Bill of Materials and plans to build it. Many mods including spindles, cast parts and sizes. Construction is lighter in case you have to break it down and move it.

There are a bunch more options out there, I concentrated on the well documented and modified units. I'm planning on going with Joe's Hybrid 4x4 with RP. I'm going to save up $2000, get the plans, order the electronics, get them working and then build the base and gantry.

Anyway, thats my 2 cents.

Good Luck,
-C