Thinking of building a desktop CNC NOOB

[DAR748]

I have been reading this forum for a long time maybe 2 years off and on.
And it's about time I build something.

Well I have not really set a budget yet but as I always say Low cost is better.
Just getting my feet wet so I don't want to drop 1k on a DIY if I spend that much I may as well add some to it and get a shopbot or other turn-key
Design well easy to build is great in my eyes
Desktop sized I think 12x12 would be great.
And don't think i'll do anything over 1" thick

I was looking at the kits at probotix for 250 and 300
There are just so freakin many diy setups I just don't know where to start.
Mind you I really like the microcarve a-10 but kinda want to build it myself.

So really my questions are
1 What are a few tested designs in the 12x12 area
I know I won't ever do anything larger than 14x18 but would build this size if it's good.

2 Other than my kit, probotix or 1 part at a time from elsewhere what would I be looking at for cost.

BTW I'm in SC if anyone has a DIY design I could check out.
Thanks

[woodbytwo]

Try Solsylva CNC Plans~ Home Page. David has several designs made with mostly home center materials. He has designed them to be inexpensive to build. I think there is one at 13x13 and I believe he is in SC, also.

[CarveOne]

Originally Posted by woodbytwo Try Solsylva CNC Plans~ Home Page. David has several designs made with mostly home center materials. He has designed them to be inexpensive to build. I think there is one at 13x13 and I believe he is in SC, also.

David is in Greenville, NC

CarveOne

[ger21]

It's very unlikely you could build a machine that equals the quality and precision of the Microcarve for anywhere near what he appears to be selling them for.

Just getting my feet wet so I don't want to drop 1k on a DIY if I spend that much I may as well add some to it and get a shopbot or other turn-key

How much do you want to spend? Buying a small machine and electronics package puts you at around $700-$800 + software. It's really hard to spend less than $1000 on any machine.

And a 24x32 shopbot is $7000. That's a big jump from $1000.

[DAR748]

After even more reading and options
I think the best way for me in the smaller size that I think I want.
It would be better for me to go with the Fireball V90 or see what Microcarve size/price I can come up with.

This would take out 99% of the what if.
The way I look at it is, if I build my own. Yes I could save upto $400 but would it work like something that cost $400 more. I really don't think so.
For the most part I plan to do 2D work in 1/4" wood. And some clocks in 3/4" hardwood.
Then try some picture carving of animals and maybe people.

I don't plan to make a biz out of this machine but I do a lot of scroll work and router signs and inlay work by hand. This would save me oh so much time.
Of all the things that I have sold, I only keep around 2% for myself and donate the rest to the church and sending well needs items overseas to our troops. Even trying to donate some of my country artists scroll work to a local radio station Have it signed and auctioned off to help feed the needy.

With that being said, I don't want to piss my wife off too much and spend a lot of money. But I do have right around a $800 area that I could spend and not get in much trouble. I got her a Brother embroidery machine for a early christmas gift. @ $800

[atwooddon]

I can't speak for the Microcarve machines tho they look like very good quality and performance. I do have a Fireball V90 and am pleased with the results. The Fireball is my second CNC machine after building a smaller machine based on the simple CNC machine made with pipe from the Instructables site. I am glad I went thru the effort of building the first machine but will say I am much happier with the V90. It is well thought out and time tested. It is NOT a heavy duty milling machine but it does handle foam, wood, plastic and some very light aluminum machining. The Fireball V90 group on Yahoo is very informative and provides great support.

I am using HobbyCNC steppers and controller which I built (soldered) myself. I ran EMC for a while but migrated to Mach3 after having run both. EMC is basically free, Mach is not but I was happier with Mach. I use CamBam for CAD/CAM and haven't run into anything I can't draw/machine yet.

Don

[eaglezsoar]

Originally Posted by DAR748 After even more reading and options I think the best way for me in the smaller size that I think I want. It would be better for me to go with the Fireball V90 or see what Microcarve size/price I can come up with. This would take out 99% of the what if. The way I look at it is, if I build my own. Yes I could save upto $400 but would it work like something that cost $400 more. I really don't think so. For the most part I plan to do 2D work in 1/4" wood. And some clocks in 3/4" hardwood. Then try some picture carving of animals and maybe people. I don't plan to make a biz out of this machine but I do a lot of scroll work and router signs and inlay work by hand. This would save me oh so much time. Of all the things that I have sold, I only keep around 2% for myself and donate the rest to the church and sending well needs items overseas to our troops. Even trying to donate some of my country artists scroll work to a local radio station Have it signed and auctioned off to help feed the needy. With that being said, I don't want to piss my wife off too much and spend a lot of money. But I do have right around a $800 area that I could spend and not get in much trouble. I got her a Brother embroidery machine for a early christmas gift. @ $800

I have a microcarve machine available at $330 which includes shipping.
You would need to paint the machine and add all of the electronics.
The cutting area is approximately 9x8x3.
Please see this link: machines
Send me a PM if you are interested.

[DAR748]

The smallest table I can do is 8.5x10.5
Unless someone points out something better more low cost I am most likely going with the v90
From what little I can find it looks like it will do what I want.
Unless John has something in the size I am looking for then I like to support the little guy.
And no matter what I only want to buy something made in the good ole USA
Now I gota contact my old boss and see if they have some old software they would let go cheap. Good thing I left on good terms and still talk to them from time to time.