Which machine should I look for

[marksnwv]

I would like a cnc machine that I could use for routing wooden signs and other wood projects as well as mill work on plastics and light metals. I am looking for something with a foot print around 2" X 2". what would the group suggest.

I also would like to know if 200 OZ stepper motors are big enough for a machine that will meet the criteria above.

[ger21]

Do you want to build or buy?

[marksnwv]

Depending on the complexity of the machine I would like to build

[Oldmanandhistoy]

Hi,

If you’re asking about steppers then you’re obviously going to build. 200 oz in steppers would work on a machine the size you mention but unfortunately it is not so simple.
First work out what you want to cut then work out what you will build from MDF Aluminium then work out how fast you want to cut and how accurate, then you can workout motor size.

Another question; how much are you willing to spend and what are you tooled up to work with?

John

[Rance]

Originally Posted by marksnwv ...I am looking for something with a foot print around 2" X 2". what would the group suggest.

First thing I'd suggest is to buy a microscope. Two inch by two inch footprint would prolly only get you about an inch by an inch of working space at the most. And 200oz motors themselves are more than 2 inches across. Maybe you're the guy wanting to make a machine to write people's names on tiny grains of rice.

Seriously, give us more info on your requirements and your resources.

[marksnwv]

My apologies. The footprint size shoud read 2 feet by 2 feet not 2 inches by 2 inches and footprint may not be the correct word. I want to be able to have a machine that will allow me to have an active work area of at least 2 feet by 2 feet for working with wood. I want the machine to move at a decent speed. I would like to do some mill work with aluminum such as key chains or parts to build a better CNC machine. Excuse me if the terms are not right. I have very little experience in this field.

[Oldmanandhistoy]

What I would suggest you do is spend some time looking through some of the cnc wood router projects logs. Find a machine that looks like some thing you could build and fits your requirements. Maybe ask the builder a couple of questions.

It is difficult to point you to a particular machine as every build has different working requirements, requires particular skills to build in different materials and depends greatly on your available budget. It is not a simple matter to build a machine that routes and mills (usually two different machines).

Do you have the tools and skills to work with aluminium and budget to suit?

Would your budget allow for quality linear bearings and ball screws?

Like I have said I would look to the project logs and see if any thing there looks like what you are looking for.

Then when you have a better idea of what you want to build come back here if you have questions.

John

[bp092]

Check out Joe's 2006 CNC router. It's totally affordable and while a little bit bigger than that, it's pretty close. Plus he will cut all the parts for you.

[marksnwv]

Thanks John. My brother-in-law has a machine shop and can cut aluminum parts. My budget will be somewhere around $1500.00. I know I want to mainly work with wood: cutting signs, Plaques, Toys, designs in cabinet doors, etc.