How big of a CNC can I afford?

[CptanPanic]

Hello,
I am a hobbyist woodworker that is also a engineer so the thought of making a CNC machine has always appealed to me. Ideally I want to make a 4'x8' one, but fear that this is more than I can afford. I probably have $600 to spend and can build everything myself. So not including a computer or software what is the biggest one I can afford?
Thanks,
CP

[wcarrothers1]

I'd say you could not build much on 600 bucks. My power supply and controller was near 1000 I think how ever there are cheeper systems then using gecko drives and such.. (camtronics supply setup).. Motors for a 4x8 would cost nearly 600 by them self I'd say....

b.

[yukonho]

For $600 you are going to build yourself a hobby sized CNC machine like Joe's machine.
Colin

[jcc3inc]

Sir,

Assuming you will need to spend maybe $1200 and will use it in your business, does it substantially help you produce your products? This could justify the added expense! Ideally you should be able to earn a profit by using the machine. Or, looking at another way, how long will it take for you to pay it off once you have the machine?

If it is just a toy/hobby, maybe it is harder to justify.

Regards,
Jack C.

[CptanPanic]

Assuming I start with the HobbyCNC 200oz/in package, how big of a CNC can this power?
CP

[ger21]

Roughly 30x48.

As was mentioned, look at Joes. See this thread about the cost.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33365

[Rance]

CP, I'm sure I'm gonna catch crap for this but here it is any way...

Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 221
Says "not much".


Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 7,894
Says "Not a 4'x8', but a 30"x48"... yes".


Careful who you listen to (including me). I've yet to finish any machine but have tinkered a lot. Some folks have loads of $$$ and it aparently is just paper to them.

It sounds like you have decent abilities so I say go for it. You'd be surprised of what you could do with a 30x48 machine. There's lots of opinions here and lots of help too if you ask. What do you plan on using it for? This determines a lot.

HobbyCNC 200oz/in? That's a fine place to start. If money is a factor, work backwards from there and see what you come up with. Oh, you're already doing that. Answer the above question and keep asking more.

Rance

PS: Guys, please give this guy a break. He's only got 3 posts.

[guido_kp]

you can get pretty close. i went with the hobby cnc 200 oz setup -230$. then i spent ~ 70$ on the components to build the linear powersupply. you need a router also...the hitachi 2.25 hp vari speed is great for the money 120$. that leaves you 180$ to get the leadscrews, leadnuts, bearings, gas pipe, aluminum angle, and the wood to build it. it will be close, and you probably wont have enough to get nice leadscrews (larger diam, multistart, etc) or antibacklash nuts but thats stuff you can always upgrade down the road. mines a 22x44.

[wcarrothers1]

Gees rance

You hardly have a few more posts then I.... Course if I think back orignaly I was wcarrothers and became wcarrothers1 when I had log in problems. So perhaps I was here before oct. But I think it was more like Feb 2005 Hardly a month less then your join ..hehe

And if you looked into it... You would understand that I have built a 4x8 and CNC'd my round pole mill (sure you could look up plenty of pics posted on the site...). So I'd say I've done more then most, contributed plenty and deserve to voice my opinion..

Also if you check my 4x8 I did a few things different on the cheep that turned out very successfull.

He said he wanted a 4x8. And sounded like he was looking for confirmations that it was to much. That is what I tried to do.

b.

[wcarrothers1]

Incase it helps....

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26768
is a link to one of my pic threads on my complete machine.

Pics might give you some ideas on things that can be done cheeper then others and end up with a nice machine..

b.