What project to build?

[analogman]

Hey all, just looking at CNC router options for my small company that builds custom musical instrument amps. Wondering if it is worth it. Here is what I would like to do with the machine:

(1) drill PCB holes repeatability of .008"
(2) possibly mill PCBs
(3) router logos
(4) cut 3/4" pine and baltic birch for cases (approx 3' x 3')
(5) router cut .080 5052 aluminum for the electronics cases

I have research, and see that the fireball would be great for (1), (2) and (3) and cost about $1k

I have also looked at the mech mate and and pretty sure it will handle (4) and possibly (5). For about $4k

I also looked at mike beck and buildyourowncnc, but unsure if I can get the accuracy required for the PCBs.

Any suggestions of other machines? Are my expectations out to lunch?

thanks!

[Cartierusm]

Depends what your actual budget is and if you want to build your own or buy one?

[Gir]

It will probably be advantageous to build two machines like you pointed out. To get the accuracy needed on a 3'x3' machine for milling PCB's could prove expensive.

[analogman]

Hey thanks Gir. Yeah, seems like size * accuracy = price in the DIY CNC world. Here are some others I am looking at - any comments w.r.t. my application?

Data Cut
http://www.data-cut.com/Index.html

Solsylva
http://www.solsylva.com/

Machine Tool Camp
http://www.machinetoolcamp.com/

Joescnc
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/joescnc/

[martinw]

Dear analogman,

Gir is, IMVHO, absolutely right.

The PCB stuff is quite different from the metal and wood machining.

There are a whole load of companies that will make your PCBs at very low cost.

From personal experience, I would humbly suggest that it is , now, impossible to produce a two layer board with silkscreens and solder-resists in-house at an economical cost compared to the on-line prototype people. That goes even for a single prototype board. Those people are really good, and as fast as you are prepared to pay for.

Best wishes,

Martin