Newbie- Pilot Pro vs. Joe's 4x4 Hybrid? Need some suggestions/insight...

[Bassthumper]

Howdy!!

Been lurking the forums for a little while and decided it was about time for my first post....

First off all, I just want to say hello to everyone. This seems like a very informative place with a lot of nice, helpful, and insightful people.

So let's get this ball rolling:

I'm interested in building my own CNC machine, and for my first build I'm going to attempt to go with a tried and true design. I've done a little bit of research, and I've seen a lot of praise for Joe's CNC designs. According to a lot of you guys, they seem to be very well designed and capable machines for a reasonable cost to build, all things considered.

I've also come upon plans for the Pilot Pro CNCs, but so far I have not seen too much information yeilded in the search results about them.

Anyone have experience comparing the two? the 34 bucks for the Pilot Pro seems a little more inviting than Joe's 100 dollar price tag. No offense to Joe (and I'm sure they are well worth the price of admission), but I have somewhat of a limited disposable income, as I got laid off from my job a couple of months ago and have yet to find another.

That being said, once I do get a job, I fully intend on starting a CNC build, and I just want to weigh my options and get as much research going in as I can in the mean time.

BTW... I would like to build AT LEAST a 4x4 router, so I'm definitely going with the hybrid as opposed to Joe's 2006 model. That being said, I've read that the Pilot Pro plans allow for expansion. So keeping the 4x4 requirement in mind, would anyone have recommendations/comparisons for one vs. the other?

All advice/suggestions are appreciated!

[Hdale85]

Well the Pilot Pro doesn't appear to be anywhere near 4x4. And if you intend to purchase the kit you can build a 4x4 Joe's for quite a bit less then the Pilot Pro kit. You could probably build a 4x8 Joe's with R&P setup for close to the price of the Pilot Pro kit.

By purchasing the Joe's 4x4 plans you are also gaining access to his incredible help forum that has tons of mods and other help to get you going as well as help get what you want out of the 4x4. I've seen people get very good speeds and accuracy with the Joe's 4x4 so I think that's the route I'm going.

[Bassthumper]

Originally Posted by Hdale85 Well the Pilot Pro doesn't appear to be anywhere near 4x4. And if you intend to purchase the kit you can build a 4x4 Joe's for quite a bit less then the Pilot Pro kit. You could probably build a 4x8 Joe's with R&P setup for close to the price of the Pilot Pro kit. By purchasing the Joe's 4x4 plans you are also gaining access to his incredible help forum that has tons of mods and other help to get you going as well as help get what you want out of the 4x4. I've seen people get very good speeds and accuracy with the Joe's 4x4 so I think that's the route I'm going.

I know that the default Pilot Pro seems to be around 2x2, but the website seems to imply that the plans can be easily expanded. I would definitely alter the build to be 4x4 with the Pilot Pro.

As for the PP kit, it looks like they include everything but the computer (even the router is included?) and you just have to build your own table.

Joe's "kit" is simply the wood and plastic parts. You still have to supply motors, electronics, steel, aluminum, etc...

That being said, if you go with the PP kit, you're confined to 2x2.

All in all, it looks like the machines are somewhat comparable in price for what you are getting/building, although Joe's might be a little cheaper to build on average when the 4x4 consideration is made. And like you said, you get access to the forum.

I will probably end up building Joe's hybrid 4x4 when it is all said and done, but I may also get the PP plans just for the heck of it.

OTOH, there also seems to be quite a bit more support for Joe's machine. That's definitely a plus.

[Hdale85]

Yeah that's what I was referring to is that between building a complete 4x4 and the Pilot Pro kit you'd spend about the same or less on the 4x4. I think It's been said you can build a standard 4x4 for around 2000-2500 depending on what kind of awesome deals you can get.

Also the Pilot Pro requires you to have the ability to machine aluminum where as the Joe's Hybrid just requires you to cut down 8020.

[stoneyreef]

Stretching the Joes to 4X8 now is incredibly simple. We have a fully active support forum and we have talent that spans almost all disciplines. So while you get support for the hybrid building you also get help with CAD, CAM, ideas, models etc etc.

You are looking at $2500 to $3000 when you are all done and finished building the machine depending on the choices you make for electronics and such.

One of the members has created a fully comprehensive Bill of materials and everything is well documented for online and local sources to get your materials.