how long did you keep your 1st build before building a 2nd?

[nicanor76]

Just curious on how long did you guys keep your 1st build before deciding on build a 2nd?

I'm nearing the end of my 1st CNC build and definitely learned a lot, things I know now that I wish I knew beforehand so I would've done things differently. I'm already thinking of building a 2nd CNC with better parts and design even before my 1st is finished but will play around the 1st one and probably use that to help build my 2nd one (my own design).

[dertsap]

imediately

i built my first machine to see if it would work the way i would like , immediately gutted the gantry to a new design ,got new electronics , started playing , i come across a bunch of material and decided to build the one ive got now .

it seems a lot of guys use the first machine as the research and developement then get serious

[BackyardWorkshop]

Me too - I just finished mine not a month ago and I'm already on #2

[wcarrothers1]

Well that depends on if you count my first CNC as my round pole mill which I converted to CNC. Then came my 4'x8'.

If you count just my 4x8 as my first router mill then I'm still using it and think I pretty much got it right the first time Although I probably spent more and got more free material then some which made it all possiable.

Soon after all that I got my bridgeport S1 R2V3 CNC Mill.. So technicly I have 3. But the round pole and 4x8 share a common power supply and drives (geckos) so can only have 2 machines gonig at the same time..hehe

b.

[gandalf1]

I just keep upgrading what I have so changed screws from allthread to trapezoidal, spindle and next DRO bars on X & Y. Do attachments such as hot wire cutter count as machine changing?
John.

[dmoore]

I'm certainly glad I build a smaller, MDF unit first, made all my mistakes, learned the software and the "true cost" of CNC first. I made much better decisions when I built my 4'x8', 1200 pound unit the second time round.

I even got $400 out of my old CNC unit (nearly $2000 to build). I'd *highly* recommend anyone who hasn't done CNC and is considering a larger (4'x4' or larger) or expensive ($2000+) to first build one of the smaller Wood/MDF units to start with. If you plan carefully, you can re-use a number of items with the new CNC machine, or if CNC isn't what you though it would be, you usually can resell them - such as:

• Dust collector
• Motors
• Drivers
• Software (Mach3, CAD and/or CAM)
• Power supplies
• CNC "PC"
• Lead Screws/nuts

Just my 2 cents.

[shovelhead3d]

Don't know where to start. My name is Shovelhead3d. I'm a wood worker for 25yrs.
I use autocad for all my layouts.I've been playing with some of the software. Kcam to convert my dxf files I've got a handle on that 2d anyway.
Newbie at cnc. I've been all over the net looking at parts & price. But I don't know what
I need an don't need. I don't have the time or the money to play with. I'd like to build
a cnc to machine 3/4" plywood mdf & hardwoods. x.y.z. Any an all imfo ! thanks

[lovebugjunkie]

Don't know where to start. My name is Shovelhead3d. I'm a wood worker for 25yrs.
I use autocad for all my layouts.I've been playing with some of the software. Kcam to convert my dxf files I've got a handle on that 2d anyway.
Newbie at cnc. I've been all over the net looking at parts & price. But I don't know what
I need an don't need. I don't have the time or the money to play with. I'd like to build
a cnc to machine 3/4" plywood mdf & hardwoods. x.y.z. Any an all imfo ! thanks

In your shoes I would buy Joes 4x4 Hybrid plans for a starting point. So far the people that have built it seem happy. Having a good set of plans will save you $$ in the long run.

[jdell42]

Build an MDF Joe...then build a "super" MDF Joe.. probably look at the 4x4 and use electronics ect.