So far I am in about $3,500+ area.... however, that includes tools such as a brand new drill press, a router, a set of drill bits, a set of router bits, a tapping set and just a bunch of other things. On top of that that also includes a brand new $700 computer for designing and controlling the machine. So, as for machine only.... I am probably in $2,000 area but that's just because I went with stuff like high quality 5 start screws, dumpstercnc, G540 and so on and on. I wasn't shooting for a super economy diy cnc, but something that would not rip a giant hole in the pocket and was duable.
Seeing how this project has built up a nice range of tools, a new computer and most of all.... *drum roll* a cnc! it's not so bad.