Really small CNC Wanted, want to learn about least expensive options

[Herschell]

I am looking to cnc Graphite only. X = 2" y = 2" Z=4" Minimum movements. Minimum of 10k rpm and CAD/CAM with Fusion 360. Since I will be doing graphite only, I will be using <3/8" mills.

I am experienced with Tormach and HAAS. Pretty expensive for what I need.

Anyone have any experience with something small and reasonably priced?

Thank you.

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[awerby]

You could try a Taig mill, which is smaller than the Tormach and less expensive (especially if you get it from me). Graphite is tricky to cut, though. The dust is not only abrasive, both to the cutter and to the inner workings of the mill, but it's electrically conductive, which means it can wreak havoc if it infiltrates any electronic gear. It's usually cut dry, so you need to set up a very effectively sealed enclosure for the mill with dust extraction. Here's a site with 5 crucial recommendations for graphite milling: https://www.semcocarbon.com/blog/fiv...ining-graphite

[allencncrouter]

Mini cnc

[hanermo]

Something like the Miro iirc for watchmakers, about 20k$.
Since You are comparing to Tormach and HAAS.

Any of the cheap chinese routers will cut graphite, ..
with varying levels of quality.
And they are typically really noisy with poor spindles and linear motion trains.

And endless controller sw issues.
This may or may not matter.

You almost certainly can cut graphite with any of them, at a very low cost of entry.
And the cad - cam - postprocessor dance will/may be barmy, depending.

Buy one to try it, then report back after 2 months.

There are some re-badged us solutions on the market in the 3-5k$ range.
Any of them should work, and the us sellers can recommend the sw to make it work.

[XVII_]

With prime deals going on rn, do you guys think it's easier to build a 3040 CNC off of a 3018? Or just buy a 3040 straight out? I'm also wanting to get into CNC with a small machine first