25 year break. The Internet changed things!

[Blazing Black Beard]

Hello everyone. I have been away from mechanical engineering for a while but recently got interested again, especially now there's a ton more information and good experiences to learn from before making the same mistakes as others. I came here purely by chance after viewing a series of DIY CNC router build videos on YouTube. My idea was to join, learn and then contribute back.

I'm here to post everything I will be doing with my new CNC router build and share all my experiences regarding relearning all the basics I have long forgotten. Firstly though I want to pick all your brains for the juicy info on your experiences with DIY CNC router builds for wood and metal machining, buying parts, sourcing materials and getting bargains or at least good quality stuff that's going to last but not require a mortgage to buy.

I'll be producing alsorts when my machine is built, metal plates, engraving, wood and metal furniture, PCBs, 3D parts and anything from maybe as small as 5mm up to about 1.5m square.

If anyone here has advice on aluminium extrusion based DIY CNC routers builds then any info would be appreciated.