Hello,

I would like to build a small CNC machine to drill and mill prototype PCBs. A maximum of 360mm x 360mm working area would be generous for what I want to work with.

Occasionally I need to cut out shapes in cases, sometimes mild steel, to take connectors etc. and it would be nice to be able to use the same machine for this.

Being able to place components on PCBs would be nice too, speed is not an issue I don't care about switching tools etc. by hand or selecting components manually. (I do this at the moment with the assistance of a tiny Proxon mill using either a mandrel or bent pin combined with blu-tack :-))

Given that I know very little about CNC machines, but can learn quickly, can someone please point me in the correct direction to get started? What should I be looking at first?

Thanks in advance,

Jon