Was about to get a toy- then I did some research...

[Boyan Silyavski]

You should have very clear what you would like to do with that machine. But IMO the best machine for a starter is CNC mini mill. Smaller area but a real machine, not a toy. And will not lose resale value so much. And can make real parts. very good for learning.

Worse thing to buy is crappy Chinese machine and God forbid a belt driven machine.

[JAZZCNC]

God forbid a belt driven machine.

Here we go again.! . . . Have you ever built or used a belt-driven machine.?
For a small router, (or even a basic large machine) then belt drive is a very good solution with high efficiency and low backlash that's reasonably cheap and easy. Yes, maybe not ball screw good but much better than other methods like R&P or cheap lead screws if done correctly. . . . .Don't knock it until you've tried it.!

[Boyan Silyavski]

Here we go again.! . . . Have you ever built or used a belt-driven machine.?
For a small router, (or even a basic large machine) then belt drive is a very good solution with high efficiency and low backlash that's reasonably cheap and easy. Yes, maybe not ball screw good but much better than other methods like R&P or cheap lead screws if done correctly. . . . .Don't knock it until you've tried it.!

Here we go again, my first machine was belt driven and aint nothing bad with it, just learn how belt stretches on each material and each temperature... Of course you will say if properly calculated will not happen and i will tell you that for same price it could be ball screw.

Why don't you relax and stop supervising me what i say, it's just an opinion. I am not pretending like you to be the final word on everything

[JAZZCNC]

Here we go again, my first machine was belt driven and aint nothing bad with it, just learn how belt stretches on each material and each temperature... Of course you will say if properly calculated will not happen and i will tell you that for same price it could be ball screw.

We do agree that ballscrews are better and not much more money. But I don't agree with telling someone NOT to use them with a statement like "God forbid a belt driven machine." because they are not that bad when done correctly with correctly sized belts. It's a perfectly good route for a first time builder on a budget who doesn't want to get into importing ballscrews etc from China.

Why don't you relax and stop supervising me what i say, it's just an opinion. I am not pretending like you to be the final word on everything

I don't pretend to be the final word on everything.! . . . .I AM THE FINAL WORD. . .

Chill out Boyan, I still Luv ya Dude, and it's only for the sake of others we do what we do.!

[NeoMorph]

Another thing to think about is I am 100% guaranteeing that any machine you design and build will end up getting modified in some way after you get your first cut chips.

I think I spent the first year either pulling my machine apart and making minor alterations like packing the interior of the extrusion and bolting the gantry beams together to increase rigidity and reduce harmonics, to bigger alterations like removing the old Z axis and replacing it with a stronger C beam and replacing the aluminium gantry uprights with strong steel ones. This reduced a LOT of design problems with my original build yet I’m still not 100% happy.

What I mean is, until you get some experience under your belt it’s hard to know what you want from what you NEED to make your machine do what you want. I’m still very much a novice yet have managed to improve my machine a lot over the last few years.

[Juranovich]

You should have very clear what you would like to do with that machine. But IMO the best machine for a starter is CNC mini mill. Smaller area but a real machine, not a toy. And will not lose resale value so much. And can make real parts. very good for learning.

I actually stumbled upon another thread where I think you were involved and this idea came up. It's actually not a bad idea as a) I'd have something to learn the basics on b) I happen to know of a (apparently) decent used mill that's for sale c) I'd be able to machine my own alu plates. As of now I'd probably have to have the majority of them made for me...

On the other hand, that would entail spending money on two machines instead of just one...