Very excited to get started with cnc! Hello by the way.

[JAZZCNC]

Firstly - "you're new to forums in general" - there's a great bunch of guys here, but we can be a bit salty at times. Don't take anything too personally and understand that any advice offered (however it's presented) is likely to be founded on years of experience. Don't mistake unpalatable truths as an argument.

Now why do I get the feeling Doody was prepping you for ME.!! . . .

Anyway I'll give the best advise your going to get today.!! . . . . Don't waste your money buying anything that only cost's under £1000 and is sold as new.! . . . .Unless you want to waste money, material and expereince having an hair pulling frustration that will quickly become an expensive door stop.

It's just not possible to build a machine that is any good and make money selling it for under £1000, not even for the Chinese. Like Doddy says, it will be hard to even buy the components, etc to build a machine yourself that is worth the effort.

Most of the Kits you see are weak or poorly designed, most come with inferior componets or are optional extras that quickly bump the price. It's also common to see people buy these machine with the mind set of upgrading at a later date, but this never works out well or cheap, because as my favorite saying goes " You can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear".

You'll be better advised to save up, do some research to learn what's involved using a CNC machine and the software required. Most programs can be downloaded and used demo or run in simulation mode so that you can learn CAD, CAM and create G-code files which you can then load into the machine control software and simulate every process of cutting the parts on your PC, just without the actual machine.
Then when you do get a machine you are off and running straight away.

Also, consider DIY building your own machine, this is by far the cheapest way to get the best CNC machine, it just takes more time and a little patience.

If you can't DIY build then I'd suggest like Doody you look at second hand, but again you'll need at least £1000 for anything half decent because any decent machine will cost that amount for the components alone so not many will sell at this price unless desparate for cash.! . . . Pretty much anything lower than £1000 will be compromised in some way and probably best avoided unless you know what your buying.!

The biggets mistake new users make is rushing out and buying cheap.!

[Doddy]

Now why do I get the feeling Doody was prepping you for ME.!! . . .

Moi?, If I wanted to call you a salty-arsed Yorkshireman, I wouldn't pull the punch!

Lion/Mike, I'm curious and somewhat disheartened - you're ignoring the advice already trying to compromise on your requirements to try to get down to a price that is unachievable in the shiny-new domain. Space envelope is the last thing I'd sell out on - you have a good understanding of what you are looking for and that's not all that generous for sheet timber. unfortunately machines don't scale cost/price proportionally - you have fixed costs for the drive systems, control electronics spindles, etc. Yes, building big does add complexity and cost, but not at the rate that you can scale down from a 3'x2' machine to come under budget and still have a useful machine for you.

Re. the X-Carves/Shapeokos, yes, ask for real-world experience of these with the type of work you're looking to perform. They're not in the league of the machines that Jazz et all build, but are they adequate for your need? See if there's someone local (50-100 miles!) prepared to give you a demo of one (conventional currency is usually HobNobs for a chin-wag).

[Lion]

Thanks Doddy. Not compromising yet on size just wondering what each option would get me and whether they are worth a thought. New is nice obviously but not needed.
With regards to a machine that Jazz would make it sounded like that was out of budget too. Second hand is good for me but I have very little idea what type of machine I need to look for at this stage and what style design is best for my needs, predominantly cutting part sheets and with some 3d capability.