Newbie Novice

[WoodKnot]

Thanks again Jazzcnc


I had thought of upgrading it and using C frame and also thicker rails (15mm) and also thicker ball screws (8mm)

What I am struggling to come to grips with, is that there is a huge amount of hobby CNC guys out there that have purchased these 2 to 3K machines that appear to be 'not up to the task'

All these open builds appear to be built on the same or similar profiles.................

[JAZZCNC]

Thanks again Jazzcnc


I had thought of upgrading it and using C frame and also thicker rails (15mm) and also thicker ball screws (8mm)

There you go you see you are already upgrading and haven't even built it.! . . . Plus you would be upgrading it with components that are not ideal.
This is why we tell people to do the research and check out build threads so they can see the differences and why we fit and recommend the things we do.!

What I am struggling to come to grips with, is that there is a huge amount of hobby CNC guys out there that have purchased these 2 to 3K machines that appear to be 'not up to the task'

All these open builds appear to be built on the same or similar profiles.................

Well often it's because they don't know any better, often it's the first machine they have experienced and indeed it does cut, but that doesn't mean it's cutting correctly or efficiently.
Only when they get a better-built machine do they realise just how poorly it was cutting and what can be achieved with a stronger machine. I see this all the time with customers who have started with work-bees or open build type machines, their jaws drop when they see a 12mm cutter cut through 18mm MDF in one pass. Only after they have had one for a few weeks do they realise just how compromising and limiting the machine was to them.

We see this happen on the forum when people have built machines from plans and the CNC Bug truly bites them, they upgrade and waste money only to eventually realise "you can put lipstick on a pig but it's still pork at the end of the day" only when they start to listen and do the research and build a better machine do they understand how bad the old one was.!

Also, very few want to admit they have bought a lemon because they want to sell them on. Ask anyone who has bought one and moved onto a properly built machine and you will get the true answer.

Now I realise when I say these things people will think I'm just saying these things to sell machines or steer people in my direction and indeed it does at times stop me posting some things I could, but this honestly isn't the case.

I say what I say so people go into buying these things with their eyes wide open and fully aware of what they are buying because the last thing I want is new CNC users being turned off CNC because they have bought inferior machines thinking they are capable of much more than they truly are only to be frustrated and give up.
Again I see this happen all too often and ALL my advice is based on real-world experience with helping people and not just customers, people on various forums who have sought me out.

However, at the end of the day, it's down to the individual to whether they believe or trust what I'm saying. Sooner or later they find out one way or the other.

[WoodKnot]

Wow, that's a lot in a single pass. I probably would not do that with my large 1/2 inch DeWalt or Makita routers to be fair. I want something in between. I could get a top of the range Range Rover, but a reasonable Land Rover would get the job done just as well. I am sure your machines are very impressive, but what is middle of the road for you? Or do they always have to be the best specification?

I could buy Festool, but love Dewalt and Makita products - if it does the job and works well, that's good enough for me.

I want to make a few cute signs, some Christmas stuff, i am not looking for something that will 'make a living'

[JAZZCNC]

Wow, that's a lot in a single pass. I probably would not do that with my large 1/2 inch DeWalt or Makita routers to be fair. I want something in between. I could get a top of the range Range Rover, but a reasonable Land Rover would get the job done just as well. I am sure your machines are very impressive, but what is middle of the road for you? Or do they always have to be the best specification?

I could buy Festool, but love Dewalt and Makita products - if it does the job and works well, that's good enough for me.

I want to make a few cute signs, some Christmas stuff, i am not looking for something that will 'make a living'

To be fair while the machines are very capable of doing this, in reality, you wouldn't really cut that aggressively to be fair, but the point of the comment wasn't for bragging rights to how good my machines are it was to make the point that a properly built machine is much more capable.

I understand what you think your needs are at this moment in time are simple, but experience has shown me and many others on here will probably agree that when the CNC bug bites you will quickly want to do more advanced projects and it's at this point you start to realize the weaknesses of these low-end kits and electronics/software. Nothing more frustrating than wrecking materials and tools along with wasting many hours because the machine just can't handle the job.

Now obviously, can see I'm wasting my time trying to steer you in the right direction and away from these weaker machines and kits, you also seem to be ignoring the advice to do research to learn what does what and why it's required. So all that's left to be said is good luck.!!

[WoodKnot]

Now obviously, can see I'm wasting my time trying to steer you in the right direction and away from these weaker machines and kits, you also seem to be ignoring the advice to do research to learn what does what and why it's required. So all that's left to be said is good luck.!![/QUOTE]

Thank you Jazzcnc - your the engineer - I am not even an apprentice

However, i have neither the funds nor the time to spend on a top machine and I am having to sell off some older woodworking equipment to fund my build.

I cut a 22mm MR MDF sheet last night to 1000 x 1000, allowing 100mm around perimeter of the base (100mm base, top and either side) with an 800x800 centre box area for the machine. That's not a big machine at all from what i have seen.

Where do i get decent plates from? Unless i make them from 18mm birch ply?
Do i get my C Beam from Oozenest?
Best place to get the motors and Nema 23's any good?
Ball screws & rails, best place to buy?