Which machines best for home use ???

[komatias]

If it is letters and 2D stuff only, you would be better served with a cheap laser cutter. CNC has a steeper learning curve and can be messier.

have a look at the thread by "TheCEO" or something. Also go onto facebook and look up the group on laser engraving and cutting.

[Fivetide]

I started with a an 2nd hand Chinese ebay CNC .. I've learned a lot and tbh I have enjoyed the learning, its frustrating sometimes ..but when u get it right (finally) it a great feeling.

Some basic mistakes I made ..

Set a budget
Bought a machine the size of the work that I was going to do.. shouldn't of done that. Now I want a bigger one.
Budget at least 25% or £400 for all the peripherals u are going to need.. clamps, water pumps + anti algae liquid + bucket , dust extractor.. stool so you can sit there staring at your masterpiece being created """Dust-Boot/Shoe"""" so you dont have to sit there and stare all day ..lol ear muffs glasses computer - monitor - keyboard -mouse operating system..
Software.. most don't have controller software check first by email, and make sure its a legit full copy not a trial.. or that's another £150, the design software ..ArtCam etc expensive.
And tips
Learn how to set your work area extents and test them ..
Do not put a bit in the spindle until you have dry run all your g-code several times or risk plunging through the bed in the first pass.
Put all your spindle spanners on long chains or paint them bright fooking orange .. :)

Hope this is of some help.

[Clive S]

I started with a an 2nd hand Chinese ebay CNC .

Welcome back long time no see etc.

[Fivetide]

Hi Clive .. yeah been off doing stuff lol :)

[JAZZCNC]

Hi Clive .. yeah been off doing stuff lol :)

Ye he's been doing Porridge . . . . . . . Welcome Home... Mean back mate. . Lol

[Fivetide]

Jazz is right about MDF ..to slow and it burns.. to fast and chips or can jam ..plus u need to balance spindle speed with feed rate, tool radius increases or decreases contact speed, I found 2 flute good but I heard 1 flue maybe better.
The way I worked out the best feed/spindle rate/speed I set up 20 8 inch parallel lines to 10% over min feed rate changing each one until you have the last one at 10% below max feed rate. Using a 2 flute 6mm end mill I set the cut depth to 50% of the diameter.. 3mm and ran the g-code. Spindle speed set at 50% max. That should give you a good indication of how well your machine copes with the MDF. If the say the middle 4 or 5 lines show no burning and u are getting a fine dust then you are heading for the right combination.. experiment.. increase spindle speeds until you reach a good balance between feed rate and cutting.
BTW I cant emphasis how important dust extraction on MDF is, both for you health and cutter life.

[JAZZCNC]

If the say the middle 4 or 5 lines show no burning and u are getting a fine dust then you are heading for the right combination.

No fine dust is exactly what you don't want.? You want a nice Big FAT chip. If your getting Fine dust then your probably not cutting deep enough and in your case with 6mm cutter (Carbide) you would have been better at 100% DOC provided you had the spindle power.
Also this high lights my point about Cheap low cost ie Chinese machines not being upto to cutting MDF correctly. I know you had chinese machine and that it coundn't cut at the correct feedrates for MDF with Carbide or HSS tooling.
Carbide would require feedrates in the 5mtr/min + region with 100% + DOC. HSS would require less DOC but still would need feedrates in excess of 5mtr/min.
Most low cost machines can't even Rapid at those speeds let alone cut.!!

In both cases Good Chip Vac would be required.

There's difference between managing to cut a material and cutting that material correctly to give best finish and tool life. In DIY arena this isn't so important but from money earning and Business point of few it's VERY important.

[Fivetide]

Jazz always good to see you my friend.. its was an open prison with my own shower cubicle lol :P