Quote Originally Posted by Desertboy View Post
I admire your persistence but the fact you've moved to an aluminium frame was something I knew you would from the first post I read of yours. MDF/wood has just too much flex and also aluminium 10 years later is still aluminium MDF could easily be a mush.

I started my build very much like you (except that I was always going to have aluminium frame) but as I got to the end you start to realise there is a reason everyone tells you to get Hiwin's style rails and ballscrews because they work and they work well.

Cheap (Sub £1000) and decent router are not words that go together.
ROFL, I love you man. But me thinks you got me wrong.
The aluminium frame in the photo is 1 of two of my baby CNC's
I still use my large wooden one and am making a aluminium one just because i can.

My wooden machine is Ply and Timber i used MDF to prototype parts (cheap stuff).
SO far cuts Hard and soft wood, perspex and slate.
Think That Qualifies as Decent?

I was going to use a chain drive but could find the parts i wanted so ended up ball n screw.
as for the rails My lovely door runners have held out and work like a cool summer breeze.

Router/Trimmer £40
Rails n Wheels £70 ish 120cm
Screws n Bits x3 £40 ish 100cm
Stepper Motors x4 £100
Drivers x4 £30
Controller £20

£300 as wood was all scrap i had that didn't cost me anything.
I Think that qualifies as cheap?


So my Cheap CNC Router is Decent ! lol look all three words in yet another sentence.