Thread: Newbie - needing help
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26-02-2017 #1
Hi All
I make small models and have always got the parts I need from a friend who is emigrating and taking his equipment with him.
I have some stock of the parts - mainly thin Ply or Basswood - both 3mm, but I am quite busy so I am thinking of doing it myself.
I have no idea what I should buy, so thought it best to ask the experts.
The Ply or Basswood parts are mostly quite small - 5 inches square and smaller, mostly rectangular, some square, but all have straight edges.
Is there a small cnc machine for the hobbyist to cut 3mm Ply and Basswood ?
Is cmc the right move for me ?
Hope to hear from you
Thanks
Mark_W
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27-02-2017 #2
Hi Mark, welcome to the forum!
Most of the small CNC routers you see advertised on eBay will do what you need but be aware that the quality of them is sometimes shocking. The electrics nearly always need replacing/upgrading and you're best to get the ones with ballscrews rather than trapezoidal leadscrews. What quantity of parts do you do, lots or just small batches? If lots then I'd reconsider using a small 3040 machine and perhaps look at making your own which isn't as daunting as it sounds!
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27-02-2017 #3
To be honest for relatively thin ply and basswood even something like the ox cnc would be fine imo.
Big work area available for the price so you could get lots of parts cut in a single operation... could be worth considering.
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27-02-2017 #4
If your parts are only 2D then have you considered a chinese laser cutter?
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27-02-2017 #5
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27-02-2017 #6
No better than a chinese router IMO.! . . . . Any of these machines will cut thin ply wood or balsa etc. This is not the issue with them.
Reliabilty and longevity is the real problem.
The Ox design is rubbish and over time will become sloppier than.!! . . Well you know.?
Rollers running over soft aluminium coverd in abrasive dust is recipe for wear and in short period of time things will start binding and sticking leading to all kinds of air pulling time consuming sessions.
The chinese machines while half ok on the strength side are often thrown together and with inferior components. The wiring and electronics are joke. However for learning and getting into CNC they have there place. Just don't expect the world.
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27-02-2017 #7
Agreed, I certainly wouldn't say it is is better than a Chinese router... it would however be another option at the same/similar price point as a cheap Chinese one, but with the option of a significantly larger work area for the money which might be useful for his needs. Just another option without pushing someone into a much more expensive purchase than they want. Undoubtedly it will develop slop over time but given the light duty work I think it'd last ok and would be relatively cheap to refurb.
I think there's a lot to be said for the laser suggestion actually though... available cheap and would do a good job on the OP's requirements. Just the replacement tube costs to consider and reliability, though I don't think they are particularly less reliable than any generic Chinese CNC.
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27-02-2017 #8
Last edited by JAZZCNC; 27-02-2017 at 10:31 PM.
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