Help planning a small(?) router for aluminium please

**Clive S** · 10-02-2018

A 400x400 cutting area will take up nearly double the space compared to my planned 400x200 which is already bigger than I can think of a use for - why do you recommend this size? I'll need a bigger table!

Don't forget you will need hold down clamps on the table as well.

**suicidal_orange** · 10-02-2018

Originally Posted by Clive S

Don't forget you will need hold down clamps on the table as well.

This is why half of me still thinks I should buy a near useless <£150 Chinese 1610 or similar - I can't forget about clamps as I'd never thought of them! Just had a look and seems you're supposed to make them out of wood so can't really see how much bed I'll lose. Very random...

Thanks for pointing out what should have been obvious!

Originally Posted by JAZZCNC

Like I said size is relevant to the user or purpose. However, I can tell you as will others with 99.9% certainty that when getting into CNC you'll want to tackle larger jobs and soon even 400x400 won't be enough.!

I've just measured and I have 405x910mm of table so 400x400 travel isn't going to fit. That leaves me with two options: 400mm (or bigger? Don't think there's any point...) fixed gantry with 200mm travel bed using a rack and pinion (no room for a motor on the already small 200mm axis or a 300/350mm fixed gantry (depending how thick the sides are) with 450mm travel bed, which could use ballscrews.

Apart from the drive everything will be the same apart from lengths so I can plan most of it and decide on the size later (you and everything I've read say you always want bigger so if budget allows why not)

I'm now wondering how much weight the table can take though, and whether it needs to be level and/or flat. I was thinking 4 feet in the corners would be sufficient as the frame will be rigid by design but hadn't considered weight at all. Any suggestions for testing a table without destroying it?!

I still have plenty of reading to do - thanks again for the solid intro.

**fkwoodcnc** · 31-10-2018

Homemade wooden countertops with a 200mm moving gantry or a 400mm fixed gantry with a moving bed. It is a choice I have seen. If you make it yourself, the price will be better controlled. Even the size can be measured on the spot according to the size of the garage. Or use the metal countertops of the factory directly, which is also a good choice.