Hi Everyone.

I've joined this forum as I'm about to purchase a CNC machine and need help understanding what I'm looking for and what to avoid.

I would like to start building jazz guitars which involves the carving of two arched plates and a neck. Think giant Violin or a miniature Cello.

I'm a bit of a prat so I usually buy Mafell tools because I don't want the tool to get in the way of my idiocy. A good tool does its job well, so when something doesn't work properly, the only culprit left is me.

I need a small machine, preferably 1200x600 or 6090 at a push and my budget is around 4-6k.
I would prefer to buy new but used is ok too.

I would like to use Fusion 360 or Solidworks with Master Cam CAD, so an open CAM programme would be great.

I am aware of things like ball screws and other signs of quality but my knowledge is still poor enough that I don't know the difference between good quality ball screws and the poor ones. Hence why I'm not ordering direct from China.

Thanks in advance for any help offered and for reading my post.

Cheers!