Hi all just a few questions!

[dubchip]

http://http://buildyourcnc.com/greenbullCNCkit.aspx

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't build a machine using MDF you will regret it. . . . .I know it's tempting because it's available and cheap plus your used to working with wood Etc but it's got no place in CNC if you want a machine that's going to last more than 1 winter
and be accurate.
From a business point of view you it will inderr more than help and you'll be constantly chasing problems costing more than the time and money you saved.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for all information I may not need a book after all:tup:

To be honest I don't really have the time or even the space to build my own from scratch. I just couldn't see myself going all the way back to my workshop in the evenings to work on what could be a 6 mth or more project.
I'm thinking that my budget wouldn't stretch to buy a new machine of that size with all the software etc but that the kit would be a good option. It was actually the 'green bull' model that I had seen and on closer inspection I can see its actually made from a plywood and not mdf. I don't know if this would change your opinion but they also mention that they've strengthened the design of the gantry with ribs forming a torsion box. Is it its lack of strength or possible movement of wood with the seasons thats your main objections to these kits and if you know of another kit that doesn't use wood I'd love to know.
Thanks again
Garvan

[Jonathan]

on closer inspection I can see its actually made from a plywood and not mdf. I don't know if this would change your opinion but they also mention that they've strengthened the design of the gantry with ribs forming a torsion box.

It's still wood which is inherently very weak. Torsion box helps but compared to steel/aluminium it will still have very poor stiffness.

It had occurred to me to make kits for routers with plywood on my machine, but I've not as it's very dishonest/misleading to imply it will work well for any reasonable size machine.

[JAZZCNC]

It's still wood which is inherently very weak. Torsion box helps but compared to steel/aluminium it will still have very poor stiffness.

It had occurred to me to make kits for routers with plywood on my machine, but I've not as it's very dishonest/misleading to imply it will work well for any reasonable size machine.

This must be a first! . . . . . We Completely agree on something. Lol

[dubchip]

Thanks for all your opinions,
I haven't replied sooner as I've been busy most evenings doing some prices for jobs and reading a book I picked up on the subject. As to the use of wood, it seems that the consensus is not to go near it and I guess it is obviously not as strong as metal but can a new one be bought or built by someone else as you suggested for my budget of £4000( electronics, and all necessary software incl.)

Anyone up for the project, 8x4 three axis with a short Z axis, London based would be better. In the meantime I've got to book myself in to a CAD course.

Garvan

[Jonathan]

£4000 should be fine.

Anyone up for the project, 8x4 three axis with a short Z axis, London based would be better. In the meantime I've got to book myself in to a CAD course.

I'm up for it, but I'm 100 miles from London.

Don't need a course for CAD, just press the buttons and see what happens :tup:
If that fails then use the tutorials and help file.

[dubchip]

Wow that was a quick reply
I see that your'e based in Nottingham up the infamous M1 probably a bit to far for a project like this. I imagine that it would require quite a few visits before anything would get started. I could handle the M4 as I'm west London based or even the M3 but also I suppose its very much a question of closeness/ quality ratio so you never know. Do you have some pictures of your CNC machine that I could see.

Cheers

[GMCNC]

Hiya, I reckon £4000 would get you a chinese 1200x1200x100 machine complete with computer and ready to go, but a 2400x1200 machine might be a bit more due to the size/freight.....

I origionally started out wanting to build a machine 3mt x 1mt a couple of years ago, eventually I went down the import route as it was so much easier :s Although I ended up with a 1200x1200, hehe.

If you wanted to check the quality etc you are most welcome to come and see/use mine