Quote Originally Posted by icedfusion View Post
I will go for the MDF bed route and see how I get on - if it is a complete waste of money then I may just opt for one of CNCDudez frames instead as he has shown some vids of that cutting alu.

Cheers

ice.
While I hate MDF with a passion I agree with Jonathan in that I wouldn't waste any more expense on this machine than MDF cost's.!! . . . I'm also Sorry to say this but you have just as much chance of cutting concrete has you have in cutting aluminium effectively or accurately with this machine. . . Forget it.!!

I'd also suggest if you want to cut Aluminium seriously you think about other options than the alternative you have in mind.:whistling: . . . Have considered designing or making your own machine custom to suit your needs.? It's not as difficult as you would imagine and there's plenty of good help and advice around.

If you haven't the equipment to build it your self it's still possible to build your own custom machine by having the main components made for you, which you then basicly just assemble.
I have helped and cut parts for loads of people who have done this with great success. It obviously works out slightly more expensive than full DIY but often it still works out cheaper or the same as buying kit's like the ones you see about.? . . Why . . .Mainly because you only build it ounce and it does exactly what you need because it's custom to your needs.! . . .. Unlike the kits which are usually a compromise or has is often the case due to 1st time CNC Inexperience, It only just border line fullfill's your needs which you then quickly out grow as your CNC knowledge and needs increase. . . . Or worse still and unfortunatly I see all too often doesn't do what the buyer thought it would or like in your case missled into beliveing it can do more than it's capable of.!!. . . Which you then end up selling or canabilizing to make another machine better suited to your needs. Either way you usually lose money and cost's more than bulding DIY ounce.

The other route or approach which unfortunatly again I see all to often and recommend you ABSOLUTLY DO NOT TAKE is to buy the kit, then when it doesn't perform as expected try to upgrade.!! . . In my experience It nearly ALWAYS ends up costing more than cutting your lose's selling what you have and starting again.

Like I say seriously think about your needs and building or designing your own machine, it's not as hard as you might imagine or expensive and there's good folks willing to help/advise.

Buy MDF for this one.!!. . . . Because I don't think you'll have it long.