Thanks Jazz,

Plenty to think on in your response, so just for clarity:

It would seem that I need at least 2 machines to cover the range of materials I work with: CNC router for softer materials up to say 6061 T6 (will a router style rig handle this grade?) and a Mill for 7075/Steel work.

I had been looking at the Sieg X3 and some other similar machines a while back - I'll revisit those and see what's available with CNC control, either out of the box or after market.

I'd still like to get a router style machine running, for softer materials, so will still pursue that avenue for build/purchase initially with eyes duly opened.

Can you clarify or help with a few things:

When you say "stronger" would this mean replacing many of the extrusions (especially on the gantry) with aluminium plates, upping the size of the ballscrews and supported rails?

I have already lowered the Z axis, widened the spacing on the Y axis supported rails and added in two ballscrews on the X axis - any other areas I should look at and should I look at flood cooling from the outset?

BTW - I don't mind building a purely extrusion based machine first and then using that to cut out the plate gantry sides etc to make the machine more rigid later (I'm sure I can use the "wasted" extrusions I replace for other projects).

A couple of other areas I could also do with some advice on are:

Software - CAD isn't a problem, so no worries there. CAM/toolpath software I have seen is the Vetric stuff and VCarve Pro appears to be what I need (I've also been playing with Cut3D already just to try stuff out) the and Mach 3 for the machine control? Any others out there?

Oh and cutting carbon/glass re-inforced resins and plastics - can this be done, as I also do some composite work?

Apologies for the flood of questions, I'd rather get at least some of the direction of travel sorted now, as I won't be ordering anything for a month or so, as there is much to do to make the space for the new tool(s).

Thanks again


Chris