Looking to buy a CNC / Please help

[irving2008]

Depends on your definition of good results. With the lack of rigidity the finish could suffer and with that spindle you'll be limited to small cutting tools so removing any significant material is going to take a long time. Its going to need dozens of passes rather than two or three. Its hard to be definitive but I think you'll find it limiting for anything but the smallest of jobs.

Personally if I was buying secondhand I'd want to see it cutting and do some trials first...

[dudz]

Do you think going down the "Merchantdice" route would be better quality/results ??

[Hobgoblin]

Do you think going down the "Merchantdice" route would be better quality/results ??

I Nievely sought interest within merchantdice's product range. I was overwhelmed by the interest and the potential of diy cnc before considering the pedigree of the machine.

Basically I've come to learn that what they offer, in my opinion, is basic and if you actually intend to cut aluminium with any sucess stay clear of a merchant dice machine.

I'm sure for some applications they work well, I just cant imagine one that would be suitable to my cnc needs.

Probably best to discover the wonders of supported linear rails, and profile rails. Rigidity is key for these machines to be fit for any decent purpose.

[dudz]

Then I think I might go with the French one. I understand it is not the best, and not really suited to aluminum, but its a starting point I think. Maybe I will change the spindle for an 800W Kress if it improves things.
After all; I have seen the Chinese ones from Ebay mill aluminum "out of the box" after a little calibration.