Quote Originally Posted by jmac80 View Post
does anyone have a small chinese style router i could send a small bit of aluminium sheet to to see if it cuts a shape ok?
i just don't want to spend a heap of money on one if it doesn't work! :)
First let me say the Cheap-O Chinese machines with the better spindle will be strong enough.! . . BUT. . .Unfortunately there's even more to it than what you think.?
To cut this stuff with any kind of finish you'll need flood coolant or a very Good Mist system with compressed air.

Then you have the problem of Holding down very small parts and Thin material.? It's a night mare and Even Vacuum won't help unless used with special Jigs has the parts are so small.

If you are bent on CNC then I wouldn't recommend the Chinese machines anyway has they are poor quality and can be troublesome which if your not CNC savy you won't want to deal with.
Router Style machine will Cut what you want no problem and just has good has any mill can. But Like the Mill it will need the correct cutters and tool-paths along with Flood coolant/Mist and serious thought on best way to hold down.

My honest opinion is to Seriously look at using a Punch press if volume is needed or stay with the Scroll saw thinking.!