Quote Originally Posted by Ger21 View Post
I'm with Jazz. That machine is little more than a toy. Doubling up the gantry beam will do little for stiffness. Belt drive is for toys, as well as those electronics.



This makes no sense at all. If you're already making a template with the CNC, why not load more stock on the machine and let it continue to do the work? Especially with curved work, the more parts you can cut on the CNC, the more money you'll save. I've been doing this type of work in a cabinet shop for almost 20 years now.

Spending 2-3 times the money can get you a machine that can do real work. If you want to build a machine to learn, buy a 300mm x 300mm machine.
I didn't mean making a template to copy multiple times we do mainly one off stuff so I meant cutting templates to the lay onto a piece of work, we're not a high volume company, for example we've had templates cut before to transfer onto larger things (5+ meters)

Thanks for the advice this I think, was what I was thinking in the back of my mind, another option is the elu 860 again I know these are pretty archaic by modern terms but I also know it's a better machine any opinions on these?

I also understand that that the more I use it the more I'll find use for it and so longevity does play a part bit as I say we are a small company (3 employees) and so really we want something to just have a play with hence the elu was an option....

Further thoughts?

Budgets not masses because it's something were kinda teasing into though I do admit I wouldn't want simply throw money away we'd rather spend more now than regret it later

chris