What to buy when starting out

[JAZZCNC]

Ive actually spotted this one which looks more robust..

3 Axis Column Type Engraving Machine, High-pricision Ball Screw CNC 3040 Table | eBay

What do people think about this type

Can't comment from experience of using this machine on the structure but I can estimate it's strength from my experience. Essentially it still as all the Low quality components the gantry style machine does. These are the cheap round type linear rails and bearings and from the limited pictures they actually look like unsupported type which is the worse case.
Also again the ballscrews will be standard chinese units but they will be connected with same poor setup and bearings.

Really if you look close the base unit is essentially the same base as the gantry machine, probably exactly same just with a Upright coloumn replacing gantry.
While it looks strong it won't be nearly as strong as it looks in practice because the column isn't ridged or fastened to the base anything like good enough, i also suspect the column is just thin aluminium plate bolted together so will be very flexy.!!

Electrical wise then looks like it's using cheap low powered components and the fact they are using 24V and don't actually show them makes me suspect the could be the TB based units commonly found on ebay. These are to be avoided like the plague.!!

Spindle is about the only thing of any note and this is just a standard water cooled spindle.

Unfortunatly I can't point you to anything better that can be bought for same money as it's just not possible to build them for same money and make money.

That said it is possible to build your own much better version for not very much more.!!