I need Help I need to get a decent CNC machine don't have to much to spend

**theceo** · 02-04-2016

Ok you got me that looks great, so what's the cost of the 50w laser cutter

**komatias** · 02-04-2016

Take your pick. Also have a look on the Facebook for the group "Laser engraving and cutting"

Assuming you are in the USA: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...utter&_sacat=0

**theceo** · 02-04-2016

I am in the US

**Doddy** · 02-04-2016

Just to throw a curve-ball here.

Komatias - how do you find cutting wood affects the optics? (I'm thinking resinous smoke deposits on the mirrors) - Not necessarily a game-changer, but I'm thinking that it needs to be considered here. I would agree if you can cut with a laser this must be a good, viable solution, but I have avoided particle/laminate boards up to now with my 40W chinese (not that acrylic is particularly clean).

I'm surprised that 50W will cut 1/4" - but will take your advice on this. Perhaps I need to grow a pair and get some ply in mine - I've plenty of 1/4" knocking about and a project that needs an enclosure (ironically, to contain a laser - but only 1W 450nm... though that nearly set fire to my shed). Maybe a couple of passes will get through.

**komatias** · 02-04-2016

Originally Posted by Doddy

Just to throw a curve-ball here.

Komatias - how do you find cutting wood affects the optics? (I'm thinking resinous smoke deposits on the mirrors) - Not necessarily a game-changer, but I'm thinking that it needs to be considered here. I would agree if you can cut with a laser this must be a good, viable solution, but I have avoided particle/laminate boards up to now with my 40W chinese (not that acrylic is particularly clean).

I'm surprised that 50W will cut 1/4" - but will take your advice on this. Perhaps I need to grow a pair and get some ply in mine - I've plenty of 1/4" knocking about and a project that needs an enclosure (ironically, to contain a laser - but only 1W 450nm... though that nearly set fire to my shed). Maybe a couple of passes will get through.

Doddy,

40W will cut through 3mm ply in one pass but 6mm in two or three depending. You need to have a look at getting an air nozzle on you machine if it is the chinese 40W one.

**Doddy** · 03-04-2016

Originally Posted by komatias

Doddy,

40W will cut through 3mm ply in one pass but 6mm in two or three depending. You need to have a look at getting an air nozzle on you machine if it is the chinese 40W one.

Yup, mine came with an air-assist nozzle - and a handful of coiled rigid air pipe. That quickly got replaced with an energy-chain to contain a flexible (ok, aquarium) 4mm silicone air tube, as well as a 2-core ribbon to supply the two laser line-generators that a 3d-printer bracket held to provide x-hairs (don't think to use a x-hair lens/laser assy, as you can't guarantee the focus/alignment, you really do need two single line generators, one on each axis).

My real problem with chinese lasers is the absolutely crap software. I need to adapt the machine to be driven from g-code, but I've struggled to justify the cost.

**theceo** · 03-04-2016

i hear you on the laser but it just seems like to me that a drill bit would cut wood cleaner and better than a laser maybe not metal but definitely wood,

**dodgygeeza** · 03-04-2016

absolutely not, a laser will cut it faster and a lot cleaner than a router.

**komatias** · 03-04-2016

Originally Posted by theceo

i hear you on the laser but it just seems like to me that a drill bit would cut wood cleaner and better than a laser maybe not metal but definitely wood,

You get charring due to the laser that can be minimised by selecting the right feeds and power.Then a normal flapper type sanding wheel will take care of the rest. A Drill bit however is only used to drill holes. It cannot cut. An endmill or router bit will cut. The issue I see is that you cannot have a sharp internal corner due to the diameter of your cutter and that is one reason I did the job on my laser. And changing bits out, say from an 1/4" to a 1/10" cutter is a pain. If you are engraving, fine but then you may as well get a proper machine.

The software used for lasers is much simpler than the one required for cutting too. You do not have to worry about parameters, homing, ensuring the GCode is good. For someone that is pretty new to all this, looking to make money cutting out wood, then there is no beating the laser. The learning curve is minimal as opposed to CNC routers/cutting machines where you need a months/years under your belt before being able to confidently say you are any good at it.

Ultimately though it is your money to spend as you please. CNC is rewarding and a good skill to have but a cnc machine is by no means a Santa Claus machine.

**theceo** · 02-04-2016

Ok Komtias I looked at one of these machines looked small is that big enough to make a 11inch tall and 10inch wide letter plus what type of power does it use.