HornetUK Posted June 2, 2013 Posted June 2, 2013 I am looking for a CNC machines to make my own panels, anyone know of a reasonable cheap CNC machine on the market?
robump Posted June 2, 2013 Posted June 2, 2013 I'm also looking at making my own panels. It is possible to use a cnc router but from the research I have done if you want a very professional finish you ideally need a laser. Something I am trying to find at a reasonable price! I will then hopefully make some panels and hopefully make some available to the community. I was initially looking at making an eshapeoko.... Something that might be of interest to you. A kit will set you back just over £200 you then need the electronics to go with it. Stepper motors and drivers. It looks like it would be capable of cutting some basic panels.
HornetUK Posted June 2, 2013 Author Posted June 2, 2013 yes I was thinking about a laser myself just don't know much about it and what is needed. would rather have something ready built than have any sort of kit.
Avilator Posted June 2, 2013 Posted June 2, 2013 I don't know anything about specific machines, but I do know that price tends to vary with complexity and setup time required. On the scale from kit to fully-built machine, the kits will be cheap, but require a lot of knowledge, time, and fiddling to yield acceptable results. A fully-built ready to cut machine will be much more expensive, likely in the thousands of US dollars. I only respond to that little mechanical voice that says "Terrain! Terrain! Pull Up! Pull Up!" Who can say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow. -Robert Goddard "A hybrid. A car for enthusiasts of armpit hair and brown rice." -Jeremy Clarkson "I swear by my pretty floral bonet, I will end you." -Mal from Firefly
JG14_Smil Posted June 2, 2013 Posted June 2, 2013 (edited) _Dredd and I are looking at this machine. He sent he link after we were talking of finding a machine for home use. http://www.carving-cnc.com/cnc6040-series/cnc-6040z-s80-new-router-engraver-drilling-and-milling-machine.html Edited June 2, 2013 by JG14_Smil
robump Posted June 2, 2013 Posted June 2, 2013 yes I was thinking about a laser myself just don't know much about it and what is needed. would rather have something ready built than have any sort of kit. Fair enough, its not crazy complicated ive been messing around with cnc a bit and am happy to lend you hand if needed! Let me know.
Warhog Posted June 3, 2013 Posted June 3, 2013 That machine is very impressive especially when it comes to price. My CNC machine is a TAIG mill with a custom built controller and it came in around $2000 when all was said and done. The price on this baby is excellent. I'don't think it would be up to the task of doing metal work but who cares if your just milling/engraving plastic. The laser is a nice idea but the cost is somewhat prohibitive unless you plan on using it for a business after your panels are done. Engraving with rotary bits can give just as professional a look as a laser but a laser might be easier in actual setup and cutting. Remember, berfore lasers they used rotary engravers for years and years and they did an excellent job and still can so don't rule them out. The Mach III CNC software which you will also need is a low priced CNC package and it does a very nice job. It is easy to learn and there is a lot of forum support so you will always be able to get help. The big problem is, once your panels are built then what do you do with it. I scratch build large RC ships and a majority of my parts are CNC designed and cut and that really makes life good. But even at that my CNC mill sits idle for 75% of the time. Keep that in mind when you are looking at making a purchase. Regards John W aka WarHog. My Cockpit Build Pictures... My Arduino Sketches ... https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-Dc0Wd9C5l3uY-cPj1iQD3iAEHY6EuHg?usp=sharing WIN 10 Pro, i8-8700k @ 5.0ghz, ASUS Maximus x Code, 16GB Corsair Dominator Platinum Ram, AIO Water Cooler, M.2 512GB NVMe, 500gb SSD, EVGA GTX 1080 ti (11gb), Sony 65” 4K Display VPC MongoosT-50, TM Warthog Throttle, TRK IR 5.0, Slaw Viper Pedals
metalnwood Posted June 3, 2013 Posted June 3, 2013 _Dredd and I are looking at this machine. He sent he link after we were talking of finding a machine for home use. http://www.carving-cnc.com/cnc6040-series/cnc-6040z-s80-new-router-engraver-drilling-and-milling-machine.html I take it you have had a good read of the thread at cnczone? I know there is an ongoing thread about it and I cant tell you if it's full of problems or praise but might be worth reading up on it a little if you have not already.
metalnwood Posted June 3, 2013 Posted June 3, 2013 I am looking for a CNC machines to make my own panels, anyone know of a reasonable cheap CNC machine on the market? What is cheap? $2500USD is a cheap laser comparatively and it's also about the price point where you get a working laser that doesn't require to to make modifications to it if you don't want to, which you suggest you don't. I'm also looking at making my own panels. It is possible to use a cnc router but from the research I have done if you want a very professional finish you ideally need a laser. Something I am trying to find at a reasonable price! I will then hopefully make some panels and hopefully make some available to the community. I was initially looking at making an eshapeoko.... Something that might be of interest to you. A kit will set you back just over £200 you then need the electronics to go with it. Stepper motors and drivers. It looks like it would be capable of cutting some basic panels. Same question, what is a reasonable price to you? For a laser, if you want to make panels for other people as well I would suggest you look at something along the lines of a co2 80-100W laser that has a reasonable sized bed so that you are not forever cutting up material to fit in it and so that you can get long jobs on multiple panels done without having to stand by and change pieces of material every 10 minutes. Something like this is a good candidate http://www.wklaser.com/pro_191.aspx
robump Posted June 3, 2013 Posted June 3, 2013 Same question, what is a reasonable price to you? For a laser, if you want to make panels for other people as well I would suggest you look at something along the lines of a co2 80-100W laser that has a reasonable sized bed so that you are not forever cutting up material to fit in it and so that you can get long jobs on multiple panels done without having to stand by and change pieces of material every 10 minutes. Something like this is a good candidate http://www.wklaser.com/pro_191.aspx I am looking at getting an 80W 1200x600 bed laser, just a case of costing everything up to see if it is viable or not. Think i would end up charging around £30 a panel based on the fuel panel (3 layer, laser engraved on black painted white acrylic)
metalnwood Posted June 3, 2013 Posted June 3, 2013 I that case I would certainly think about this one http://www.wklaser.com/pro_190.aspx Its a little larger, I would ask them if they can do one in the size you want, I think they probably could. I got a larger machine from them and got a couple custom bits done to it. I dont get any commission but I have sent a couple more people there and they are happy.
Derk Posted June 3, 2013 Posted June 3, 2013 I have been looking at this: https://www.inventables.com/technologies/desktop-cnc-mill-kits-shapeoko Would that do for panel building? Also want to make a gimbal so i plan to use it for cutting parts for that as well. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
Mt5_Roie Posted June 3, 2013 Posted June 3, 2013 I wonder if it's more cost effective to find a CNC shop in the area to do the cutting and engraving vs buying a machine. Coder - Oculus Rift Guy - Court Jester
jrsteensen Posted June 3, 2013 Posted June 3, 2013 I have a Shapeoko, and I love it...I'm probably going to end up selling the whole package soon though. OpenHornet F/A-18C 1:1 SimPit Website :: DCS Thread Link :: Discord :: Github ::
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