Greetings again fellow woodworkers.

During the last couple of years we have been designing and refining a shop made CNC router. This machine is just now starting to appear in the magazine as we have it running pretty good. Our original goal with the CNC router was to present a "How to build a CNC router" story series in the magazine.

Here are its current specs...

Computer required - Pentium running at 1 ghz with Windows XP
Power supply to run machine 110 Volt
Cost to construct (excluding, router, computer, and base cabinet) $1700.00
Travels - 5 inches Z axis, 28" Y axis, 38" X axis
Speeds, 150 Inches per minute maximum
Recommended router - 1 1/2 Hp to 3 Hp

While commercial routers are generally priced at the bottom end around $6,000.00, don't think that this machine is a toy by comparision. The machine performs equally with larger industrial machines, jut a little bit slower on top end cutting speeds. The price of $1,700.00 is still a rough estimate as there are changes planned, some of which will increase cost, some which will reduce costs.

If you don't mind, could you offer some: opinions, thoughts, suggestions, or any other comments about CNC routers. Of particular importance, I am wondering if there is enough appeal in the home woodworker market to justify running such an article in the magazine.

Thanks for your time and I look forward to hearing your comments.

Chris DeHut