Recommendation on entry level CNC set-up

[Jeff Finazzo]

Hello all
I was wondering if anyone could give me a recommendation on a high quality CNC set up for a small shop. It will be mostly for serious hobby work, with some potential commercial work. I would mostly like to do high qualtiy carvings, signs, engraving and maybe some part cut outs (not sure the correct term for this) for adirondack chairs I make alot of. I am not interested in cheaply made equipment that is a headache to use. Kinda what the compucarve looks like to mee. My budget is around the $8000 range max. That would be for everything I need to get started. Of course I would love to spend less if possible. I know its a lot of $$$ for a hobby, but hey, Im a tool junky, love all kinds of wood working and work hard for my money. Hows that for a rationalization. I am very computer literate so the computer side the equation and learnng curve does not scare me, but I do want something user friendly and realiable. Any suggenstions greatyl appreciated.

[Tom Majewski]

The small Shopbot is in that price range. 32" by 27" I believe.
If you want 2 axis only, that price range opens up to more products.

Check into some of the kits advertised at cnczone.com too.

[Bruce Boone]

Jeff, I don't know much about the wood CNC's out there, mostly about the metal cutting ones. I think you have the right attitude about the tools though. Always buy more tool than you think you need, and somehow you will usually find a way to use it and make a profit. Set yourself to be able to sell things on the internet and you will always have the potential for a nice second income. (Or first income if you let it get out of hand.) :D

[Keith Outten]

Jeff,

ShopBot has a couple of benchtop machines that are in your price range. These are not toys or cheap entry level CNC machines that are designed for the low end hobby market. Both machines are basically smaller footprint machines based on their big brothers built with the same level of quality, the table sizes are just smaller.

The PRSalpha is ShopBot's new machine just released this month. The PRTalpha has been around for probably 3 years and the PRTstandard is their oldest model still in production.

It is unlikely you will outgrow any of the ShopBots based on their technical capabilities, you might purchase the benchtop and later wish you had a larger table :)

I purchased a PRTalpha 96 by 48 about three years ago, it is an awesome machine.

.

http://www.shopbottools.com/prsstandard.htm
http://www.shopbottools.com/prsalpha.htm

[Shari Loveless]

Jeff,
I have to second Keith's recommendation. The Shopbot is sturdy enough to handle lots of commercial work. Our 3D carvings are coming out very nice indeed. We've done a little cutting with it also, and it does a good job on that as well. Get the biggest bed size you can afford. From the sounds of it, I would think the smallest size you'd want would be a 48". Buying used is not a problem either. The Shopbot forum people are very helpful.

Good lluck,
SL

[Joseph B. Chritz]

Jeff,
The Techno-isel CNC routers are excellent, but expensive. The reason I mention them is they have a strong link to education. If anyone wants a little or a lot of information on anything related to CNC routers check these links out and spend some time on the Techno-isel web site. I'm not affiliated with Techno-isel, we have one where I teach CNC.

http://www.techno-isel.com/H840/PDF/004.pdf

http://www.techno-isel.com/Education1/H850/H850Cat.htm

http://www.techno-isel.com/

[Robert Clément]

Hi Jeff,

I seek to fill the same needs.
One year later do you have a good solution?

Sorry Jeff I watch your join date, you are in the same situation like me. Joseph B. send good information. Thanks Joseph.


Robert

[Ed Lang]

Shopbot!

Look at shopbottools(dot)com and you should call them. When you are getting close, ask for the name of somone close to you and go see one in real life doing what it does.

I have a bias, I own one.

Good luck.