I've been researching and thinking about adding CNC to my shop for a few years now. My issue is, I don't have several Thousand $ to throw at something and I want to add a small CNC to my shop/experience level to see how much I would really use one without spending $25K to find out. I've looked at the Shapeoko 3 XXL but I'm far in love with the CAMaster line of CNC machines.
I'm frustrated because it took me 30 years to get the tools in my shop that I have today and a shop I no longer need to find ways to expand it. Sure I can borrow the money but I've never been in debt to supply tooling to my shop. I would love to have a CAMaster 4x8 machine with 3Kw spindle in my shop, ready to crank out the work....but I'm nervous about what I "don't know".
I do have a local friend that has a small X-Carve that he does work with and my view is...at least he's learning to work with a machine to make things that he couldn't before.
How do I really need to think about this? Maybe my approach to this is all wrong. There are a couple of people here that I've talked to about this, but I'm asking in "public view" to see what you say.