[ruairi]

Hi,
I'm new to these forums and relatively new to the whole CNC thing. But the more I think about it and the more I browse this site I realize how much i'd like a cnc router.

Here's the catch, I will only have $800 to $1000nzd. I was wondering about the feasibility of building a CNC router with a working area of around 100cm (40inches) by 50cm (20inches). I would be using it to machine aluminium, copper
and acrylic.

If its not feasible at this price what price point would I be looking at.

Thanks in advance

Ruairi

[port_huon]

You're not going to get something made of aluminium for that price. Cheapest CNC router I've seen recently are the 6040 ones sold on eBay. These will set you back about $A1700 including shipping.
Working area for these is 400mm x 580mm so a fair bit smaller than you require.

For your budget, MDF construction is your best hope. Browse a bit more here to get a better idea of what's possible on a limited budget.

[ruairi]

Hi,
Thanks for the quick reply. I wasn't planning on making it out of aluminium but routing aluminium with it. I have though about it and could probably do with a 50cm by 25cm table. Are these expectation more reasonable for that price?

[kiwibrick]

Controller and steppers (I got a Gecko 540 kit) is going to be well over half that budget alone, landed here in NZ.

[ger21]

If you really want to be milling copper, then you should buy a mill, not a router.

[Eclipze]

I spent $7k all up, including delivery and spindle upgrade, on a CNC that does 900x600mm. I can do limited aluminium cutting with a 3mm endmill, cutting 3mm plate with 2 passes, but the gantry is no where rigid enough to use a 6mm. Too much chatter. Not the best of setups to run coolant/lubricant either. As ger21 said... you want a mill, not a router. Don't forget the costs of endmills, tools and accessories. Would be good to have at least $500..$750 to start with for that stuff.

[ruairi]

Thanks for the replies guys, looks like I've got some more saving to do