[SophieGirl]

OK, so here is my first post (of many most likely) on my search for a CNC machine. I have been involved in woodworking for over 35 years and I have finally gotten to the point of getting tired of paying others to do my wood carving/engraving for me and would like to start doing it myself. My problem is that I do not know where to start. I have done a lot of research on the internet only to find that it does me no good since I don't really know what I am looking for or even where to start my search. Every company has really good things to say about their equipment (of course they do, they are wanting to sell it) and when I read something good, reviews that I read almost always give it poor recommendations. I figured the best place to get information about them are from the people who have the experience, hence me being at this forum. Can anyone give me a good place to start on my search for a good, reliable, within a home woodshop budget, CNC milling/carving machine. I have looked at main brands such as CarveWright, CAMaster, Laguna, etc, but I don't know if what they offer is what I need, if it is overkill, underkill, etc... Any help getting on the right path would be greatly appreciated. Stacey

[awerby]

What did you have in mind to make? "Woodworking" can encompass anything from wooden pens to 3-masted schooners. Engraving machines are different from machines used for cutting out cabinets, although there's a certain amount of overlap. 3D carving has different requirements than cut-out work. You'd get the best advice here by saying specifically what you hope to do, how big, and how fast. How much you have to spend comes into it as well. And remember, nobody has used every machine out there; people's opinions are going to be colored by their experience with the ones they have used.

[SophieGirl]

Thank you for responding. I want to do engraving into wood. Words, pictures, emblems, etc... I am not looking to cut things out of the wood, just patterns into the wood. I work with the military and do many retirement gifts and they like to have rating insignias, ranks, Navy emblem, Marine EGA, words, and so forth. As far as the budget, I know that can really get up in price, but I am looking for a home garage setup, not professional, but still very functional and exceptionally reliable. I could most likely go to $3,000 but would of course like to get a good setup for cheaper. My research so far has confused me more that helped me. Thanks in advance for your help. Stacey

[plutoniumsalmon]

Look at shopbot. Also general started making small engravers now.

[awerby]

I don't think there are any Shopbots in that price range. Their Desktop model, the smallest one they make, goes for $5k. ShopBot Desktop You might be able to find a used one, though. You don't say how large your parts are, but if they could fit in a 5" x 11" part envelope, the USA-made Taig mills we sell might work for you, and they fit within your budget. They have faster spindles than most desktop mills, so some engraving is possible, using round-nose tools. If you want to do very fine engraving with sharp-pointed tools, though, you'd probably want to swap out the spindle for something that goes 30kRPM or faster.

[SophieGirl]

OK, so I have done a lot of research and have come up with 3 options so far. 1) cncrouterparts has the benchtop pro (25" X 25") with all of its needed components including everything but the spindle and the computer (it comes with Vcarve Pro and Mach 3) for about 5500.00. This is made up of various sub-assemblies that must be assembled. 2) The CNC Shark Pro Plus™ HD (25" X 25") that comes with everything with the exception of the spindle (router) and a computer. It comes with (as they say) 1000.00 of software to include Vcarve pro, cut 3D software, and 20-3D models, font and graphic package. Computer control would be by free download software. 3) The XZero Raptor (I opted for the 24"X36" since it was only 100.00 more than the 2' X 2'). Adding all of the options up that they offer would put the price at around 3490.00. I just started looking at that one (Thank you Jeff for all of your help) but I am not sure if it comes with the electronics package or not. They are a little lacking in details on their website so I will send them an email.

So what would be your opinion of these 3 machines. Currently, I am liking #3 the most but that could change very quickly depending on what I would still need to get that I could not verify on the site. Next would be # 2 based mainly on the price over # 3 but I have been informed that Shark is not the most reliable, and of course the price for #1 is just a bit out of my budget. But, I would be willing to spend the extra money if the quality and reliability was hand and foot over the others. Thanks in advance for the help. Stacey

[SophieGirl]

OK, so I contacted XZero and my understanding is that for my purposes, I can get the 30" X 36" CNC machine for 2,850.00 and get the motor kit for 320.00 that includes the MX3660 and 3 320OZ motors, which my understanding is pretty much everything I would need to start carving minus the spindle (or router), software and computer to control the machine. Does anyone have any thoughts on the MX3660 as well as the motors. For another 70.00, I can upgrade to 425OZ motors. Would it be worth the money to do that or would the 320's be sufficient. So far I am thinking this is the one that I would be getting. The one that I am looking at is at raptor. Any inputs at all would be appreciated. Stacey

[ger21]

I would probably go with the XZero. Make sure you opt for the 1610/2010 ballscrew upgrade. The Motor Kit includes a Leadshine 3 axis drive, but you'll probably need to supply your own wiring, as well as any switches/ relays and other components. You'll need to build your own control box and do all the wiring. That's why CNC Router Parts kit is $1000 more.

[ger21]

You'll also need a power supply. Can you get the specs on the 425oz motors? Most of them are high inductance and not a good choice, as they require much higher voltages to get high speeds.

You might also consider a complete G540/381oz motor kit from Automationtechnologiesinc.com

[SophieGirl]

Gerry, is the kit you are talking about for 479.95:
G540 3-Axis kit (115V /230VAC):

1 pcs G540 4 axis driver with 4pcs DB9 connectors
3 pcs NEMA23 KL23H2100-35-4B(1/4” Dual shaft with a flat) 381 oz-in
1 pcs KL-350-48 48V/7.3A 115V /230VAC power supply

Is the 381 a better motor for my applications, and would this be all that I would need to complete the machine to working order with the exception of the software, computer, and spindle? Does this kit have all of the switches, relays, and other components that you spoke of? I know that I would need to connect the motors to the G540 via the connectors as well as the PSU to the G540, but will there be any other wiring that would be required, and as I am rather savvy at electrical components, I would not say that I am an expert. Is it rather easy to do? Also, I am assuming that DB9 connectors are for connecting the motors to the motor drivers. Also, what is the advantage of the ball screw upgrade? Many questions, I know, but I am learning as I go. Thanks again for your help. Stacey

[ger21]

Yes, this one. G540 3-Axis NEMA23 381oz in PSU48V/7.3A With Single Shaft Motors | Automation Technology Inc

You'll need to wire everything together, but this is all you need for basic operation.

If you want limit and/or home switches, you'll need to add them.
If you want an E-Stop switch, you'll need to add it.
If you want to control your spindle or router, you'll need to add the required components.
It's up to you what components you want to add.

But the kit plus wire is enough to run your machine.
This has been hands down the most popular kit for the last several years. I don't have the specs on the motors from X Zero, but I think the 381oz are probably a better choice. The ballscrew upgrade will double your speed, assuming the stock screws are 5mm pitch.

[fixtureman1]

go to the lets talk shopbot forum and see what is for sale used.

[SophieGirl]

OK, so I am about 95% sold on the Raptor 30 (30" X 36") CNC machine raptor . The price is better then anything I have seen so far for a unit that size and it looks sturdy. I did upgrade to the 1610/2010 Ball screw option, and did not opt for any of the other stuff. My next decision is which stepper driver/motors to go with. XZero sells the MX3660 for a 3-axis cnc with 281oz motors. The other one that I am contemplating is the Geckodrive G540 with 381oz motors. Not wanting to step on anyone's toes, but I am getting so many mixed reviews on how good/bad both of them are, so I am rather confused. My initial thought process is to go with the G540 kit only due to having more powerful motors as well as having the option to add a forth axis to the raptor at a later time if I find the need to do so. Am I leaving anything out that I may need to consider or am I misguided on any of my points that I named? Again, thanks so much for all of the help.

Stacey

[SophieGirl]

I guess I don't understand this forum too well. I had a thread going and then all of a sudden it was closed. I guess there are time limits to it. I will pickup where I left off.

OK, so I am about 95% sold on the Raptor30 (30" X 36") CNC machine found at www.xzerocnc.com/raptor.htm . The price is better then anything I have seen so farfor a unit that size and it looks sturdy. I decided not to upgrade to the 1610/2010 Ballscrew option, and did not opt for any of the other stuff. My next decision iswhich stepper driver/motors to go with. XZero sells the MX3660 for a 3-axis cncwith 281oz motors. The other one that I am contemplating is the Geckodrive G540with 381oz motors. Not wanting to step on anyone's toes, but I am getting somany mixed reviews on how good/bad both of them are, so I am rather confused.My initial thought process is to go with the G540kit only due to having more powerful motors as well as having the option to adda forth axis to the raptorat a later time if I find the need to do so. I was also informed that the Geckodrive G540 could step from 1 to 1/10th and outputted 3.4 amps and the MX3660 from 1 to 1/64 and 6 amps. Am I leaving anything out that Imay need to consider or am I misguided on any of my points that I named? I do not know what I would really need for my applications of Carving into Wood. Again,thanks so much for all of the help.

Stacey

[ger21]

Not sure what happened, but this thread isn't closed.

I'm curious where you've seen bad reviews for both the MX3660 and G540. I haven't seen hardly any reviews of the MX3660, but the vast majority of machine builds here are using the G540. Keep in mind that you're more likely to read of people having problems, as nobody asks questions when everything is going well. So you tend to hear more of the bad then the good.

If your not going to go with the ballscrew upgrade, then I'd say that the MX3660 with 281oz motors would be fine.
However. I'd strongly recommend the ballscrew upgrade. Note that I'm assuming that the stock screws are 5mm pitch. If you're going to spend close to $4000, wouldn't an extra $90 to double your speed make sense. You can find a lot of posts from people with 5mm screws asking how to get more speed. The answer is to change the ballscrews.

My vote is the G540 and 381oz motors. I have a friend with an XZero machine and that's what he's using.

[SophieGirl]

Gerry, after talking with George at XZero, the raptor comes with 10mm pitch screws. Would it still be beneficial to upgrade? By the way, does your friend like his XZero machine?

[ger21]

Then what does the upgrade give you vs stock???

[Anniepoo]

I've been doing entirely satisfactory carving in hardwoods with a home made unit I bought (finished) for $500, including the old computer that runs it. After working with it for a while, I realize it's a fairly simple machine - if you've been doing woodworking for many years it should be a cinch to make one (mine's made of 3/4" MDF) There's any number of plans on the market. If you're watching pennies, it's worked for me.

[SophieGirl]

Gerry, looking at the site, I guess the stock ball screws are as follows:
1605 Y and z axis Ballscrews
2005 X axis Ballscrew

Again, I am not savvy on this jargon, so I don't really know what it means.

[ger21]

Those are 5mm pitch screws.

1605 = 16mm diameter, 5mm pitch.