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We have been using a small slow homemade router for 10 years and are thinking about purchasing a new one.
I've been looking at the Practicalcnc router but I wanted to get opinions about others I should consider. I need a 4x8 table and I'm not going to spend more than $10k or install 3phase power.
Any ideas?
thanks, ernie
-------------------- Ernie Balch Balch Signs 1045 Raymond Rd Malta, NY 518-885-9899 Posts: 405 | From: Malta, NY | Registered: Jan 2003
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I'm with you Ernie. I'm sure a $40,000 machine would kick butt, but somewhere in my psyche I'm also sure that eight $5000 machines would far outproduce it, and just one of those would be sufficient for my modest needs.
In fact, since I have NO router now, your old machine could probable keep me fascinated for a long time.
I didn't know about PracticalCNC, but I'm checking them out now. Thanks. The only other alternative I know is ShopBot.
SONGPAINTER Original Sign Music by Sign People NOW AVAILABLE on CD and the proceeds go to Letterville's favorite charity! Click Here for Sound Clips! Posts: 1974 | From: Orleans, MA, Cape Cod, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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i had no idea you could get new 4x8 cnc router for 10k....since you are both excellent carvers you wouldn't have to even toy with idea of relief 3d software so that would save alot of $ right there. i ended up with a machine with a vacuum hold done system because i cut alot of profile shapes with alum, dibond, coroplast etc and i felt i needed it. good luck in your search and keep us posted on your finds...i've also heard shop bot is pretty inexpensive but you have to do all the setup...which obviously wouldn't bother you at all since you built your own from stratch....the only thing i would be able to do is scratch my head and cry...i needed it all set up. as much as i love my cnc...it certainly isn't the easiest thing to run...you have to remember to change your feed rate with every tool change and z every bit in(no room for error)...i find i have to be pretty alert running it...not waiting til the end of a hectic day when my brain is mush...hell sometimes that happens b4 10am!
-------------------- Karyn Bush Simply Not Ordinary, LLC Bartlett, NH 603-383-9955 www.snosigns.com info@snosigns.com Posts: 3516 | From: Bartlett, NH USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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We went with MultiCam because it was just flat better made but if I were to buy on a set amount like yours I would go with ShopBot all the way. They are great on the phone have a good discussion board and people get all into them. I saw a couple run and they were not bad, just not what we wanted. We also liked the fact that MultiCam is onnly 30 miles up the road.
With your background in building them you should have no problem with the ShopBot.
-------------------- Amy Brown Life Skills 101 Private Address Posts: 3502 | From: Lake Helen, FL, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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I would like to have artCAM but I just can't justify the high cost.
Instead I'm going to buy a very nice CAM program that generates 2D and 3D G-code. The program is called Ram3D and it costs less than $1k. The program will import almost anything and quickly convert it to G-code.
The program also supports V-cutting which is what we mostly do.
My son is quite good with Autodesk Inventor so we can export 3D .STL files and generate the G-code in a couple of minutes. So I will be able to do anything that artCAM will do.
Of course many of the letterhead carvers will still be faster than the router especially for 3D shapes.
ernie
-------------------- Ernie Balch Balch Signs 1045 Raymond Rd Malta, NY 518-885-9899 Posts: 405 | From: Malta, NY | Registered: Jan 2003
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I am considering a CNC myself, the dust here is incredible. My CD rom burner stopped working because it sucked up so much crud. When I moved my blaster outside, the metal on the air hose froze up. I found a guy on eBay Joe@PracticalCNC.com who tells me a 4 X 8 with a porter cable router is about $7910 US total with downloadable software.
Rob
-------------------- Rob Root Root Cellar Signs Waubaushene, rob@rootcellarsigns.ca
point and click until it works Posts: 55 | From: Waubaushene, Ont. Canada | Registered: Apr 1999
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Oh no! All these Letterheads wanting routers and all the reps are in Atlantic City. Have you checked the Merchant Page? Wouldn't it be great if we could get a special group rate?
-------------------- Steve Shortreed 144 Hill St., E. Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 1G9 519-787-2673
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Thanks for the info on PracticalCNC. I'm going to look into them for some friends in the trade. (Yes, in a good way.) I like the aluminum table concept, although not a new idea, but for affordable CNC's. Maybe can get something good going with the company. Shopbot's table, although very stable, is a heavy steel beast. Once assembled, don't even thin about moving it, unless you have a band of 'merry men' to help, hydrolic lifts and dolly's.
Thanks again.
Kind regards,
Fran
-------------------- Fran Maholland Pro Sign NJ Posts: 169 | From: Voorhees, New Jersey | Registered: Feb 2003
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Well, I ordered the 5x10' practicalCNC, I hope I don't regret it. I didn't get the plasma cutter option.
I am going to build a vacuum table for it. I'll take lots of pictures of the assembly process. It will be shipped in about a week so I'll spend christmas putting it togeter in the shop.
Anyone need a 5' PVC semiconductor process type exhaust hood, some steel vacuum system bases with steel counter tops or a drafting table/desk? I have to clear out a big area in the shop.
ernie
-------------------- Ernie Balch Balch Signs 1045 Raymond Rd Malta, NY 518-885-9899 Posts: 405 | From: Malta, NY | Registered: Jan 2003
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as much as i love my cnc...it certainly isn't the easiest thing to run...you have to remember to change your feed rate with every tool change and z every bit in(no room for error)...i find i have to be pretty alert running it...not waiting til the end of a hectic day when my brain is mush...hell sometimes that happens b4 10am!
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