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PJet · 10-01-2007, 07:51 PM

I'm new to CNC and I need a machine that will allow me to cut plastics (probably ABS) and possibly metal eventually.

What type of machine could best fit my needs? And what shoudl I look for? It will be small quantity of pieces at the beginning (4 different pieces, about 50 specimen of each pieces per month)

Budget is an important matter to me and I do not have much knowledge about machining. Still, I need something that will look very professional. Just trying to find a cheapest alternative to subcontracting.

Thanks for your help!

(excuse my English...)

**bobj3** · 10-01-2007, 08:13 PM

Hi PJet

Most lower end CNC machines will cut plastic/ABS and light Alum. but when you say steel Well you'er SOL ,you may want to take a hard look at Laser equipment.

But the words CNC and Budget don't go hand and hand....

We have a member on the forum that makes templates out of plastic and he has the Laser setup,,, the templates he makes he sells on eBay and they are made to put in slots in wood,etc.

If you ask I will try and dig his name up and a picture or two of what he makes..

===============

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJet

I'm new to CNC and I need a machine that will allow me to cut plastics (probably ABS) and possibly metal eventually.

What type of machine could best fit my needs? And what shoudl I look for? It will be small quantity of pieces at the beginning (4 different pieces, about 50 specimen of each pieces per month)

Budget is an important matter to me and I do not have much knowledge about machining. Still, I need something that will look very professional. Just trying to find a cheapest alternative to subcontracting.

Thanks for your help!

(excuse my English...)

**bobj3** · 10-01-2007, 10:25 PM

Hi PJet

Found it , took a bit to find this one ( fordcraftsmanstudios ) his logo stuck in my mind..

http://www.routerforums.com/jigs-fix...4-acrylic.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/Slot-Cutting-Rou...QQcmdZViewItem

You may want to drop him a email he may have the info you need..

http://www.routerforums.com/members/...dios-6085.html

==============

Dr.Zook · 10-02-2007, 01:52 AM

Welcome to the RouterForums PJet. Whats wrong with your English? Looks fine to me.

PJet · 10-02-2007, 12:23 PM

Thanks Bj!

After reviewing some informations, laser is not what I need because it will be exclusively ABS and aluminum that I will be routing.

Here are some more specifications regarding the plastic pieces I will need to process :

1) ABS 0.187po (3/16)

2) Biggest piece size 26po*19po*8po (final dimensions of the finished product, so I expect it to be bigger before the appropriate routing is made but do not have those dimensions...)

For the aluminum pieces, they will be way smaller then the plastic pieces, so the table size will be OK. I will use aluminum 6061 (T6) with 1/4po of thickness.

Any ideas about what I should look for in the first place regarding table size, RPM required, router types, ...

Any suggestions and recommendations to help me get started will be extrreemly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Pat

**bobj3** · 10-02-2007, 01:12 PM

Hi Pat

Here's just some of them,,,you will see many of them on eBay, some new some used in all price ranges

I have the CarveWright system but I don't think it's what you want BUT it's a great machine so you may want to take a look it also..

http://www.carvewright.com/
http://www.carvewright.com/forum/

http://www.torchmate.com/

http://www.buyerzone.com/industrial/...equestid=24156

http://search.ebay.com/search/search...&fsop=1&fsoo=1

===========

PJet · 10-02-2007, 01:28 PM

Thanks!

What I am trying to do in the first place is to gauge my needs. I read that depending on the material we need to cut, we have to consider different router types, RPM, bits, ...

As well, I'm trying to estimate what table size I might need considering that my biggest piece will be 26po*19po*8po (final dimensions of the finished product, so I expect it to be bigger before the appropriate routing is made but do not have those dimensions yet...)

Thanks again!

Pat

**bobj3** · 10-02-2007, 01:44 PM

Hi Pat

Just about any router will do the job ,,,you don't need alot of power they do make router bits for plastic and almost any router bit will cut Alum.
Here's one of the best Mfg. for high end bits for plastic.
http://www.precisebits.com/products/...rch=fromSearch

============

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJet

Thanks!

What I am trying to do in the first place is to gauge my needs. I read that depending on the material we need to cut, we have to consider different router types, RPM, bits, ...

As well, I'm trying to estimate what table size I might need considering that my biggest piece will be 26po*19po*8po (final dimensions of the finished product, so I expect it to be bigger before the appropriate routing is made but do not have those dimensions yet...)

Thanks again!

Pat

PJet · 10-02-2007, 02:36 PM

Hi Bj,

Should I understand that the RPM and router type would not make any difference for my applications?

Pat

**bobj3** · 10-02-2007, 02:51 PM

Hi Pat

That would be my best guess,,, the router in the CarveWright machine I have is only 1HP and it turns at 24,000 rpm..it will take on many bits,(1/4" shank and 1/2" shank ) I don't no if it will do Alum. but I would say it would but I have not tried it..many on the CarveWright forum have use other than wood products for the projects .

===============

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJet

Hi Bj,

Should I understand that the RPM and router type would not make any difference for my applications?

Pat

10-01-2007, 07:51 PM	#1
PJet Registered User New Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 4 View PJet's Gallery	Report This Post! Which CNC for ABS? I'm new to CNC and I need a machine that will allow me to cut plastics (probably ABS) and possibly metal eventually. What type of machine could best fit my needs? And what shoudl I look for? It will be small quantity of pieces at the beginning (4 different pieces, about 50 specimen of each pieces per month) Budget is an important matter to me and I do not have much knowledge about machining. Still, I need something that will look very professional. Just trying to find a cheapest alternative to subcontracting. Thanks for your help! (excuse my English...)
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10-01-2007, 10:25 PM	#3
bobj3 Forum Contributer Supreme Forum King Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Littleton,Colorado U.S.A. Posts: 8,300 View bobj3's Gallery	Report This Post! Hi PJet Found it , took a bit to find this one ( fordcraftsmanstudios ) his logo stuck in my mind.. http://www.routerforums.com/jigs-fix...4-acrylic.html http://cgi.ebay.com/Slot-Cutting-Rou...QQcmdZViewItem You may want to drop him a email he may have the info you need.. http://www.routerforums.com/members/...dios-6085.html ============== __________________ PodCast videos RWS on YouTube http://www.routerforums.com/86898-post1.html Besure and click on the Up Arrow key ▲ on the Youtube video, you can select other youtube videos on router tables http://www.woodworkingonline.com/?s=dovetail Machine Cut ▼ http://www.woodworkingonline.com/200...cut-dovetails/ http://www.woodworkingonline.com/woo...podcast-store/ http://www.woodshopdemos.com/menu2.htm Bob J. Last edited by bobj3; 10-01-2007 at 10:28 PM.
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10-02-2007, 01:52 AM	#4
Dr.Zook Official Greeter Supreme Forum King Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Lebanon, Ohio "USA" First Name: Dave or "Doc" Posts: 4,714 View Dr.Zook's Gallery	Report This Post! Welcome to the RouterForums PJet. Whats wrong with your English? Looks fine to me. __________________ Dave the "Doctor" In woodworking there is no scrap, only firewood. Please edit your profile with a name and location so we can better assist you and make for a friendlier forum.
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10-02-2007, 12:23 PM	#5
PJet Registered User New Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 4 View PJet's Gallery	Report This Post! Thanks Bj! After reviewing some informations, laser is not what I need because it will be exclusively ABS and aluminum that I will be routing. Here are some more specifications regarding the plastic pieces I will need to process : 1) ABS 0.187po (3/16) 2) Biggest piece size 26po19po8po (final dimensions of the finished product, so I expect it to be bigger before the appropriate routing is made but do not have those dimensions...) For the aluminum pieces, they will be way smaller then the plastic pieces, so the table size will be OK. I will use aluminum 6061 (T6) with 1/4po of thickness. Any ideas about what I should look for in the first place regarding table size, RPM required, router types, ... Any suggestions and recommendations to help me get started will be extrreemly appreciated. Thanks in advance! Pat
	Top - Reply with Quote

10-02-2007, 01:12 PM	#6
bobj3 Forum Contributer Supreme Forum King Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Littleton,Colorado U.S.A. Posts: 8,300 View bobj3's Gallery	Report This Post! Hi Pat Here's just some of them,,,you will see many of them on eBay, some new some used in all price ranges I have the CarveWright system but I don't think it's what you want BUT it's a great machine so you may want to take a look it also.. http://www.carvewright.com/ http://www.carvewright.com/forum/ http://www.torchmate.com/ http://www.buyerzone.com/industrial/...equestid=24156 http://search.ebay.com/search/search...&fsop=1&fsoo=1 =========== __________________ PodCast videos RWS on YouTube http://www.routerforums.com/86898-post1.html Besure and click on the Up Arrow key ▲ on the Youtube video, you can select other youtube videos on router tables http://www.woodworkingonline.com/?s=dovetail Machine Cut ▼ http://www.woodworkingonline.com/200...cut-dovetails/ http://www.woodworkingonline.com/woo...podcast-store/ http://www.woodshopdemos.com/menu2.htm Bob J.
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10-02-2007, 01:28 PM	#7
PJet Registered User New Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 4 View PJet's Gallery	Report This Post! Thanks! What I am trying to do in the first place is to gauge my needs. I read that depending on the material we need to cut, we have to consider different router types, RPM, bits, ... As well, I'm trying to estimate what table size I might need considering that my biggest piece will be 26po19po8po (final dimensions of the finished product, so I expect it to be bigger before the appropriate routing is made but do not have those dimensions yet...) Thanks again! Pat
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10-02-2007, 02:36 PM	#9
PJet Registered User New Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 4 View PJet's Gallery	Report This Post! Hi Bj, Should I understand that the RPM and router type would not make any difference for my applications? Pat
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