I'm getting close to a purchase decision for my CNC ... and confusion is setting in. Given how many posters are talking about buying a CNC soon, I thought I better enter the discussion.
I'm a one man shop, currently making cutting boards & serving pieces in quantity for sale at craft shows. I'm beginning to do more B to B sales, and have decided it's time to add a CNC to my crowded 2-car garage.
I want a turn key solution. I have a real job in addition to my serious woodworking hobby; I don't have time for a DIY CNC build. I need a minimum 24" x 30" workspace.
I have basic computer skills, but I'm a beginner at CADCAM. On a positive note, I have a mechanical engineer and an operator of a small machine shop in the immediate family, so I have smart people I can call on. On the negative side, I don't know a local woodworker that has a CNC that I can call on for help.
I had all but decided to buy a Probotix: their Linux architecture and small business approach is *very like* the approach of the company I work for in my real job. That's appealing. However, I do question the scale of the operation and available design/training resources. I am looking at their top-of-the-line Nebula, which has a 37" x 50" workspace.
I know there are several Probotix fans in this forum, and I take that as a big positive for that choice.
The new contender for my budget is Legacy's bottom-of-the-line Explorer system, with the expanded 24" x 48" work space. It appears to me that their training program is quite advanced, which I like a lot. Their Utah home - where they host training - is more accessible than Probotix's Florida base. The system seems less well defined to me, though, and the expanded workspace (24" x 48") is still smaller than the Nebula's. I'm not sure that I can buy the bells & whistles I want for the system and keep it under budget.
Budget is $10k for the CNC + software. I'm going to spend a bit more on the shop to move cabinetry, install electrical and perhaps build a small outbuilding for lumber storage. Total cost will be under $12k.
Your thoughts & wisdom will be most appreciated.
I'm a one man shop, currently making cutting boards & serving pieces in quantity for sale at craft shows. I'm beginning to do more B to B sales, and have decided it's time to add a CNC to my crowded 2-car garage.
I want a turn key solution. I have a real job in addition to my serious woodworking hobby; I don't have time for a DIY CNC build. I need a minimum 24" x 30" workspace.
I have basic computer skills, but I'm a beginner at CADCAM. On a positive note, I have a mechanical engineer and an operator of a small machine shop in the immediate family, so I have smart people I can call on. On the negative side, I don't know a local woodworker that has a CNC that I can call on for help.
I had all but decided to buy a Probotix: their Linux architecture and small business approach is *very like* the approach of the company I work for in my real job. That's appealing. However, I do question the scale of the operation and available design/training resources. I am looking at their top-of-the-line Nebula, which has a 37" x 50" workspace.
I know there are several Probotix fans in this forum, and I take that as a big positive for that choice.
The new contender for my budget is Legacy's bottom-of-the-line Explorer system, with the expanded 24" x 48" work space. It appears to me that their training program is quite advanced, which I like a lot. Their Utah home - where they host training - is more accessible than Probotix's Florida base. The system seems less well defined to me, though, and the expanded workspace (24" x 48") is still smaller than the Nebula's. I'm not sure that I can buy the bells & whistles I want for the system and keep it under budget.
Budget is $10k for the CNC + software. I'm going to spend a bit more on the shop to move cabinetry, install electrical and perhaps build a small outbuilding for lumber storage. Total cost will be under $12k.
Your thoughts & wisdom will be most appreciated.