[Gaffboat]

David (difalkner) is a Fusion 360 fan, and makes some great stuff with it. I’ve tested Carbide Create and Easel, and I don’t think they can hold a candle to what you can accomplish with Vectric’s V Carve. Inkscape is a full-featured vector design program that will serve you well. I’ve used Adobe Illustrator as my major vector art program for years, but I find I can create most of my vector art easily with V Carve, as well as create the tool paths, followed by sending the cutting files to my Shark HD. Have fun!

 

[Gaffboat]

Normally I would not discuss money but this forum is about sharing and knowledge. I knew the CNC Router would just be the start of expenses the costs can spiral out of control. For my expenses they do not include software, which can be half the cost of the CNC Router, because I got a startup license from Fusion 360.

So I could have went cheap but I did get a dedicated computer (used) because I did not want my laptop in the dusty environment of the shop. My laptop has my digital life on it and the shop is no place for it. Also I could have scrounged up a few other parts but basically I could not have gone a lot cheaper if I wanted to have a CNC Router and operate it.

My goal for the CNC Router is to embellish my existing work on boxes and other analog made projects. I have seen on forums people think they can make boxes or other projects strictly on the CNC Router. Also good advise for getting a CNC Router is not to buy and see if you have a purpose for it, rather have a purpose for it and then buy it. That may seem simple but in my search to buy I found plenty of people that bought a CNC Router, played around with it and never or hardly ever made anything. HAVE A PURPOSE FOR IT BEFORE BUYING!

Here is a break down of my costs so far.


$3179.86 As of March 11, 2019

I've never totaled up how much I've spent on my CNC, but I've invested a lot on bits alone. Then you add the cost of experimenting with various hold down clamps, touch plates, dust collection, and ... well, you get the picture. It adds up fast (and I'm not I sure I really want to know). But I know all my CNC purchases pale in comparison to my wife's quilting stuff. A cautionary tale for married men: Never encourage your wife to take up quilting unless you have won a major lottery. :wink: