CNC Question

[Chad74]

If a person wanted to get into this as a hobby, is it feasible? What could someone expect to pay for a decent machine that does good quality work? Not interested in looking at a $100K water jet.
What are some real cost associated with a CNC?

[Raider4044]

Plasma? Laser? Router? Mill? Lathe? What are you going to use it for? Lot of information needed to answer your question.


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[muzzlebrake]

5 axis CNC milling machine start at about $250K
3 axis CNC milling machine start at about $150k
So I was told a few short years ago.
After that you can spend many more K on cutting heads and fixtures.
I decided I didn't want to get into motorcycle head porting.

[Burnadell]

Check with Miket. He is in the business.

[ctom87]

I'm also in. I imagine since OP is talking hobby, he is just talking table top CNC router, possibly for wood. (Or, atleast that's what I have in mind since I'd like this myself.

OP, I googled "Best CNC Router Under $1000" and got some results... If that's what you're looking for. I would also say that they certainly get fancier, can go up to $2,500, or $5,000 and that may still be considered "cheap"... I can't speak to the price of anything else such as software, but I know you can find free software online, but what you will be able to do with it is limited.

Again, this is all based on the very limited research I myself have done. I am in the same boat as you. Don't have one, but interested.

[Drewboy22]

As said above it depends on what you are looking for... If you are looking for a hobby type machine you can drop 2 - 3K on inventables or Shapeoko, both of which are good machines but are limited in size.

Check:

X-Carve

or

Shapeoko

I use the Inventables X-Carve and Mmoses uses the Shapeoko.

Good Luck

[miket]

Plasma? Laser? Router? Mill? Lathe? What are you going to use it for? Lot of information needed to answer your question.


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Exactly. CNC just means computer numerically controlled. Lots of things are computer numerically controlled.

[Chad74]

I’m more interested in cutting metal, i.e. taking a 20”x20” flat metal sheet and cutting a deer head or my family name.
Again, this is a hobby not a business and machines that are $100k and up are not even in the parking lot of the ballpark.

[kparker158]

$12-15k Cnc Plasma table.

We bought a 2014 model 5x10 Cnc Router made from a company in Dallas and I don’t have enough time in the day to get all the custom orders out.

[bboswell]

Exactly. CNC just means computer numerically controlled. Lots of things are computer numerically controlled.

I’m guessing since he compared to a water jet he is thinking either plasma or laser for doing signs etc.

[sendit]

I’m more interested in cutting metal, i.e. taking a 20”x20” flat metal sheet and cutting a deer head or my family name.
Again, this is a hobby not a business and machines that are $100k and up are not even in the parking lot of the ballpark.

You really don't need a CNC machine to a hobbyist cutting metal signs and such. I have done lots and lots of free hand cutting with a plasma and oxy/ace torch. They are extensions of my hands. You will need a hands of a surgeon and some artistic drawing ability and some decent torch skill. Drawing and layout takes me some time but the actual cutting goes quick.

With a CNC you need to know programing and have computer knowledge. IMHO is doesn't take much talent to turn on CNC and cut a bunch of cookie cutter stuff. IF you are going to be in a business then CNC is a must to compete with all the garage plasma guys these days.


Here is some of my hand drawn and hand cut metal work.











My wife loves stars and I bet there are at least 30 or so in different styles and sizes in our back yard. I cut them in my sleep.

[Goldeneagle]

About $300k each.

[Chad74]

About $300k each.

nope

[Chad74]

You really don't need a CNC machine to a hobbyist cutting metal signs and such. I have done lots and lots of free hand cutting with a plasma and oxy/ace torch. They are extensions of my hands. You will need a hands of a surgeon and some artistic drawing ability and some decent torch skill. Drawing and layout takes me some time but the actual cutting goes quick.

With a CNC you need to know programing and have computer knowledge. IMHO is doesn't take much talent to turn on CNC and cut a bunch of cookie cutter stuff. IF you are going to be in a business then CNC is a must to compete with all the garage plasma guys these days.


Here is some of my hand drawn and hand cut metal work.











My wife loves stars and I bet there are at least 30 or so in different styles and sizes in our back yard. I cut them in my sleep.

Cool looking stuff

[mmoses]

Ive looked at their CNC and the plamsa table. might be in your ball park

https://millrightcnc.com/product/mega-v-plasma/