CNC router

[Nate E]

I know little to nothing of these machines but would like to. I am interested in doing a bit more cellular PVC fabrication than I currently do. I feel CNC would be a necessity to expand and become more accurate.

What sort of machines are folks using for this kind of work? Who sells this sort of thing? What sort of costs are we looking at here?

Thanks much,
Nate

[MarkMc]

10k might get you going or may be too much or way too little; cellular PVC fabrication can cover a whole lot of ground as can 16' relative to 5'. Linear motion [size] carries a price, as does the 3rd and 4th axis.

[dave_k]

Nate,

The cost of an industrial CNC varies from around $10k to well over $100k. The cost varies as to the capacity of the machine, the number of Axis it works on, the tool holder, clamping system, software, compressed air needs. It depends on what you want to do and how much of it you need to produce.

There are hundreds of manufacturers out there eager to help you spend money. Thermwood http://www.thermwood.com/ is a good place to start looking and learning. I appears they have a free ebook on CNC routers on their site. There is also a very large used market http://www.usedcncrouters.com/Default.aspx?refcatid=RC

If I wanted to get some CNC machining done I would consider jobbing the work out. There are a lot of guys out there that own these machines and aren't using them to full capacity. Thermwood has a list as part of their ecabinet software and you can always ask at woodweb if anyone is interested in doing some work. I know guys who email there cut lists to the CNC fabricator and pick up their cab parts the next day.

[LIHR50]

"If I wanted to get some CNC machining done I would consider jobbing the work out"

I agree with Dave, I have great sources for CNC machining of anything, routing/water jet,, and the pricing is very reasonable. I have a designer (niece) who draws up anything I want and then I just pass on the specs on a disk or e-mail to the shop. I just did this recently to have something made up.

You're in Jersey and I bet you have shops within a stones throw from you

[dldecker]

I have a small cnc 25 x 36 cutting surface from camaster.com , the stinger I

they start around $6000 and go up fast when you expand to a 4 x 8 cutting surface, $16,000 then you add options a decent one will be about $25,000. With options like tool changers and vacuum hold down system you are looking $35-$50,000.

Are they worth it, they can be and open up a lot of options for wood working.

[shag_fu]

If you dont have any experience with one, I would start small. Instructables.com has some you can make for as little as $20. Granted it wont cut anything larger than a greeting card, but you will get an idea of what will meet your needs as well as some of the potential problems when scaling up.