CNC Routers

[eugene@signmakershc.com]

What type of CNC router do you have? Would you recommend it for purchase? Do You have an automatic tool changer? Is it worth the cost?

[Erik Sine]

I have a shopbot, wish I had a tool changer but I'm content with what I have. Whoever you choose, make sure their techs are always easily available to help you out. Every time I call I get someone, also the shopbot community itself is huge and helpful with a large populated forum.

Some of those regular CNC manufacturer's are late in getting back to you and not easily available to their users.

I would find someone in my area for whichever manufacturer you go with and visit them in person, ask them a lot of questions, find a lot of users.

[geraldi]

I have an AXYZ 5 x 10 ft. 10 HP HSD spindle with vac hold down. Had it for 6 years and no problems. I don't have an auto tool changer and don't really miss it since I just cut flat materials for signage.

I would reccomend the vac. hold down though. If you have a limited budget, I would go with less router and get the vaccum hold down. You get better material yeild, you can cut faster and cleaner and it's just a lot easier.

Get a mister attachment if you plan to cut a lot of aluminum. You get much better cuts (smoother edges) and the bits last a lot longer. At $30.00 each, that means something.

Edited October 7, 2009 by geraldi

[eugene@signmakershc.com]

Highvoltage,

Do you have a router or a high frequency spindle? What about hold down?

[Erik Sine]

Highvoltage,

Do you have a router or a high frequency spindle? What about hold down?

I Have a 3HP Colombo HF Spindle. I would recommend against a router since the sign game has a lot of aluminum in play and you can adjust your speeds accordingly to your material being cut, and it's quiter.

A Vacuum hold down is nice, I don't have one. I use Carpet tape for that. A lot of times I will use down spiral bits on plastics so I can use less tape and the material is pressed down at the point of the bit and not up.

Since my sacrificial board is MDF I opted not to use my mister kit (wanna buy one? ) and bought a Vortex cool air gun which changes the ambient temp -100 degrees and hits my router bits at the cutting point to keep them cool, giving them longer life and creating a better edge on the material I'm cutting.

I'm very happy with my Shopbot CNC, it does a lot more than I will ever use it for.

Other things you will/might need along with your CNC, or have not factored in for additional costs

• Correct Service panel size
  
• Air filter above the CNC
  
• Dust collector
  
• Computer & software
  
• Cool air gun or mister
  
• 2 phase/3phase
  
• 2 Stage Compressor
  

Other than that, I would highly recommend getting one, it will change how you do business. It sure did for me. It's one of those things like an iphone, you wonder how the hell you got around before you ever had one.

Good Luck!