[Bullitt5094]

I am considering a new toy. A Bob's CNC Router. Bobs CNC My wife says my Hobby is collecting Hobbies. And this will not be used for any mass production but will certainly be used for my speaker experimentation. I respect you folks opinion's on this DIY hobby and I was just curious if any of you have any experience with this manufacture or any advice on what CNC machine makes sense for a hobbyist just wanting to learn.

[Peter J]

I imagine I come from a somewhat different place but I read a lot and asked a bunch of questions before purchasing. Even then it was a little daunting and I felt like I didn't know what I didn't know.  I was green as grass when it came to CNC routers, so I've kinda stood where you are.

I picked up a few things initially that make more sense to me now.

CNC Machines don't print money or make a successful business by themselves, assuming that's any concern. They only do things you tell them to. IMHO, the deep end of the pool is telling it what to do...learning software and nuance of motion control. It's not a matter of just plugging in some numbers and out pops a thing.

I know it's hard to project at this point, but having an idea of what you'd like to do with it will help guide your buying decision.

Precision and repeatability on a machine like you've posted will not be high. Maybe not factor, but again, what you'd like to have as an end result is somewhat important.

For me, the most intriguing, frustrating and rewarding part is programming. Once the cut file is loaded and you've pressed "go", the proof of your work unfolds as you watch, sometimes painfully.

[Bullitt5094]

Peter, you've summed it up pretty well. I do not intend to make this a business. I do crazy hobbies just to learn. I got into Drag Racing and was really a sort of pioneer in programming ECC cars to go fast. I was doing this prior to companies such as SCT even existed. I love the mechanical "edge" of things too. Building RC Helicopters from a pile of parts and actually have them fly. RC Planes when there was only one channel to control them. You get the idea.

But that said, I don't want to buy junk either. I'm not going to make PC boards with this, but I don't want to be frustrated with the quality either. Your, and others input is greatly appreciated.

Bottom line, I'm looking at this as simply a learning experience.

[Peter J]

Despite all the advertising hype that companies deliver about "buy your second machine first" I looked at it as an experiment.

 Bought a small refurbished machine to kinda test the water and see if I wanted to pursue on a bigger scale. I needed to know if my fascination was more than fleeting and also define what parameters of performance I would find important in a second machine. Nothing quite like "boots on the ground" experience  as a teacher.

We're similar in that the learning part is much of the whole thing and in this case, the pool of knowledge and possibilities seem endless. Once embracing and experiencing CNC, my immediate thought was, "this is so cool".  I've looked at everything from plasma cutters to laser engravers to plotters to 3D printers. All of which use similar movement strategy and, I'm sure, more challenges than I could exhaust in my lifetime.

New stuff is just plain fun to experiment with and experience, yeah?

I've said to many: "I hope to learn something as I gasp my last breath".

From my vantage point, I say go for it. I do think you might find limitations of that machine right out of the chute, but maybe it's not important and I'm certain one  can't completely know that on the front end.

[HT cOz]

I've looked at the Bob's CNC machines and was impressed with the value.  He has a great community and support structure.  It seemed like an ideal beginner system.

[FullRangeMan]

I bought 1m alu bar 70mm wide and ordered cut and polishing at a local lathing workshop.
Cost me around $20 per cone if I remember well, the blur was a bad varnish service.

[Norman Tracy]

Personally I would add another $800 to get metal construction and screw feeds.

http://www.cncrouterparts.com/benchtop-standard-2424-2-x-2-cnc-machine-kit-p-369.html



Of course I always talk myself into going 40% over the planned budget. If wife can do it on the kitchen, I can do it on the tools.

[HT cOz]

Personally I would add another $800 to get metal construction and screw feeds.

http://www.cncrouterparts.com/benchtop-standard-2424-2-x-2-cnc-machine-kit-p-369.html



Of course I always talk myself into going 40% over the planned budget. If wife can do it on the kitchen, I can do it on the tools.

That looks even better!  I would love to be in this hobby.  I used a lot of CNC in my last speaker build but contracted it out.  Having control over the unit and the freedom to build at will would be great.  In my project additional precision would have been good as it means less sanding in the end. 

[Bullitt5094]

Personally I would add another $800 to get metal construction and screw feeds.

http://www.cncrouterparts.com/benchtop-standard-2424-2-x-2-cnc-machine-kit-p-369.html



Of course I always talk myself into going 40% over the planned budget. If wife can do it on the kitchen, I can do it on the tools.

That is very interesting. Unfortunately the $1800 price doesn't include the electronics which will set you back another $1550.00. But it remains under consideration.
And LOL about the wife thing. I TOTALLY understand. But my wife also adds this comment to my purchase authorization request... "is that the best one they have? Because you KNOW you'll want that one eventually." She knows me too well... 

[Creative cut designs]

I own a pro48x96 cnc from cncrouterparts.com i love my machine and vcarve software is very user friendly if i can figure it out anyone can i feel

[PnoT]

I was looking at some inexpensive ($150) 3 axis 3018 to get my feet wet and find out whether my creativity is worth a more expensive device.

The AVID you posted does indeed look good and I've seen a few videos on them as well but one guy was in the $5000 range when all was said and done!  I'm guessing a device of that price would be for making money and not just a hobby?

[Bullitt5094]

I've purchased and am in the process of assembling the Bob's E4. I'm also getting proficient with Autodesk Fusion 360 which is free and I'm finding very powerful even on the free version. I'm using Estlcam for the GCode sender. Quite a learning curve I have to admit! But I'm thoroughly enjoying it. Now I'm wondering if there are some DXT files out there for some of the GR builds.