epic newbie CNC comparison chart
After inquiring around about prices for lasers, I’m coming to the realization that maybe what I need isn’t a laser but a CNC rig. I’m lucky to live near enough to Techshop that making the occasional drive up there is doable, but not a sustainable ongoing possibility with my family time needs. So take a look at the research I’ve done into who the top contenders for desktop CNC could be for an almost total n00b to the sport.
Alright, so I know the G-code exists and that most every interesting machine that I want to work with understands how to work with that, so now it’s up to me to complete the equation. This list isn’t meant to be exhaustive, and by no means am I an expert on the topic, but based on what I could digest from their websites, this is what I took away from it all. When I priced things to be as ready to run as possible starting with no previous equipment, here’s the ballpark figures:
| machine | x | y | z | priced ready to run |
notes | link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIY! | ? | ? | ? | $100 to $1,000 |
while the price may be right, the time and skill involved just don’t make this an attractive option for me right now. Don’t let my schedule and skill stop YOU though. | click here |
| Lumenlab MicRo | 10″ | 12″ | 2.75″ | ~$2,143 + software |
I’ve known this company since I made my LCD projector, so it was interesting to see them move into this arena. Honestly, though, details are sparse. Their blog about the build is just weird. Make a formal demo video, guys. | click here |
| Probotix FireBall V90 | 12″ | 18″ | 3″ | $1,174 + router + software |
This inexpensive unit won an award at the Maker Faire Austin, so that seems to bode well. There seem to be a lot of parts that you can add on, which seems to indicate that it’s not as turnkey as I’m looking for. If you already have steppers and are looking for a solid new gantry bed, maybe this would work well for you. That’s just not me yet. | click here |
| Buildyourcnc.com’s bluechick cnc | 12″ | 24″ | ? | $1,465 + router + software |
If you have more time than money, this unit seems like a *stellar* system to check out. The fit and finish isn’t the point here, it’s inexpensive and customizable. | click here |
| Buildyourcnc.com’s blacktoe cnc | 24″ | 48″ (!) | 5 7/8″ (!!) | $2,300 + tools + software |
Holy crap, look at that. Bad. Ass. I don’t know where else you’ll find that big of a CNC rig for that price. Now, it requires a lot of assembly, but their extensive library of videos on that topic should help. I’ve been studying this machine all week and I’m drooling over how nice it seems. It can accommodate a real router, not just a trim router. It’s huge. And cheap. | click here |
| Next Wave Automation’s Shark cnc | 13″ | 24″ | 4.5″ | $2,800 all inclusive |
This unit comes in a bit more expensive than the others, but three things I like about it. 1. it ships ready to run with software, 2. assembly apparently consists of 12 bolts, period. 3. Rockler sells it, so that probably means it’s a high quality tool. | click here |
| Next Wave Automation’s Shark Pro cnc | 24″ | 24″ | 4.25″ | $3,800 all inclusive |
This unit is the bigger version of the above unit. the extra $1,000 gets you almost twice the width and apparently “more power”. It also ships with software and presumably is the same 12 bolt assembly. The reviews I read for the smaller unit were all positive with one person saying “I just wish I’d gotten the bigger one” which makes me just wonder if I’d end up there too. If you’re in for $2,800 … I dunno. maybe. | click here |
| Craftsman Compucarve Woodcraft CarveWright |
12 feet! | 14.5″ | 5″ | $1,500 to $1,900 |
These are somewhat intriguing. I’m a little skeptical of the feed table, but maybe it’s ok. I dunno. I just… don’t know. These do have some built-in functions like cross cut, rip, and jointing. And a proprietary, but nice, quick tool change technology. Reviews seem mixed. Update: No G-Code import of any kind, and no plans to add that. So it’s a closed system with their own bits and software. Definitely a carving-centric hobby machine. | click here |
These prices assume you already have a computer… duh. And they don’t really take the cost of software into consideration, which is probably ok because there are a lot of software packages out there so I’ve heard. They do different things and cost different amounts of money… so it’s hard to factor it in easily. The other thing I haven’t factored in here is speed. And because I’m inexperienced, I don’t really know how to gauge that, other than to see that the Blacktoe is fast as hell. Ok, so I get that these machines all have an “inch per minute” speed rating… I would suspect it would also depend on 1. your router, 2. your gcode, and 3. the material you’re milling… so given those parameters, what does “high speed traverse” mean? Just how fast the machine does what it needs to do when it’s not doing a cutting maneuver? That’s my best guess.
So, those are the current contenders. Did I miss anything substantial? Leave a comment and let’s get it on the chart.
WAY too early to announce version 4 « seqr of knowledge:
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26 March 2010, 11:55 pm