Best CNC Router for the Money

[Ken Maxwell]

OK, here is my question, in a few months I'm going to take the plunge and buy a CNC router. I have seen the Rockler Shark but I was wondering about what is the best bang for your buck. I want to be able to do about a 24" x 36" but it can be a bit smaller. I just want some input and other places to compare and some input into support. I would like a turnkey not a kit. Google has not been much help so I thought I would try here. I have CNC programming experience and they look like they would be a great tool to have to add to my Laser. Thanks for all the help.

[Bruce Page]

Ken, this thread has some good info in it:
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthre...Affordable-CNC...

[Kurt Rosenzweig]

Shopbot and Camaster would be my choices. I currently have a Shopbot and it does everything I could ask. Matter of fact I'm thinking of a 2nd to keep up with production. The support is 2nd to none.

[Andy Birko]

Before you can get any good responses you really need to figure out what you want to accomplish with the machine. Will you be making signs? Multi sided objects? etc.. I looked at the shark which a lot of people really like but, it won't do what I need.

[Ken Maxwell]

The Shopbot looks like a really nice machine. I have CNC programming experience. Signs are where I want to start but 3D signs and plaques and other objects are also what I want to do. I want to get a good enough machine so in a year I wont have to replace it.

[Michael Simpson Virgina]

If you are looking at production work then then you need to look at production machines. The shark is a hobby machine. If you are looking at this from the buisness side then you should not even consider a machine that cant run at least 8 hours a day, 5-6 days a week.

[james mcgrew]

it is obvoius why i choose the camaster, it does cost more gives a lot more and holds value. oh i guess i should mention it does the job as well!!

support and owners

[Michael Simpson Virgina]

Honastly All the money I put into my laser and accesories, I could have purchased a Camaster 408. Wish I had.

[Brad Knight]

"For the money"... that's the rub. I mean you can dump 6 figures on a machine and do a lot or you can spend a couple thousand and accomplish nearly the same thing only slower and probably not nearly as accurately... and not for nearly as long. So, if you're only going to use it for a short period of time, and aren't looking for accuracy or anything like that, then something like the shark would be better 'for the money'.

For my money, I went with a welded steel frame, big heavy beefy components, industrial style controller and the support of people like Jim here... I did sacrifice speed and size to a degree. I didn't go with a servo machine or the full 4x8 size... I also didn't spend $30,000 on my machine either.

So I guess my point is that 'for the money' is really subjective. I'm happy with the product I got for my money. 'For the money' for me meant quite a bit more money, but I don't think I would have been able to say that about the shark even though it's less than a 3rd of what I paid for mine.

[Mick A Martin]

"For the money"... that's the rub. I mean you can dump 6 figures on a machine and do a lot or you can spend a couple thousand and accomplish nearly the same thing only slower and probably not nearly as accurately... and not for nearly as long. So, if you're only going to use it for a short period of time, and aren't looking for accuracy or anything like that, then something like the shark would be better 'for the money'.

For my money, I went with a welded steel frame, big heavy beefy components, industrial style controller and the support of people like Jim here... I did sacrifice speed and size to a degree. I didn't go with a servo machine or the full 4x8 size... I also didn't spend $30,000 on my machine either.

So I guess my point is that 'for the money' is really subjective. I'm happy with the product I got for my money. 'For the money' for me meant quite a bit more money, but I don't think I would have been able to say that about the shark even though it's less than a 3rd of what I paid for mine.

I agree you pay for what you get ........ buy your send machine the first time otherwise you spend twice as much.

[Ross Moshinsky]

I agree you pay for what you get ........ buy your send machine the first time otherwise you spend twice as much.

I don't mean to be rude, but I roll my eyes every time someone says that. It's like you're discrediting people who are able to buy raw materials and end up with a finished product. There are plenty of DIY CNC machines which rival commercial units for a fraction of the cost.

[Mick A Martin]

I don't mean to be rude, but I roll my eyes every time someone says that. It's like you're discrediting people who are able to buy raw materials and end up with a finished product. There are plenty of DIY CNC machines which rival commercial units for a fraction of the cost.

What I mean is buy, build ....... the best machine you can afford, buy the best parts, if you skimp you will only end up redoing it.

[james mcgrew]

i caught micks mispell this am, i believe what he meant to say was "purchase your second cnc first" having spent a small fortune in learning curves i absolutly agree with this, i am a large fan of individual fabrication and came real close to attempting to build the end user commercial unit i would eventually need and am absolutly greatfull i did not do it.

[Ken Maxwell]

I want to buy something that I can use in a production setting. The goal is to be able to use it everyday and as I am able to grow and maybe make it a full time business not have to trash it. I'm trying to stay in the 7-8k range and be about a 24" x 36" table capacity.

[Ken Maxwell]

ok, I think its between Shopbot and Camaster Stinger. Can I get feedback on pros and cons between the 2. Im leaning towards Camaster. I think a spindle over the router is a much better plan too. If nothing else just for less noise. It might be $1800 but it might be money well spent.