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Hobby CNC thread.
So I'm considering buying a benchtop CNC router. Probably a Shapeoko 3 or an X-Carve.
I've done some CNC machining before, but it was 10 years ago in college, and I had professional grade equipment and software.
So I'm looking for recommendations and advice from people who might have one already. I mainly want to do 2-D machining of Fiberglass and carbon fiber. But I'd like the capability to do 3-D machining as well (3-axis) and will probably also work with wood and plastics.
Will the machines I'm considering work for what I want to do?
And what should I be looking at in terms of software. I know Shapeoko and X-carve both come with software but it seems pretty limited, so I'd like something better.
I'm considering Mach 3 for controller software and MeshCAM or Vectric Cut3d for CAM software. Not sure what to do about CAD though, there doesn't seem to be anything at a decent price point between free, heavily limited tools, and stuff like Solidworks and AutoCAD which runs thousands of dollars per license.
My overall budget is probably $2,000 when I get my year-end bonus. It could end up being as much as $3,000, but I won't know that for sure til I get it.
Basically does anyone have any advice/suggestions on getting into this? Would appreciate it.
So I'm considering buying a benchtop CNC router. Probably a Shapeoko 3 or an X-Carve.
I've done some CNC machining before, but it was 10 years ago in college, and I had professional grade equipment and software.
So I'm looking for recommendations and advice from people who might have one already. I mainly want to do 2-D machining of Fiberglass and carbon fiber. But I'd like the capability to do 3-D machining as well (3-axis) and will probably also work with wood and plastics.
Will the machines I'm considering work for what I want to do?
And what should I be looking at in terms of software. I know Shapeoko and X-carve both come with software but it seems pretty limited, so I'd like something better.
I'm considering Mach 3 for controller software and MeshCAM or Vectric Cut3d for CAM software. Not sure what to do about CAD though, there doesn't seem to be anything at a decent price point between free, heavily limited tools, and stuff like Solidworks and AutoCAD which runs thousands of dollars per license.
My overall budget is probably $2,000 when I get my year-end bonus. It could end up being as much as $3,000, but I won't know that for sure til I get it.
Basically does anyone have any advice/suggestions on getting into this? Would appreciate it.
