Thinking about getting into CNC

[wbefield]

I've been thinking about this for a couple of months now. Not looking to make any money with it or anything like that. Just for fun.

Couple of questions:
Anyone have any experience with the Fireball x90 Cnc Router?
http://probotix.com/FireBall_X90_desktop_cnc_router/
Looks like all I would need to get it running is spindle, end mills, and a pc. Am I forgetting anything?

What are some good sources for Carbon Fiber sheets?

[tauscnc]

Hey William,

That looks like a neat machine. The cutting foot print on it is 18"x18" but don't take that as the full cutting areas. You can minus 1/2 to 1 in off of that for mounts, etc. unless you are planning on mounting with vacuum table, double side tape, etc.

Carbon fiber cutting is messy, make sure you have good ventilation. Use "fishtale routers" or the routers used to cut tiles, grout. Endmills won't work as well.

I have a lot of info on my site www.cuttingedgecnc.com and info on starting up. I am just like you, doing it for fun.

Do you have any machining experience?
CAD experience?

For the spindle they are using a Colt router which is fine (I use that on my router).

Check out K2CNC also.
Check out Vcentric VCarve Pro (simply the best IMO)

Get the largest machine you can afford so you have the extra working space.

Talk soon,
tauseef

[wbefield]

Originally Posted by tauscnc

Hey William,
Do you have any machining experience?
CAD experience?
f

Thanks man for the pointers. I do not have any experience with either. I'm going to learn it the same way I did helicopters. One day at a time

[skray775]

Take some time and stop by cnczone.com and read up on anything before you buy.

[wbefield]

I've been keeping an eye on cnczone and also subscribed to the Probotix forum on yahoo. I'm not quite ready to pull the trigger on the CNC yet, but that's fine because there is so much info to take in.

[Suburban92]

I would buy an older cnc mill.. even a 2 axis is fine. Routers I guess will cut things but a decent mill can not be beat.

You can buy a haas vf1 cheap or an old eztrax by bridgeport

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717

[kc8qpu]

Look into your local Community College for some CNC Machining classes and Programming classes. I for one would push you more towards a class as you will learn all the basics and the proper way to cut and program things. They usually will show you a few little tips and tricks to things too. Not to mention you will earn the knowledge and a legit document showing you are qualified. Who knows could open up a whole new career for you.