X-Carve as a budget CNC?

[jkelleyrtp]

So 5511 is looking into getting a CNC router and we're pretty much decided that it will be our next tool. We figure a manual mill can wait as we'd rather make our own gussets and custom parts with a computer rather than by hand.

However, being a second year team comes with a few drawbacks and we don't really have much money to spend at the moment making the X-Carve by inventables a decently solid $1500 option. We'll get the deluxe with the Dewalt 611 and upgraded base package. I've looked and a good feed rate seems to be 0.01" at 50 IPM but it seems like some guys have pushed it farther with PID.

We're just about to pull the trigger but I just wanted to see if anyone has had some experience with the machine or any advice with CNC routers. Our mentor says tooling will run us $500 but considering this isn't a true mill, I'm not entirely sure. I'm aware of the X-Carve forums but I wanted to get the FRC outlook first.

[mman1506]

I'm not advocating a xcarve/shapeoko solution. But check out the shapeoko 3 if you have not. It is significantly more rigid.

[asid61]

Tooling for a router should not run you $500. You mainly need clamps and cutters, which won't be more than $200 altogether. However I don't have a whole lot of experience with them, so I can't say what else you would need compared to a standard mill.
You will probably need measuring tools and the like, and that will run you a lot depending on where you buy them.

[RoboChair]

1678 is looking at their router as one option for a CNC small enough to bring in our Pit Boxes, but as with ANY machining tool bigger=BETTER. The price scale on machine tools is almost comical, twice the money can easily get you 3-4 times the machine.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by RoboChair

1678 is looking at their router as one option for a CNC small enough to bring in our Pit Boxes, but as with ANY machining tool bigger=BETTER. The price scale on machine tools is almost comical, twice the money can easily get you 3-4 times the machine.

Oh come on, now you're ripping off Super Pit features before we even implement them

[RoboChair]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Oh come on, now you're ripping off Super Pit features before we even implement them

Take it as a complement of extreme competence! But will yours have a mini fridge?

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by RoboChair

Take it as a complement of extreme competence! But will yours have a mini fridge?

It's had a mini fridge since 2014

We love your roadcases though, super smart. Keep making that magic happen.

[kitare102]

Originally Posted by RoboChair

1678 is looking at their router as one option for a CNC small enough to bring in our Pit Boxes, but as with ANY machining tool bigger=BETTER. The price scale on machine tools is almost comical, twice the money can easily get you 3-4 times the machine.

So here's a question for someone with more experience than me. What would the challenges be to taking an x-carve or similar machine and mounting it vertically such that the axis of the router is horizontal? This would allow a team to have a CNC machine in the pit using much less space.

[RoboChair]

Originally Posted by kitare102

So here's a question for someone with more experience than me. What would the challenges be to taking an x-carve or similar machine and mounting it vertically such that the axis of the router is horizontal? This would allow a team to have a CNC machine in the pit using much less space.

Should be fine assuming it is rigidly mounted to a wall or stand to help prevent twist in the table and making sure that the chips won't pile up on something important. I would NOT do this with a belt driven gantry. Mounting stuff to it might be a bit annoying however.

[cbale2000]

Originally Posted by mman1506

I'm not advocating a xcarve/shapeoko solution. But check out the shapeoko 3 if you have not. It is significantly more rigid.

If only the build volume wasn't like 50% smaller on the shapeoko.

I've been looking into an X-Carve for my team as well. Out of curiosity, does anyone know of any other large format (30"x30" or larger) CNC routers in the sub-$2000 range?

[protoserge]

Originally Posted by cbale2000

If only the build volume wasn't like 50% smaller on the shapeoko.

I've been looking into an X-Carve for my team as well. Out of curiosity, does anyone know of any other large format (30"x30" or larger) CNC routers in the sub-$2000 range?

You can look at OpenRail from OpenBuilds. It is based on aluminum extrusions like 80/20 so it can be sized as needed.

Be very picky of the eBay routers. Ones with linear recirculating ball rails on hardened steel tracks are typically far superior to the other options available.

[AllenGregoryIV]

Originally Posted by cbale2000

I've been looking into an X-Carve for my team as well. Out of curiosity, does anyone know of any other large format (30"x30" or larger) CNC routers in the sub-$2000 range?

We have a ZenbotCNC 24"x48" router. Our initial investment was just a little over $2500. It's been pretty good for us so far but we really haven't stressed tested it too much.

[rstrawsi]

Team 3604 recently purchased an X-Carve with the upgrades you mentioned. PM your email address and we'd be happy to share our experiences (assembled and are getting ready to perform our first projects).

[ttldomination]

Originally Posted by rstrawsi

Team 3604 recently purchased an X-Carve with the upgrades you mentioned. PM your email address and we'd be happy to share our experiences (assembled and are getting ready to perform our first projects).

Would you mind sharing your experiences in this thread?

I'm sure everyone would like to read a first-hand account.

- Sunny G.

[Ryan_Todd]

Originally Posted by rstrawsi

Team 3604 recently purchased an X-Carve with the upgrades you mentioned. PM your email address and we'd be happy to share our experiences (assembled and are getting ready to perform our first projects).

+1 request to share this information right here in this thread! I'd love to hear more details about your experience.