Cheapish CNC machine

[cadandcookies]

Originally Posted by dirtbikerxz

why is routakit better than xcarver or shapeko3?

Take a look at the construction and specs:

X-Carve:
DeWalt DW611 Router (or choice)
140 oz-in NEMA 23 steppers (or 60 oz-in NEMA 17 steppers)
Arduino with g-shield
Lead Screw or Threaded Rod z-axis
Max 31" x 31" x 2.55" work area
0.075-0.13 mm resolution
GT2 belts (pitch not specified, assumed 2mm)
~$1400 fully loaded

Shapeoko 3:
Router not included (DW611 recommended)
120 oz-in NEMA 23 steppers
Proprietary electronics
Belt-driven Z-axis
Max 16" x 16" x 3" work area
No apparent claims on resolution/accuracy
GT2 2mm pitch belts
$999

Routakit SD (no upgrades):
600W spindle
175 oz-in NEMA 23 steppers
PlanetCNC controller (which one not specified on page)
Ball Screw z-axis
Max 59.1" x 59.1" x 4" work area (30" x 30" x 4" default)
Repeatability 0.025 - 0.05 mm
Accuracy +/- 0.127 mm
9mm wide, 3mm pitch GT2 belting
$1799

Routakit SDX (what GOFIRST is looking at)
1500W spindle
30" x 15" x 4" work area
SDX upgrade for greater rigidity
$2179

We're looking at it for somewhat similar uses to what I expect a team would want-- the most intense thing we expect to cut is maybe occasional 1/4" aluminum, but mostly 1/8" or polycarbonate. I haven't heard good things about cutting aluminum on an X-carve, and the Shapeoko doesn't have the work area we want. It might not be the right option for someone else, but it seems to be the closest to right for us, given our budget, without spending a lot of time designing our own (and, to be honest, we're probably going to mod the crap out of anything we get anyways, because we're all tinkerers).