The REAL cost of a CNC machine - PART 2

The REAL cost of a CNC machine. In Part 1 I covered the first 4 cost categories of owning a CNC beyond the machine itself, including some hidden costs you may not think of starting out in the hobby. In Part 2 I detail the remaining 6 categories and reveal the full costs across all 10 categories. All that costs are available in spreadsheet form below:

0:00 - Intro
0:44 - Waste Board
4:00 - Controller
5:02 - Software
9:08 - Dust Collection
10:39 - Stand/Desk
12:03 - Miscellaneous
17:30 - Final, Final Costs
21:03 - Wrap Up
23:12 - BLOOPERS

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[ClintonCaraway-CNC]

These videos are fantastic. I've been involved the hobbyist cnc community for about three years and this is the first (or actually second 😁) video I've EVER SEEN that tells the truth about the actual cost of running a cnc. I originally purchased a used Shapeoko 3 CNC for $1, 500 in 2018. After upgrades and other unforeseen cost have easily $25, 000 into the hobby. I'm now using a Shapeoko XXL Pro with 2.2kw spindle, dust collection, air blast and vaccum clamping. However the investment is totally worth it if you are dedicated because the products you can produce can repay your investment 10x!!

[robertoortega]

These two videos are GREAT, I didn't find anyone that tells the truth about the global investment of having and operating a "Hobby" CNC. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. This information will be extremely useful to me.

[dennismacwilliams]

What great work on the cost !
Thank you for your time and effort.

[dreman]

Great series of videos! Yes, to the waste board video.

[QGrafx]

as far as the computer goes $599 at low end laptop for $500 i built an 8 core fx8350 amd build running 4.0ghz on a 990fx sabertooth r2 with 32 gb ram with a GTX 780sc and its watercooled to calm the temps i get here in AZ. i have a toy cnc 3018 running on an 8gb machine with no graphics card and it struggles especially if im having to make a quick code on it. I found 16 gb is good but 32gb is bulletproof. i chose thisa machine because as a modeller/animator i build one in 2011 and its still going strong today. the military grade mosfets are a big advantage. but my pricelisty was af follows for 9014 builld. $1200 frame, $1000 shipping for frame. Gecko g540 control system custom built by e-dealers direct with ESS, enclosures spindle, vfd, cables about $3200. 4th axis $120 PC $500 Heavy steel table for it $1200 and theres some other stuff here and there such as for soldering and connectors for accessories so my total build is about $80 36" x 56" x 4" cutting area.

[bbbbbbbbbbbdghRStrJA]

I am usually not leaving comments... great video! Found it always strange when people say they have a CNC for 500 or so 😂 I am not sure how much I spend for mine, but all together, probably 4000£ if I would count my time then easily 10 000£ but something similar from avid CNC would be 23.000£ so like you said depends what you need. The only thing I disagree is the computer. I brought one for 89£ refurbished i7 CPU ssd, etc, from Ebay. (May help someone).

[santanulahiri]

Great job summarizing the actual cost of running a hobby cnc. The one thing I would object to is the dust capture setup, mid-tier. The pricing is correct, but, as a woodworker myself, I can vouch for the fact that the standard bags that come with a lot of those systems leave a lot to be desired. Mine allowed fine dust to escape, either through the mouth of the bag or even through the sides, and every time I started up the motor, there would be an explosion of fine dust that would then float in the air and eventually settle over everything else in the room. I got so sick of it, I eventually traded up to a cyclone. I would not recommend that here, but actually the low end small cyclones like the Oneida dust deputy or the Dewalt system you showed will, I believe, work better in conjunction with a shopvac. But you do need to clean them out frequently.

[shairan]

Regarding to the Onefinity CNC machine, There is also $99 shipping cost, tax around $90 and $70 transaction fee (since it is arriving from Canada). The real cost of just the machine is more like $2200

[jimjennings]

I would be interested in you making a wast boards video

[conrob]

Fantastic work, In for a penny in for a pound. I've got the Onefinity and I've always guessed at what I had invested in my setup. I think your dead on with the cost, the only other thing to mention is that these prices are USD so when figuring out your cost if your Canadian you price goes up dramatically. Great video Thanks

[charlietuna]

I was hoping you were going to cover the enlarged touch screen (if that's what you're using) cost, benefits etc .

[jeanlambert]

Waste board for the Onefinity video please ! Thx

[QGrafx]

here is a tip many of the software programs have free unlimited student software. if you or your child has a school based email address. ALL autodesk software is available through educational license. and the pay version of easel is available for free with an educational account which includes better toolpaths, pegging for larger than bed size jobs and way more clipart. 2HP dust collector at harbor freight for $209 and its 1/3 the cost of other 1 hp models.

[stevecowley]

You didn't mention a monitor, which you have on the left side of the machine. What are you using, and does it have to be a touch screen if you use the game controller. Great video by the way and thanks

[mliano]

Hi, where do I can buy the 1/8” collet for the Mikita router? Thanks 🙏🏼

[TheOttacat]

I think it's a bit skewed when you add in the computer. Most people will have one before buying a CNC and I cannot seeing anyone buying one because they are getting a CNC. I do like that it does show that most of the add-ons can be done quite successfully at reasonable cost.