Buying the WRONG CNC Router will cost you THOUSANDS.

Buying a CNC is a big decision. This video will make that decision easier and give you a lot to consider before you invest.

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[GroundedConceptsLLC]

Avid fan of your channel. Subbed to your Discord feed. You are a true ally in the constantly growing CNC community. Love the channel and content. Don’t know how you manage everything from building, selling, content creation and editing, networking. I am humbled and respect your dedication. Much love brother!

[DanDanTheMattressMan]

I've been down a huge youtube rabbit hole this past week while looking for my first CNC. Love your videos, thanks for such great content!

[FCreationsNJ]

Self evaluation is very important in any large tool decision. I'd love a 4x8, water cooled spindle CNC.. But the reality of it is I don't need it lol. Space is tight in my garage, and for me this is a hobby, and will be for a very long time.

[AllenHorn]

Louisville guy here… love the video and content Andy! I’m on the fence about opening a woodworking shop in Lebanon/Campbellsville area 😊 your videos inspire me sir! Thank you for the hard work and dedication that you put into creating them! I have no previous experience, but I’m tired of working for the corporate world!

[woodknotts]

I spent over 5k on my machine 8 yrs ago and have only spent 500.00 since replacing my controller with a factory upgrade & other than that everything else has been bits & Vectric software I got my money out of it 20 fold and its still running strong !!!!

[mikegoetzdroneshots]

I am new to CNC (about a year) and your channels content has been so helpful getting started. I've used Carbide Create sofware since the beging, and just switched to pro so I can run some 3D projects. My VEVOR 4030 CNC is a full ball screw machine, it has linear rails also and it was only $750.00. I wouldn't reccomend this machine to anyone (unless you just want to obtain it for some good parts)!! I've gotten 2 machines from them (for the price of the one) both were terrible and always missed steps on the Y axis to the point were the machine was unusable. I changed one machine to closed loop stepper motors that can't miss any steps. Now I have a machine with great hardware (ball screws, linear rails), and perfectly operating stepper motor system for about $1, 000.00. I am currently converting the 2nd machine to the closed loop stepper motor system. I am going to end up with 2 full 4030 ball screw CNC machines for about $1, 500.00 in parts.

[dannydowns]

I run a commercial CNC router job shop and in my opinion Andy is giving very good advice and information in this video.

[rbmustang]

Andy, being a retired machinist, I totally agree with you as you compare a 3 to 15K machine. I've run all types of manual and some CNC machines in my career, and some are much better quality and it's easy to see the difference when your running them. But to get my foot in the door of this new venture, a 3K Shapeoko looks good to me. Thanks for creating this video series.

[vacavapes]

For under $3k you can get a 1515 QueenAnt pro v2 from Yuyong industries. Ball screws, 2.2kw water cooled spindle, linear rails, hybrid 3.6N.m stepper motors.

[Woodworking]

Don’t get caught up in size. Ask yourself what you’ll use the CNC for. I build custom furniture, jigs, housewares and all kinds of cool one-offs and I rarely exceed 36”x48”. I would advise to spend more on quality components on a smaller machine. Probotix, ShopSabre, CAMaster, AVID, all make affordable, industrial machines in small footprints that will eat wood all day long.

[markduerr]

Thanks for your comments, pros and cons and not trying to over support one over the other just giving out information to those guys like me who have a ton of tools I can make just about anything but I don’t have a CNC machine I’ve been wanting one for quite a while so I’m doing some heavy duty shopping.

[cpowerdesign]

I just bought a 3018 ProVER to play around with until I can afford to build a bigger machine. I'm waiting on new bits and collets to show up for it. I know there are flaws with this machine, but for the price I got it for I could not have built it that cheap. I do plan on changing things on this machine after I learn how to use it.

[theodordimov]

You can absolutely get a ballscrew system in the 3k CNC market and it has been the case for a while

[kraigrichard]

A comparison that's missing is tolerances. Which machine is going to do the best job. I'm looking at generating a mold for a human face. Who's got the best working machine to pull tolerances.
After getting to the dust part and requirements, that put me off, so thanks, Now if I was still considering a purchase, It seems that the companies would have some trial software to practice on. Is it worth learning on a free version to see if you are going to "get it" or not.
Generating a 3D from a photo is something I've looked into. It wasn't quite beyond me but at my age and sanity level, It would certainly be a lengthy learning curve. If you ever touch on a 3D project from a photo, I'd be all ears.
Thanks much for your very well put together works. Lighting camera ect, seems yours is a high production values. Keep it up! Wish me luck finding a shop.

[andrewcrawley]

Good information for most people. There are also other higher end machines out there also. Almost no limit to the amount of money that can be spent getting one. I personally started out with a 70k one that is 5x10 vacuum table and has ATC and servo drives on all axes, weighs 3500lbs. and has a 12hp spindle. It is obviously not for everyone, and definitely not small. I just wanted to have a very robust frame as mentioned in video as I come from a metal machining background and weight is a sign of a ridged machine. It is also worth noting that tooling for any machine is going to be another expense as is all the other peripherals and materials to machine. It will add up faster than you might think. My attitude is, if I make money with it, fine that's a bonus, that way no worries about getting money back.
I

[SoleilCustomGuitars]

I would argue rigidity is the most important factor. All of the other variables are very important but don't even come into the picture if your machine can flex under load. I've purchased many smaller machines and the level of regret I've felt with those has been astounding. If you're a hobbyist then buy a cheap machine and learn how to use it. If you're a business owner don't waste your time below the 10k mark. Just my opinion but I've learned my lesson. You'll spend more time fixing and adjusting your machine than you will making anything.

[jonwoodworker]

So, me making 10 perfectly cut signs this weekend for $70 each on my $600 Foxalien Masuter Pro is the wrong way? Last weekend I ran $800 worth of signs on my $1500 Yorahome Silverback. I have to rethink what I'm doing wrong. Just because I can afford to buy a $15k machine, why would I tie up all that money to make one sign at a time? I can buy 10 Yorahome machines and make 10 projects at once. Only reason for me to spend more money on another machine would be if I were making items larger than 40"×40". My units have more than paid for themselves, which means more cash in my pocket. Both of my little cheapo CNC's still work perfectly. You do you, I do profit.

[drewjbx]

I looked at the AVID CNC's but thought the frame was not rigid enough for my needs. I took a chance and purchased a 4x8 CNC with heavy steel frame and gantry from China... came with vacuum table, 2 suction motors, 4th axis rotary, dust collection, water cooled spindle, and some tooling. It was all pre-wired... I had to supply my own PC and it runs Mach3. Total cost with shipping was 10K from AlphaCNC... my gamble has paid off as the machine's performance is awesome. Initial setup and calibration was pretty much dead on. Only issue was it took almost 1 year to get the machine, (was during Covid so I am sure that effected shipping)

[tstanley]

You left out one sort of common drive system. Acme lead screw. A lot of people mistake them for a ballscrew, but they are not and are inferior...

[nwmi]

I use Carveco. Can I use this with Shepoko??