My friend asked me to recommend a CNC machine. I was excited until he told me he wants to buy a industrial machine capable of cutting 4 x 8 feet of wood.
I only know hobbyist desktop machines. His request is for a huge footprint sized machine
So instead I agreed to help research and narrow down some choices. He will let me use it
List
Want to buy new
Budget - $15 to $20K USD but willing to spend more for quality
Able to cut at least 4 x 8 feet of wood
Brand that has superior customer support if a problem happens after warranty is up
easy to get replacement consumable parts she needs things wear out
A machine that can grow with the business with optional add on heads
Going over your list and #4 locks it down to only one. Shopbot.
They do well in the others as well but #4.
I have their least expensive machine, the handibot and whenever I’ve had a problem they act like I am the owner of some factory that has a half dozen full-size machines or something.
Oh thank you! Shop bot was one of the first ones I saw. Their website is informative. I also realize I know little about CNC. Most courses around here are geared part of a career, I just want to learn basics and safety. Do you recommend taking courses to learn CAD and CAM and other important things. He wants to cut wood inlays design into flooring.
I can never knock classroom time but I taught myself. If he buys a full sheet machine I’m pretty sure he can negotiate a beginners class for both of you!
Full-size machines get delivered and set up so there would be minimum instruction no matter what.
They come with a copy of Vcarve Pro and that is perfect for what he is wanting to do. If you want to start learning it you can download it and the demo will do everything but save a cut file.
I understand that it doesn’t fit a single one of your friends criteria, and is also not even a for sale yet; it is, like the Glowforge, still in the pre-order stage. However, I was also looking for a machine to help me with floor inlays, and came across the Shaper Origin (that link includes a $100 referral bonus for both myself and your friend if he decides to join the ranks of the optimistically waiting). Because it isn’t a traditional cnc, it has unlimited bed size, so it can be used to create inlays on floors that have already been laid.
Given that criteria, I’d agree with @markevans36301 that you should take a close look at the ShopBot.
I’m trying to hold out for something from Legacy Woodworking Machinery. I have talked with them at a couple woodworking shows and watched most of their YouTube videos. Their Maverick model is in your friend’s price range but is limited to 30" x 60". But it adds a 5-axis turning center and a 4-axis vertical clamping table at one end.
Might be a little pricey but I own a Shop Sabre. Made in the US, good support and a very solid machine. Have had mine for close to 10 years and have had very few problems. I routinely run programs that run for 15+hrs.
From my experience on my current 24" x 24" router, I’d say you wouldn’t want to walk away on your first dozen projects until you get the feel for determining feeds and speeds. I usually try to keep myself busy somewhere in the shop when my router is running but, if it is a long run (2 to 3 hours is long for my jobs), I go upstairs. I can still hear it just enough that if something goes wrong I’m likely to notice. With 10+ years experience, @tom is likely even more confident that the machine will operate as intended.
That’s just the case for me. I’d love their Gemini series that is 4’ x 8’ plus the turning center and vertical mount but that is a couple times over your friend’s budget. For my needs, I think the Maverick will be a good compromise. I’m hoping to be able to justify one in about two years.
With industrial machines I think it’s more normal. With that said, more than once I have come in in the morning to find a destroyed piece or broken tool. Almost always user error:-(
@cindyhodesigns Take a look at Cncrouterparts machines, easy to upgrade size, industrial, easy to repair, more options for the controller. They have pro and super-hobby models.