What do you think of this CNC machine?

[twisted8]

What do you do you guys think of this CNC machine? It looks like a good price to me but I don't know much about CNC specs.

http://www.zenbotcnc.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=zenbot&Product_Code=zenbot1216&Category_Code=Products

I'm looking to make some overhead/pedestal panels and what not.
thanks!

[Buddym]

hey twisted. I looked at the zenbot a while back and I selected the fireball instead. if you look at them they are very similar. I chose the fireball since it has solid rods rather than tubes, and was much cheaper. Both machines have good reputations and are well supported. I am very happy with the fireball and how it performs. There is a Yahoo Groups forum that has TONS of support, and lot's of folks that are generous with their time and ideas. With the money I saved getting the fireball rather than the Zenbot I was able to buy a real CAD/CAM package. Now if I only knew how to use them both properly!

Buddy

[davek]

I bought the Shark CNC from ROckler http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=19441
Easy to set up when arrives, easy to use. You have to download the software from the website.
Comes with VCarve Pro.
Has a large range of travel that the one above.
One thing I have found is positioning the material to reduce waste. The larger the bed, the easier it is to place the material to reduce waste without having to cut material before you start cnc'ing.

[Perik]

Hello

I have a couple of friends buying from China: http://sites.google.com/site/cncdiymachines/
You got an all metal unit (available in different sizes) at a really affordable price.
If you do not want or can't to buy from China there is a reseller in Switzerland (http://www.cnc-shop.ch/).

[twisted8]

Thank you guys! Very useful info. Good to know there are several options at that price range (shark looks great but above my budget) I'll have to do some good researching.

[flatlandpilot]

Hi twisted8
Do you mean the Sable router ?
I have the Sable, and it's the best tool I ever bought,
but it has a plastic (delrin) nut
and supported rail is more solid than unsupported
and the speed of trapezium tread is much lower.

So stupid I didn't buy it ten years earlier ;)