Getting Started in CNC

Enter the CNC Router

For the past few years and prior to my retirement I have been on a journey to build up an automated shop. One that would enable me to build anything that I could imagine.
Along with virtually every tool you could imagine I have a 3D printer and a converted laser cutter and engraver, (The K40-S).
My last (really?) big automated tool investment is a CNC router.
This bog will capture my new journey in the CNC router space. 

What Router Should I Get?

I have been watching the CNC communities for some time and now that my K40-S is almost complete I decided to purchase a CNC router. In addition my Dad is visiting me and I thought it would be fun to build it with him, at least that's my excuse for exposing myself to another time and money sink while the last one (K40-S) is not quite done.
I also decided to build from a kit this time with hopes that is would shorten the research effort and the time to complete. You see my K40-S took a year to get to its current state. Of course I had to re-engineer and rebuild everything in it.

The OX

I decided to build and OX and I purchased this one OX DIY CNC KIT. I struggled a bit to decide between the standard OX or the CBeam version. The big debate is the accuracy of belts vs lead screws. I just didn't see that moving the entire Y axis verses only the gantry as the best approach. I got the standard OX with all the options and larger size. We will see if it was the right choice.

Enjoy and comment
Don


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