I think this is pretty much on point, you can¡¯t replace a saw with the CNC, there are things that it can¡¯t do easily until you get into the $100k machines that have aggregate heads and can saw and drill in numerous directions. Pod and rail machines have gotten somewhat cheaper, but they can be pretty limited as until you get really big, most won¡¯t cover a 4x8 sheet.
I just picked up a 4x8 Stepcraft machine, don¡¯t think it¡¯s all that special, but it was cheap and local. I¡¯ve made a few parts on it and can see the advantages, although work holding is a real pain. I have been screwing sheet goods down to the spoil board, but am almost complete with a vacuum system, just have to machine the plenum table and hook up the last of the piping to the zones. That will help with sheet goods, but I don¡¯t see processing much in the way of solid wood on this. Anything can be done, just don¡¯t know how convenient or fast it would end up being.
Programming can be a deep dark hole¡ fortunately I¡¯ve been doing CNC since the late 70¡¯s, so while working with cabinet shapes is different from what I¡¯m used to, it¡¯s not hard with Vectric and some of the other software packages out there to accomplish what you want.
On the op¡¯s list of machines, Freedom Patriot, now sold by SCM, would be my top choice, but you are in the $70k and up range for one with a tool changer and vac table.
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On May 22, 2021, at 2:26 PM, Michael Garrison Stuber <
mtgstuber@...> wrote:
I've had a CNC router for over 20 years now.? I have a ShopBot
PRT.? At some point I plan on upgrading, but I've got to finish
moving into my new shop first.? Here are my observations:
- CNC allows me to do things that I am incapable of doing by
hand.
- CNC requires good software.? Some of the best packages are
thousands of dollars.? You also have to know how to use it,
which takes time and dedication.? I'm a computer geek by trade
so I don't find it at all imposing, but there are plenty of
things that I still can't do well or quickly with the software
because I don't spend enough time practicing.? I'm sure it would
be different if I was doing projects every day.? Bottom line --
don't underestimate the time commitment associated with learning
to use the software well.
- CNC is great for things that need to be precise or that you
want to make a lot of.?
- CNC is awful for doing ad hoc work.? You have to do lots of
design and setup up front.? You can't just "knock something out"
- CNC can be painfully slow.? Part of this is my particular
machine.? I'm sure a modern machine with a high horse power
spindle would do better, but saw blades cut straight lines a lot
faster than router bits do and give a nicer finished edge, even
if you have the ultimate machine (and the power source to feed
it).
- Don't underestimate how much effort goes into holding down
your materials.? Vacuum systems can help, but they add to the
costs, complexity, and power consumption.
- The nice thing about CNC jobs is you can set them up and let
them run.? This is also the horrible thing.? CNC machines, even
with spindles instead of routers, are loud, and you really can't
leave them unattended.? Bad things, very bad things can happen
if you set something wrong, or a collet wasn't quite tight
enough, or there was an embedded nail you didn't know about.?
You can have a fire or a ruined tool in a heartbeat.? So you're
stuck there watching a loud screaming machine do it's thing.?
The first couple of times it's magical.? After that it's
boring.?? You'll want other tools in your shop to work with
while you wait for the CNC.? And hearing protection.? Very good
hearing protection.
CNC is a powerful creative tool and I'm very glad I have one.? I
don't regret the cost or the space.? That said, while I've done
shelving units and cabinets using it, given the limitations of my
machine, it's not my first choice.? It's faster for me to knock
things out on a saw and use the CNC for fancy decorative stuff.?
For some of the small stuff I use my laser cutter instead, as I
don't have to fuss with work holding.? When I first got the
machine I thought I would use it for everything.? Now I use it for
things that require precision, that require embellishment, or for
things that I want to create multiple copies of.? When I upgrade
machines I expect I'll revisit the work holding part of things and
focus on improvements I can make there to make the CNC machine
more effective.? I also plan on upgrading to a spindle (quieter)
and a tool changer so that I can hog things out with a big bit and
then switch to smaller bits for detail work and not have to fuss
with it.
--Michael Garrison Stuber
On 5/22/2021 2:00 PM, Bill James via
wrote:
Hi,
I am trying to find a replacement for my sliding table saw that
takes less space but still allows to build hardwood furnitures,
builtins, closet systems, kitchen cabinets.. I am not interested
in a standard table saw and I plan to keep my jointer/planer,
miter saw for some of the hardwood task. I know that CNC routers
with flat bed are really good for cabinet box/sheet good, but it
seems that the new machines with some pod tables are able to
manage hardwood too. I am not a production shop, just looking to
see if I can reduce the footprint (2 times the sliding table
length, the rip capacity and the outrigger).
If anyone has insight on using a CNC for sheet good and hardwood
and would like to share, I will appreciate. In term of machines, I
am looking at middle to high end version from Shopsabre, CAmaster,
Freedom Patriot as they all offer compact design for a 4x8 table.
I know that there is a learning curve from software and cutting
technics (flow, order, tooling, holding parts), but as hobbyist I
do not see any issue with that.
Thanks for all feedback,
Bill
--
Michael Garrison Stuber
