4×8 Machine design comparison

The Machine Tool Camp 4′x8′ is a light-weight machine. The instructions are detailed but more of a connect-the-dots type deal rather than a tutorial. Metric or imperial is irrelevant here because you would probably order most of your parts from this company.Pros:1. Easy to assemble once you have all the parts (Order from them. Its cheaper and easier.)2. Light-weight so could be moved around, within reason.Cons:1. Light-weight causes vibration during use.2. Light-weight material may deflect (bend or bow) slightly during use.3. Less precision.4. Might be hard to cut aluminum frame members to the tolerances listed.5. I would have liked more of a tutorial in the instructions rather than just connect-the-dots. Instructions need more large pictures.
Cad Cut CNC 4′x8′ Router is a heavy duty machine. It is as close to an industrial machine as you will ever get. The instructions are pretty good with lots of big drawings as well as tutorial. This is a big heavy machine. If you are looking for precision then this is it. I think this one would be easier to do in metric than the other, if you feel you must.Pros:1. Very high precision machine.2. Heavy weight means no vibration during use.3. This machine is stout! No deflection here. No bending of frame or gantry during use.Cons:1. Big heavy machine.2. You must weld frame. (Any cheap stick-welder will do. Mine costs less than $100. It looks pretty easy to do.)3. Takes two people to man-handle some of the pieces during assembly.
And now a few words about the big routers in general.1. You should go to the garage with two yardsticks (meter-sticks?) taped together and see if you really have 6′x11′ clearance somewhere. These machines are really large! You are talking about a permanent fixture that can’t be easily moved. These things are as big as a car!2. Small motors are better. They can still be powerful but the smaller and more lightweight the better. You don’t want to weigh the gantry down with big heavy motors like I have. It’s a headache.3. You should consider if you really have the money for one of the large machines. It adds up. Expect to spend $5000+ US before all is said and done.4. I don’t plan on using Gecko’s for the controllers. I am going to use Rutex because they look like they have more bells and whistles and there is less wiring to be done. In my case, the schematic parts of all the “Plans” are useless. You should consider if you will follow the schematics or not.


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