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Advice on Router Purchase.
First of all I will just say a quick hello. I have been a reader of the forums for a little while now. Figured I would sign up to initially to ask for some advice but to then hopefully get involved also!
(My apologies if I have posted this in the wrong thread though I did see other advice topics and I am in routers)
I am from a very computer hardware based background so I am very used to forum activity!
Hopefully somebody will be able to give me some good advise.Currently looking to purchase a router but dont know as much as I’d like about them. I have a good two years experience with a Gerber Sabre 408. Literally love the machine and know it very well now.
The kind of work we have been focusing on ranges from basic 2D shapes in acrylic/alu etc but up to carving large detailed designs in the 3D with oak etc.
The router I would like to get would have to be suitable/compatible with Artcam as it is my currently desired software.
As far as other requirements it will need to do the above if possible.
Work with 5-10mm acrylic, 3mm alu and be compatible for 3d work with Artcam in woods.Budget is pretty small as it is only to start and for mainly personal use; around 4-5K would be max but I am willing to sacrifice bed size for this.
I would love to find something like a Gerber 404? *I think, the smaller bed* as I imagine the UI ect is similar and this is what I have become used to. I would however be happy enough to try something new if I could get a better deal for my money.
Even 1M x 1M bed size would be ample for now.
If there is a small router that is reputable within that price range be it new or second hand I would love some tips and advice to point me in the best direction.
(I do have the transport to collect from seller etc if needed)
Thanks in advance as I know I have more than waffled on and imagine my knowledge in this area is very slim compared to most of the people here!Thanks,
Jay
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1 Reply
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Can’t help much sorry but you would be better splitting your post & asking questions in the relevant section & saying hello & introducing yourself/telling people a little about yourself in the hello section.
From what I have seen myself you will be pushed to get anything decent unless your prepared to up the budget a bit unless you are extremely lucky. Forget new, even second user machines at the size your looking at capable of the work you want to do sell for more than that. Or you might be able to pick up an old machine & spend some money upgrading it.
Most of the light duty less expensive machines won’t handle cutting aluminium especially at 3mm thickness.
I have looked about a bit myself (not recently I must admit) & at the time machines with beds much smaller than the square metre your looking for were selling for that sort of money.If you have access to a 3 phase supply you might have more luck finding something suitable.
Do you already have Artcam software or would you have to include that in your budget as well. Sorry don’t use it myself so no idea what it costs but some dedicated software costs a lot on it’s own. Does it produce the "G" code the router needs to run or just the tool paths.
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