Should I buy or build a CNC Router?

If you want a CNC milling machine, then you may be asking yourself the question: should I buy or build a CNC milling machine? Do you choose to buy a CNC milling machine kit to assemble your own DIY CNC milling machine or just buy a complete CNC milling machine? Today, CNC engraving machines are a growing part of the modern woodworking industry. CNC routers can be used for milling, drilling, engraving, cutting, and of course routing, and are ideal for lightweight materials such as wood, foam, plastic, acrylic, glass, copper, brass, aluminum, PVC and MDF. As we all know, a CNC engraving machine is composed of a complete CNC engraving machine kit, which consists of various CNC engraving machine parts. The quality and service life of the CNC machine kit determines the quality and service life of the entire CNC engraving machine. Whether you buy a complete CNC engraving machine or DIY CNC engraving machine, you need to choose the right CNC engraving machine kit and CNC engraving machine parts. In this article, we will briefly introduce CNC router kits which are mainly used for making routers and the advantages and disadvantages of buying a complete CNC router so that you can make a quicker decision.

1.Basic CNC Milling Machine Parts to Know

2.Homemade CNC Milling Machine vs Buying CNC Milling Machine

3.Benefits of Owning a CNC Router

1.Basic CNC Milling Machine Parts to Know

You're likely to look at several machines during the buying process, here are details on the components used in most CNC milling machines, so you can learn about the parts that really matter in your next machine:

Computer System: Interprets CAD/CAM software and sends motion control commands (G-code). It controls tool paths, speeds, feeds and tool changers.

Spindle: The spindle holds the cutting tool and rotates it around the axis to remove material. Torque, speed, horsepower and bearing systems are key considerations for spindles, while dust and heat are their main enemies.

End mills (drills): whatever project you're working on, you'll need to invest in the right drills. Most machinists will have multiple drills for a variety of projects and materials

CNC motors: typically stepper motors or servo motors are used. Stepper motors are smaller, cheaper, and more accurate, while servo motors offer more advanced, high accuracy, and high speed.

CNC Milling Machine Tables: Vacuums, clamps or adhesives are used to hold the workpiece in place. Tables are made from a variety of materials and feature T-slots for clamping or perforations for vacuum retention.

Gantry: Straddles the table and keeps the spindle motion stable by minimizing vibration. Cutting tools are usually attached to the gantry on a CNC milling machine by means of a tool changer.

Linear Guideway System: Guides the path of motion along an axis while supporting auxiliary loads and machine components. Depending on the size or complexity of the CNC, the guideways can use ball screws or rack and pinion.

2.Homemade CNC Milling Machine vs Buying CNC Milling Machine

Advantages and Disadvantages of Building Your Own CNC Milling Machine

Advantages

You can choose the CNC milling machine kit you want based on your specific machining requirements. No need to pay for features you don't need.

Self-made CNC milling machine can buy CNC milling machine kits instead of the whole machine, which can save some money.

Assembling a CNC milling machine kit and commissioning a DIY CNC milling machine can really hone your hands-on skills.

You will get a strong sense of satisfaction and accomplishment after completing your DIY CNC milling machine.

Disadvantages

You need to conceptualize and design the model or type of machine first. This requires you to be very familiar with CNC machines and this can be quite difficult for beginners as well as those who are not that familiar with CNC milling machines.

It takes a lot of time and effort to select, purchase and assemble all the necessary CNC kits.

In addition to the CNC milling machine kit, you should also purchase other small auxiliary parts or tools such as wires, connectors, bolts, nuts, and so on. Assembling all CNC milling machine kits or CNC milling machine parts also requires some technical knowledge and skills.

DIY CNC mills may only be available in very small sizes such as 3040, 3018, 6090, 1212, etc. with simple features. Heavy duty or long term cutting and engraving jobs are not possible and may not meet your job requirements.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying a CNC Milling Machine

Advantages

Heavy-duty configuration of the complete CNC engraving machine allows for large-scale, long-term, high-intensity work.

A person will be available to answer all of your questions prior to purchasing a complete machine. We can also present and recommend CNC engraving machine kits that meet your specific needs.

Instead of having to conceptualize and design the machine yourself, you can tell a professional CNC machine builder all of your requirements for the machine and have a team of professionals set up the machine to your satisfaction.

The whole CNC wood engraving machine has been installed, debugged and tested before leaving the factory. You only need to assemble the machine after receiving it.

Perfect after-sales service can solve all the problems you encounter in the process of using the complete set of woodworking engraving machine. The professional after-sales personnel are always ready to solve some problems you face.

Disadvantages

The cost may be higher than buying a CNC engraving machine kit.

The complete CNC engraving machine may have some features that you don't use often.

If you buy from a foreign CNC machine manufacturer, you need to pay extra shipping cost, customs clearance fee, etc.

If it is an unreliable CNC machine tool manufacturer, you will get an inferior product and it may be difficult to defend your rights. Therefore, it is necessary to take time and effort to find the right CNC machine tool manufacturer.

3.Benefits of Owning a CNC Router

If you are a skilled machinist, you must be well aware of the necessity of owning a great CNC milling machine. If you want to take your DIY home projects to the next level or even start your own machining or woodworking business, here are some of the best reasons you must know for owning your own CNC router:

Precision: CNC routers are computer-controlled machines that can be detailed with great precision. This is difficult to do with hand tools or non-CNC machines, making CNC routers perfect for creating complex shapes and patterns.

Productivity: CNC routers can work constantly and automatically, making them faster and more efficient than hand tools. This helps businesses produce more products faster, which leads to higher profits.

Versatility: CNC routers can work with a wide range of materials such as wood, plastic, metal and foam. You can create custom designs for different industries such as furniture, signs, automobiles and aircraft. CNC routers are programmable, making it easy to create new designs or change existing ones.

Shandong U-May Cnc Technology Co., Ltd. is a professional CNC milling machine manufacturer. The company was founded in 2014 and has a professional designer team and complete after-sales service. If you are considering purchasing a CNC milling machine, you can consult us and we will recommend you the CNC engraving machine that best suits your needs. And we support customization and can create a perfect machine for you.