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CNC equipment advise

9/17/14       
Mmatt Member

I own a small custom furniture shop. We're doing well and have hit the point where introducing CNC technology may be the next step forward financially when it comes to knocking out intricate table legs and chair legs. So far the available CNC products on the market to fit my needs seem overkill i.e. Buying a big flat bed and installing a 4th axis or going 5-axis. Both of those options would be too costly and consume too much space. Other than those options the only product I've seen is Laguna's rotary CNC carver, which appears to specifically address my production need for about $15k. Here are my questions:
1. Does anyone know of any other brands of rotary CNC carvers so I can weigh my options?
2. Does anyone know of any smaller flatbed CNCs that can have a 4th axis added?-- this would be ideal since it may offer more flexibility at a roughly similar price tag.
3. What is the forum's opinion on Laguna? I've never owned the brand, but have heard mixed reviews.
4. Does anyone have a table leg and chair leg solution to suggest outside of CNC?

9/17/14       #2: CNC equipment advise ...
ALEX

NewCNC has some nice machines. I personally bought a used Techno isel machine and attached a Sherline rotary 4th axis. all in cost me under 4 grand.

9/18/14       #3: CNC equipment advise ...
james mcgrew Member

Website: http://mcgrewwoodwork.com

CAMaster has a forum of owners with a rotary specific forum, designers like Micheal Mezalik have CAMasters and are moderators on the forum. well worth a look and a question or two. CAMaster has been putting rotarys on Smaller CNC.s since the early 2000s and have some long term experience with this for guys like us. Feel free to join the discussions. the machines are completely built in Cartersville GA. A Trip to the Plant is well worth anyones time who is in the "Due Diligence" Phase of wanting a CNC


View higher quality, full size image (800 X 532)


View higher quality, full size image (1024 X 681)

http://camheads.org

9/18/14       #4: CNC equipment advise ...
Joey Jarrard

Matt,
I sent you a private message through wood web. I hope you get it.

Please email me if you have any questions. I am here to help out.

9/18/14       #5: CNC equipment advise ...
Rick W

I can't answer your first three questions, since I'm not familiar with CNC machines with 4 or 5 axis capabilities. I have a Shopbot, which can do some carving, but not on the scale you need.
I'll take a shot at the fourth question:
4." Does anyone have a table leg and chair leg solution to suggest outside of CNC?"
First of all, what kind of legs are you talking about? I'm assuming that you are currently making the legs by hand, and they are taking too long to make, and/or you are getting too much variation in size.Both problems can be addressed by getting a CNC. BUT, it may not be the solution.It takes time to learn the CNC, and time to model, toolpath, and run the parts.You're not going to get an immediate increase in production right after you get a CNC.
Before getting a CNC, I would recommend talking to the companies others have recommended. I would also recommend taking one of your leg designs to them and asking what it would take to produce one on their CNC. That way you will get an idea of what's involved.
Another thing to consider is to get a quote from a CNC shop on your legs.It might be better in the long run to outsource your legs to them.
Are there any commercially available legs that you can use, or that you can modify? There are a LOT of leg designs available, and maybe some could work for you.
A CNC machine can be a great addition to a shop, but it's not a requirement, nor is it a cure-all for production.
Anyway, some things to think about! I like our Shopbot, but it's one tool among others. It's great for some things, but not so good for others.
Rick W

9/19/14       #6: CNC equipment advise ...
Mmatt Member

James-- great advise. I'd never heard of Cammaster until today. I think there their Stinger II may be along the lines of what I'm looking for.

9/19/14       #7: CNC equipment advise ...
james mcgrew Member

Website: http://mcgrewwoodwork.com

You will appreciate looking at them for sure !! this am R Crawford posted this, He is a great example of the machine and the work

camheads

9/20/14       #8: CNC equipment advise ...
rich c.

James, is Joey working for you now? His website address listed sure looks familiar!

9/20/14       #9: CNC equipment advise ...
james mcgrew Member

No, he is running his businesses in Cartersville GA, US Routertools.com and the Black box vacuum

every once in a while it seems to be a bug in the woodweb post !!


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