After much deliberation I have decided to purchase an OMNI 1313. I have used these forums a lot in preparation for this decision but I didn't see alot out there for people ordering a mid-size machine and thought recording my experience may help the next person that comes along.
Let's start with what I am planning on using this machine for and why I decided to order this machine.
I started with CNC a little over a year ago with building a MPCNC (mostly printed cnc). The machine was fun to build and has been great for what it is. However, it is limited in size and limited in speed/torque. As I have been working to move my hobby into a hobby-business I need to move to something more reliable, faster, and more powerful.
I am mostly cutting signs and carvings out of hardwood. I also plan to use this to do some cabinet/furniture making. Again squarely in the hobby / hobby-business space.
I chose to go with a 1313 for two reasons:
1. I have a garage shop with limited room and a full size machine would not fit.
2 I chose not to go smaller (say a 1212) because the 1313 seems to be when most manufacturers went up to the beefier table and gantry, it also was the point when they moved to a rack-and-pinion x/y. Basically it felt like the 1212's where maxing the specs of the components.
So where am I in the process?
The order is placed and the down payment is made (as of tonight). I will update this thread with more details (including the machine specs) as I go through this process.