[aarongough]

Hey all!
I'm working on the design for my first scratch-built machine. I already have some Thompson precision shafting and bushings so I am designing around these.

The shafts are:
1" x 36"
3/4" x 18"
1/2" x 9"

My question is whether anyone has recommendations about fixed vs moving gantry designs. I have been very impressed with Microcarve's A4 design, and I want to make sure that the new machine will be able to make deep cuts quickly in wood an plastics and be comfortable working in aluminium at lower feed rates.

My current machine is built from a kit and is flexy as hell, hence my hesitance to build another moving gantry design without considering the options.

I'm aware that I will give up a lot of work space with a fixed gantry design, but I expect my CNC machine to be able to make parts quickly, so in my mind the trade-off is worth it.

All opinions appreciated! I have attached a rough sketch of my proposed fixed gantry design, it's not a complete render by any means, mor of a brain-dump than anything.