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IndustryArena Forum > Events, Product Announcements Etc > Polls > What size CNC Router do you like in your shop

View Poll Results: What is your favorite size for CNC Router table

Voters
252. You may not vote on this poll
  • Less than 2 feet square

    21 8.33%
  • 2'x3'

    47 18.65%
  • 3'x3'

    16 6.35%
  • 4'x4'

    56 22.22%
  • 8'x4'

    54 21.43%
  • larger than 8'x4'

    58 23.02%
Results 1 to 16 of 16
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Posts
    329

    What size CNC Router do you like in your shop

    I have been thinking about building myself another CNC Router table for my basement shop. I have a 5'x4' CNC router table available to me but I would like something for the basement.

    What size tables do you find is a good compromise for smaller work like signs and lithophanes? Or should I just get a large machine. I would like your opinion on your favorite size cnc router table.
    Joescnc 4x4 R&P Router, Minimill, Minilathe, CNC Foamcutter, laser cutter, Vectric Aspire. http://makermasters.com, http://themakersguide.com

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    0
    IMO if you have the room and money, go big. You said one of the things you want to make is signs. A 4x8 sign wont fit on a 4x8 bed, but with a bigger bed a smaller project will fit. JMO

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Posts
    168
    Bigger is usually better (IMO) why limit your self
    -Bigger table means larger lengths of material - Potentially less unusable scrap.
    -Cost savings of purchasing material in larger sizes.
    -Less time spent on cutting material down to size to make it fit your machine (some supply stores charge a cut charge).
    -More pieces out of one "material" setup, making multiple pieces at once.
    -Common size pieces of material (home stores) 2x4, 4x8. That being said, machine size preference would be a cutting area being able to accommodate those sizes.

    I've found that I save time by being able to lay a sheet down, fasten to table and start cutting. Plus I get more mileage from my raw material when using larger sizes.

    My 5'x5'x10" cutting area machine cuts acrylic, wood, aluminum, has a 4th axis and I want another machine to exclusively cut metal. The large Novakan or Tormach come to mind for size for metal. Novakan for the Z height since I want to move my 4th axis off of my current table.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    3447

    The only true limit is what you can afford.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Posts
    1183
    Quote Originally Posted by diyengineer View Post
    The only true limit is what you can afford.
    I agree 100%...


    Lou
    http://www.cnczone.com/forums/diy-cnc-router-table-machines/140832-cnc-software.html

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    1804
    My 12"x12" was purpose built to:
    1. use in the house for PCB work
    2. As a test bed for software development.

    So I don't really want or need anything bigger:})
    Art
    AKA Country Bubba (Older Than Dirt)

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    0

    OK, you are not the center of the question.

    Quote Originally Posted by Bubba View Post
    My 12"x12" was purpose built to:
    1. use in the house for PCB work
    2. As a test bed for software development.

    So I don't really want or need anything bigger:})
    Nobody asked what Bubba needs, wants or has. I'm:banana: building a 5'X10' and I can make a PCB board bigger than you can....naner naner.. The Pole question is the pole question. OBTH I can as well use my tool as " 2. As a test bed for software development." :banana::banana:

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Posts
    428
    Quote Originally Posted by LouF View Post
    I agree 100%...


    Lou
    Usually the bigger, more costly, more opportunistic! :cheers:
    Dolphin CAD/CAM Support

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Posts
    1183

    Wink

    Quote Originally Posted by Dolphin USA View Post
    Usually the bigger, more costly, more opportunistic! :cheers:
    Very true but for me being a hobbyist cost is a factor...
    http://www.cnczone.com/forums/diy-cnc-router-table-machines/140832-cnc-software.html

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Posts
    428
    Quote Originally Posted by LouF View Post
    Very true but for me being a hobbyist cost is a factor...
    Very true. And it sure can be overwhelming when hunting!
    Dolphin CAD/CAM Support

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by Dolphin USA View Post
    Very true. And it sure can be overwhelming when hunting!
    That's an understatement! you are hit that on the head.:cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::chee rs::cheers::cheers::cheers:

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Posts
    0
    There is nothing about favorite for me its all depend on the requirement and affordability.
    I have now 8'×8' .

  13. #13

    Re: What size CNC Router do you like in your shop

    The medium size of table is more suitable for my work ~~ :cheers:
    ISweek(http://www.isweek.com/)- Industry sourcing & Wholesale industrial products

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Posts
    655

    Re: What size CNC Router do you like in your shop

    If you have a 4x5 available (my current size), then I personally would go for 2x4. That is the size of the vacuum zone I do 75% of the work on now. My next size would be 4x8 but that's a little big for a basement. Myself, I'm going to a 5x10 now. It's what we run in our other shop so I'm already taking jobs up to that size, now I just can do them in house and also be a back up machine for the other shop.

    Sent from my LG-D852 using Tapatalk
    In case anyone is wondering, I'm the twin of the other gfacer on cnczone...

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    419

    Re: What size CNC Router do you like in your shop

    I am about to start building my second, from 2x3 to 3x4.

    From what I see on advertisement sites is that the bigger a router gets, the lower the second hand value is, regardless of component price.
    Space seems to be a problem for the avarage second hand buyer.

    Now I need the bigger router for bread and butter but I will only build just a little bigger, so that I can do the stuff I know I want to be able to do.
    Sven
    http://www.puresven.com/?q=building-cnc-router

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Posts
    164

    Re: What size CNC Router do you like in your shop

    Quote Originally Posted by Randdy View Post
    There is nothing about favorite for me its all depend on the requirement and affordability.
    I have now 8'×8' .
    Wow that's a wide X axis . Any pics? I don't know how a person could reach the middle ?

    Myself I'm wanting to build one around 4'-5' . If I had the room, a 4'x8'

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