[asifjahmed]

Hello -

I am in the market for an entry-level CNC router, and I think I have narrowed my decision down to the Probotix Fireball X90 and the Zenbot 1624.

Probotix X90 - http://www.probotix.com/FireBall_X90...op_cnc_router/

Zenbot 1624 - Zenbot CNC Routers

Please help me decide! I plan to cut thin (1.5 - 3mm) carbon fiber sheet.

Help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Jamie

[asifjahmed]

Anybody? Please?

[asifjahmed]

I also stumbled on the CNC routers at Automation Technology Inc. | Stepper Motors, Servo Motors, CNC Stepper Motors, Stepper Drivers, CNC Kits, Stepper Kits Automation Technology Inc. They are all aluminum with ballscrews.

Can someone please chime in here?

[bmalicoat]

I cut the same stuff using a XZero CNC Raptor 24-32 Machine

[asifjahmed]

Thanks for your response. Any more pics of your setup? Looks like you use a porter cable? Did that vaccuum line come with the machine?

[aarggh]

I know I'll probably upset some other people here but for machines made mostly of plastic or mdf with inferior drivescrews and rails, they always seemed overly expensive to me. My opinion anyway.

I would find one of the cheap Chinese 6040's a far better value option, although you would need to factor in the additional cost of a G540 as the supplied controllers are garbage. But you get a beefy solid aluminium constructed machine that comes supplied with a spindle and VFD. And despite what some may say, spindles beat wood routers hands down for these machines.

The Raptor is pretty damn cool though! Wouldn't mind one myself!

cheers,
Ian

[bmalicoat]

This machine is built real well. All the aluminum is 3/4" thick with progile linear rails. The only extrusion in the machine is along the y axis and it is 80mm square. I am using a porter cable router. When budget allows I will upgrade to a Teknomotor spindle. I am using the Kent CNC dust boot with a 1 hp penn state industrial dust collector.