[schmitt_design]

Hello Forum,

I'm researching my first CNC router. My max. budget is around $5k. I'm leaning towards a 24 x 48" cutting area, but could go smaller if necessary.

I'm primarily seeking something for prototyping and light production. Materials would be MDF, thin hardwood, bamboo plywood, & occasionally aluminum and acrylic. Clean, accurate cuts are more important than rapid cut speed.

I've narrowed down my options to the following:
FireBall Meteor: http://www.probotix.com/FireBall_Meteor_cnc_router/
Zenbot 2448: http://www.zenbotcnc.com/all-product...nc-router-1CNC
Shark HD 2.0: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=31987
CNC Router Parts kit: http://www.cncrouterparts.com/crp244...kit-p-164.html

I'd really appreciate any feedback that anyone may have on these options.
- The FireBall Meteor appears to be a quality full package, though you're required to use the included PC w/ EMC2 Control Software. Would that be a drawback?
- The Zenbot seems to be a good option at a lower price. Is anyone familiar with these? Is the belt drive something to watch out for?
- The CNC Router Parts kit seems to be a good value for a robust machine, though I'm afraid it'd be too much of a project for a newbie.

Thanks in advance for any insight,
Brian

[rich909]

Hi Brian --

Hello Forum,

I'm researching my first CNC router. My max. budget is around $5k. I'm leaning towards a 24 x 48" cutting area, but could go smaller if necessary.

I'm primarily seeking something for prototyping and light production. Materials would be MDF, thin hardwood, bamboo plywood, & occasionally aluminum and acrylic. Clean, accurate cuts are more important than rapid cut speed.

I've narrowed down my options to the following:
FireBall Meteor: http://www.probotix.com/FireBall_Meteor_cnc_router/
Zenbot 2448: http://www.zenbotcnc.com/all-product...nc-router-1CNC
Shark HD 2.0: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=31987
CNC Router Parts kit: http://www.cncrouterparts.com/crp244...kit-p-164.html

I'd really appreciate any feedback that anyone may have on these options.
- The FireBall Meteor appears to be a quality full package, though you're required to use the included PC w/ EMC2 Control Software. Would that be a drawback?
- The Zenbot seems to be a good option at a lower price. Is anyone familiar with these? Is the belt drive something to watch out for?
- The CNC Router Parts kit seems to be a good value for a robust machine, though I'm afraid it'd be too much of a project for a newbie.

Thanks in advance for any insight,
Brian

One thing that isn't clear to me from your question is, ...what CAD/CAM software you plan to use?

You might want to download some trial packages to see if you can easily create some of the projects that are typical of what you expect to use the machine for. If you know the software you plan to use (and which fits your budget) it may influence your choices. Popular packages like Vectric's Cut-3D and V-CarvePro have pre-processor output to Mach 3 but may not natively support LinuxCNC with a Probotics/Fireball pre-processor version. Perhaps someone on this forum, ....or at Fireball support can answer this for you.

To find more information about the Fireball Meteor you might join or make contact with their official users group at Yahoo.com, which can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Fireballcnc/
and you may also want to contact Fireball support at: http://www.probotix.com/support/, where they list some information on configuring their machines for Windows/Mach 3 if that becomes one of your requirements.

I am a Zenbot owner and have been using my machine for just over two years. I have had NO problems with it and vendor support has been excellent. The belt drive makes a positioning system that is virtually 'slop-free', and if you run a search for 'zenbot' here on CNCZone you will find many similarly satisfied Zenbot owners.

HTH.

--Rich

[OrvsR4me]

Hi all,

Sorry to dig up this thread from last year but Brian's question is exactly what I was going to write, minus the parts kit option. Completely new to CNC so I downloaded the trial version of V Carve and was able to design up a couple relatively simple projects to start with in short order. I originally thought I would be going with the shark black diamond since I am quite familiar with Rockler/Pro but the larger available bed and lower cost of the Zenbot have taken the lead. The Probotix is more expensive but does appear to be built more solidly but will it matter with cutting wood/mdf 95% of the time?

Right now CNC would mainly be called a hobby but I do run a woodworking/cabinet shop with carpenty/remodel service and consider myself a fairly creative guy. I don't want to outgrow my machine after a handful of projects but I don't want to invest $3k+ and find out that I wont use it. (yea I know I am wishy washy..)

Pretty much decided on the Zenbot 2448 with their control box, mach 3, and Vcarve. Thinking the DeWalt 611 too.

Any opinions/advice before I pull the trigger? Please?

Thanks in advance,
Brian Lund

[rich909]

Hi all,

Sorry to dig up this thread from last year but Brian's question is exactly what I was going to write, minus the parts kit option. Completely new to CNC so I downloaded the trial version of V Carve and was able to design up a couple relatively simple projects to start with in short order. I originally thought I would be going with the shark black diamond since I am quite familiar with Rockler/Pro but the larger available bed and lower cost of the Zenbot have taken the lead. The Probotix is more expensive but does appear to be built more solidly but will it matter with cutting wood/mdf 95% of the time?

Right now CNC would mainly be called a hobby but I do run a woodworking/cabinet shop with carpenty/remodel service and consider myself a fairly creative guy. I don't want to outgrow my machine after a handful of projects but I don't want to invest $3k+ and find out that I wont use it. (yea I know I am wishy washy..)

Pretty much decided on the Zenbot 2448 with their control box, mach 3, and Vcarve. Thinking the DeWalt 611 too.

Any opinions/advice before I pull the trigger? Please?

Thanks in advance,
Brian Lund

Hi Brian --

You probably want to talk to Shaun at Zenbotcnc about having him make a DeWalt DW611 (1.25hp, Var-Speed 16,000-27,000) mount for you if you have not already had this conversation with him.

Just looking at the specs the 4.1lb tool weight looks very good incomparison with the Hitachi M12vc (2.24hp., Var-Speed 8,000 - 24,000, weight 7.3lb) which seems to be the most commonly used router amongh Zenbot users. For comparison, I use a Bosch Colt (1hp., Var-Speed 15,000-35,000, weighs 3.2lb) with my Zenbot 12x16, ...so you can see the DeWalt is only slightly heavier.

Personally, I wouldn't get a variable speed version router if I replace my current Colt. To get it to run slow enough for machining plastics, I ended up disabling the V-S & Soft Start features and going to a SuperPID speed controller for a 8,000 - 30,000 rpm range, which is close to the range of the M12vc. Unfortunately the 7.3lb Hitachi is about twice as heavy as the Colt, which increases inertia at the ends of rapids. If you work mostly with wood and MDF the 611 should be fine if Shaun can provide the mount.

--Rich

[OrvsR4me]

Rich,
Thanks for the reply. Must not be a lot of vocal Zenbot users on here? You seem to be the man! As a newb, I hadn't even thought about the weight of the router as being an issue. Thanks for that heads up. I've had a Bosch Colt non-VS in my woodshop for a couple years and really like the ease of use of it even though the micro depth control sucks. The Dewalt 611 still sounds like a good choice considering its power to weight ratio and that on Amazon I can order just the motor without an unnecessary base. I don't think you can get it without Variable speed.

When getting a new Zenbot you simply check what router you want to use and Shaun includes it with the machine. Couldn't be easier. He also answered an email question very quickly and politely. A+ so far.

Thanks for coming out of posting-retirement to answer my question from the Zenbot side!

Brian