Hello,

What if you could just buy a FULL, COMPLETE kit for a 12x12x4-1/2"
travel Gantry router CNC machine, with plug-together electronics,
and pre-configured PC-based cnc controller for $995?

It's 20"W x 20"D x 20"H, and holds a full-size woodworking router
which it can move at 70+IPM. You can cut at 60+IPM reliably.
(A typical router might be a Porter Cable 690 or Makita RF1101; not
included in the price given.)

The frame is 3/4" exterior grade MDF (MEDEX brand) and we're playing
with the idea of offering it aniline dyed (probably blue, green,
brown or red; like its namesake) so it looks "finished".
Alternatively we'd offer various "finishing kits" for something like
20 bucks...

The table is 16" wide by 22" long, and has the nowadays common grid
of 1/4-20 threaded holes for part fixturing. (We'll sell basic
clamp kits to hold your work for 20 bucks or so.) Without them, you
can still use c-clamps to fix many types of work to the table. Or
make your own of wood.

The XYZ rails are 3/4" ground steel rods with delrin AF linear
bearings. 1/2" acme leadscrew with A/B nut on all axes. 200 oz.in.
motors prewired to just plug into the control box (A GeoM 430 MCU)

The motors do not project outside of the 20x20x20 cube, and the max
workpiece width is 18-1/4". Workpieces may be up to 3-5/8 thick ,and
max workpiece length is unlimited. Being a gantry design, work
weight is not generally an issue, and you can work on parts of MUCH
larger items.

It assembles in 4-6 hours typically, and is a bit like putting
together an IKEA desk or bookcase. (I can do it in less than 2
hours, but I'm perhaps more familiar with it) It requires care
and attention in assembly, but is not difficult.

Would you buy it? If I post pictures and offer it for sale on
CNCresource.com this week, would you buy it?

OR... What if all the above was true, with this change:

The product now arrives fully ASSEMBLED in a 24x24x24 box, and is
made of Phenolic-faced Baltic Birch plywood. BUT it NOW costs $1450.

OR...

What if it was the same as described above fully assembled;
BUT has a frame of 1/2" aluminum, and VXB linear bearings
on 18mm rods in XY, with 16mm rods for Z. All else remains the same. But now it costs $1995.

The question laid before you is the reason Wood ducks have not yet
come to market. We have tried mightily to decide FOR you which would
be the best to offer, and frankly we just don't know.

I've been leaning towards the less expensive MEDEX kits, so more
folks could own one. The performance between the MDF version and the
BB ply version is insignificant, and the mfg for the bbply requires
more effort and needs factory assembly to prevent problems like surface
flakes of the phenolic.

I think eventually we'll be offering machines in all three material types in
their "native" 9 sizes from 12x12 to 24x24... But we can't afford to
do that at the outset...

Any feedback given here will help the decision, Would love to get
these out to all that'd like a pre-engineered, tested and mfrd/
constructed CNC solution!

comments invited,

Ballendo

http://www.cncresource.com

P.S. 4th axis options and numerous accessories like dovetail and
mortise and tenon jointmaking are designed and planned to accompany
these; but we've got to decide on the "basic package" and get it out
there first...

P.P.S. If some other size- from 12x12 to 24x24 in 6" increments -- is more likely to be purchased by you; please tell us what size and what you think is a fair price. DO Remember we're talking about something COMPLETE; whether kit or assembled.