[Tlepac]

Hello everyone. Been lurking for a while now and thinking about trying to build my first cnc router. Looking to get some info/advice from everyone. I am a woodworker--halted right now by Minnesota winter--and have fair computer skills and a spare laptop with XP which I think would work well. Interested in MDF vs plywood vs other materials for some of the parts and workable by woodworking tools and eager to get ideas from those that have built your own for mostly wood projects. Thanks.

[ger21]

I always recommend for those that are new to spend several months reading an learning before making any decisions.

Material choices have a lot to do with the specific design. Different materials work better in different applications than others.
To be honest, you don't find many members here building from wood these days. You have to back 5-8 years ago here to find a lot of wood builds.
Innovations and options that didn't exist back then have steered more people into building machines from metal.
You'll find that most wood machines have serious weaknesses, and most that have built them have moved on to better machines.

Here is one of the best wooden machines you'll find:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/cnc-wo...rum-posts.html

I'm currently working on a large, high tech wood machine, but it'll be a few more years until finished.

[victorofga]

you can also try some kit..

look for cncrouterparts, or other sites...

[bettylee410]

laptop with XP is no problem for file designing, you can consider Ucamcam design software. The cnc router is usually controlled by USB controller.

[daniellyall]

just do lots of reading do a list of what you would like your machine to do look into that and go from there