[mkeeley]

Hi, I am planning on buying a 3020 router from Aliexpress. Following in the footsteps of John Lauer, I will upgrade the electronics to use a TinyG board I have lying around.
You can see his cool video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42ew5xjIBWM

I've also read the Guerrilla guide to CNC by Michal Zalewski (Guerrilla guide to CNC machining, mold making, and resin casting) and this is the sort of thing I will use my machine for: making small parts for robots, gadgets the odd faceplate or PCB prototype.

I want to spend around $500 USD (perhaps up to $1000 USD), and will get one with ball-screws, and probably a 300W-400W spindle. Most now seem to have a 4th axis as an option, which I think I will go for as it doesn't add much to the overall cost.

Looking on AliExpress, as others have noted, there are a million suppliers all supplying basically the same thing. There are a handful of models, some with aluminium extrusion chassis, some with aluminium plate, and some cheaper looking things that look like they are made from MDF or plastic maybe. The electronics seem to come in a few packages too: angled-face black/blue box; square grey box; blue box; white box with nice decal on the front.

My questions are: which is "most recent"? Has any body had experience with the specific models below? Or these specific electronics enclosures?

Model A:
Attachment 408088
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/mini...915590051.html
Grey control box, looks like wood/plastic frame, 300W spindle, about $370 with shipping (to New Zealand)

Model B:
Attachment 408090
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/mini-DIY-3020-CNC-router-4axis-PCB-engraving-milling-cutting-machine/32914054057.html
Blue control box, wood/plastic frame, 300W spindle, about $420 with shipping

Model C:
Attachment 408092
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3020-cnc-engraving-machine-pcb-milling-router-2030-USB-port-400W/32868219162.html
Grey control box, extruded frame, 400W spindle, about $515 with shipping

Model D:
Attachment 408080
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/CNC-machine-3020-300W-spindle-cnc-router-wood-engraving-machine/32924275595.html
White control box, solid aluminium frame, 300W water cooled (??!) about $720 with shipping

Model E:
Attachment 408094
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/DIY-CNC-wood-Router-3020-500W-4-Axis-engraving-and-Milling-Machine/32959814435.html
Blue control box with angle, aluminium frame, 500W, about $820 with shipping.

Basically after anyone's recommendations/experience with the listed items.
Cheers, Mike!

[rmachinist]

have bought anything yet?

[mkeeley]

Not yet - I am thinking about the Model D above, seems to have the latest control box (just going by looks!!)

Does anyone know if the wider extrusion-style gantry sides (e.g. Model C) would be more or less rigid than the thinner solid plate style (e.g. Model D)?

[rmachinist]

thinking about the shapeoko 3 i want to make sure on my purchase, the china machines i'm not sure of