CNC routers

I don’t have any recommendation for you Brian.
I do believe a CNC router would be a great addition to any shop.
I built my own a couple of years ago and fried it on the first try : due to an error in layout-)

As an investment, I would look at the potential direct and indirect revenue and see if it makes sense. The few woodworker that has one I have been following loves theirs and indicated it bring extra revenue.

Hopefully someone who owns one will chip in and give you a better opinion.

Thanks for the info. Was it very difficult making your own? I’ve also pondered on that as well

CNC is a lot like laser engravers…it makes a difference because you can do just about anything with one, as long as it stays withing the scope of the xy&z…

I’ll stick my neck out here and say it’s not really woodwork, it is beautiful but it’s basically painting with a stensil. I appreciate that it’s a lot of work to create the stensil and I have no lack of respect for the skill and patience it takes to create it.

I suppose you could use one to make traditional joinery, but why would you when it can carve butterflies landing on stars and you can use a saw to cut a tenon for 20 bucks?

Still….Just my opinion… If you want engraving, lots of folks can do it for you.

It is not difficult Brian.
There are many plans on the internet for sales usually around $30 or so. They also sell the steppers and all the gears you need.
It is usually cheaper than buying a pre-made one.
Cnczone.com has some great info and some members posted their build step by step. Take a look.

I forgot to mention Steve’s blog: http://lumberjocks.com/SPalm/blog/2248

You probably know Steve, he is very talented and shared a lot.