Re: I would like a opinion on setting up a complete small CNC system.

Marcus,

You are correct that a sherline CNC may not qualify as a 'production'
machine for certain materials, toolpaths, and sizes. However, this
will also be true for most, if not all CNC machines...

The questions You offered ARE good ones to consider when deciding IF
the sherline will "cut it".

>Hi Jeff:
> I have a couple of questions for you:
>1) How fast do you have to make each part?
>2) What material do you intend to use?
>3) How are you planning to fixture the parts to cut them?

>You are describing a part size that is near the upper limit of what
>you can cut on a Sherline.

2 x 2 x 4 the upper limit! NO WAY! I have successfully machined parts
in alum and mild steel as large as 4" th. x 6"w x 16"long! Multiple
fixturing, multiple toolpaths. Yes, it takes forever...

I have also put detail on parts even larger (up to 4 x 12 x 24).
Using 'outboard' rollers to support the weight.

I am sure Jon A can tell similar stories re: his MaxNC-10 CNC and his
fathers' Sherline...

>If you need to hog out most of a stainless block to get your part
>geometry, you will not do it anytime soon on a Sherline.

True enough. But even here, good machining practice and material
choice (what kind of stainless are we talkin'?) will count a lot
otwards the success/ failure.

It is good to remind someone that a sherline is not a VMC with
toolchanger. But we must not decide for them what is acceptable, IMO.

Hope this helps.

Ballendo