Wood Duck redux was Re: Plans for dirt cheap etcher?

>
> 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;

> included in the price given.)
>
> The frame is 3/4" exterior grade MDF (MEDEX brand) and we're

> with the idea of offering it pre aniline dyed (probably blue,

> brown or red; like its namesake) so it looks "finished".
> Alternatively we'd offer various "finishing kits" for something

> 20 bucks...
>
> The table is 16" wide by 22" long, and has the nowadays common

> of 20 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,

> 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

> workpiece width is 18-1/4". Workpieces may be up to 3-5/8

> max workpiece length is unlimited. Being a gantry design, work
> weight is not generally an issue, and you can work on parts of

> 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<G>) 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

>
> 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, and 16mm rods for Z. All else remains the same. But

> 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

> 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

> BB ply version is insiginificant, and the mfg for the bbply

> more effort and mfd. assembly to prevent problems like surface
> flakes of the phenolic.
>
> I think eventually we'll be offering all three types in
> their "native" 9 sizes from 12x12 to 24x24... But we can't afford

> 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 solution!
>
> comments invited,
>
> Ballendo
>
> P.S. 4th axis options and numerous accessories like dovetail and
> mortise and tenon jointmaking are designed and planned to

> these; but we've got to decide on the "basic package" and get it

> there first...
>
>
> --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "krashking405"
> <krashking405@> wrote:
> >
> > Don't want to build a PCB router, more a small CNC mill, stock
> that
> > would be at max 12"X12"X3".
>