18 Years Experience Expert Advice on Shopping for a CNC Router for the Small Shop

Experience Expert Advice on Shopping for a CNC Router for the Small Shop

18 Years Experience Expert Advice on Shopping for a CNC Router for the Small Shop

I have owned and used CNC routers for over 18 years, and now sell them. The first thing you should do is thoroughly check out the company. Pull a D&B on them. Why? There is at least one company mentioned in this thread whose owner has gone bankrupt at least twice - closed down, moved and started up again under a new name. You should have confidence that the company you buy from is going to be there to support you years from now. Make sure that the company you buy from has a long history of good financial health. Never invest $40k in a machine and then find that the company leaves you holding the bag when you have problems.

Next, consider the company’s ability to train, help, and support you after your machine is installed. I know too many folks who have machines that are basically collecting dust because they never received the help and training they needed after the sale. I started my company for just this reason. Many local salesmen don’t even know how to turn the machine on, let alone help you with a machining, tooling, or programming challenge. It is critical that you buy from someone who can and will help you through the learning curve and be there as you grow. I have customers who purchased machines 3 years ago that I still go help with advanced applications and machining techniques.

Don’t get a machine without a tool changer. The little extra that an ATC costs is well worth it in the end. Don’t get a machine that is predominantly aluminum. Vibration is your enemy and aluminum does not absorb vibration like steel does. Don’t get a machine that’s built on a bolt together base for the same reason. There is no rigidity and they vibrate. Cut quality, speed, tool life, and overall machine life will suffer.

If you are worried about resale value, you need to look at the big names. These small machines will get the job done and pay for themselves over and over again, but you won’t have much resale value left in them when they are 4 or 5 years old.

Be wary of the machines that come unassembled and you assemble yourself. On the surface it may seem that you are saving money but you are buying a machine to work, not one to work on. It should come to you ready to run right off the truck and you should get professional onsite setup and training with it. Be wary of anything proprietary or closed architecture. The machines I sell run on industry standard g-code. Machines that run on proprietary controls will limit your flexibility and likely cost you more to own in the long run.

Lastly, take the specific brand advice on this board with a grain of salt. Most machines are good machines. Machine owners tend to be loyal if their experience has been relatively good. Most, however, do not have broad experience with multiple brands. The bottom line is that a CNC router should be the best investment that a person can make in their company. If done right, the machine will have an immediate positive impact. If done wrong it will likely sink you.

Rico CNC Router Machines, is the right choice for you.

If any interests in CNC Routers, welcome to contact us, more information will be sent.