Hi all, Hope your all well, my name is Kris and I am looking to take the plunge into the world of CNC machines. Ive been looking heavily toward the OX CNC 1000 x 1000 from Ooznest but before I pull the trigger I just wanted to ask a few questions. I apologize if these have been asked before too. So, before I chuck over £1200 into my first CNC; 1- Im looking to cut up to max 18mm MDF, 5mm acrylic and 1mm carbon fibre, I take it I should be fine here? I would like to do some inlay work and some pieces up to approx 750mm x750mm in the MDF and maybe some inlay on small oak pieces too. 2 - Some parts may require additional work on the reverse side, I take it this is possible and its a case of ensuring things are accurately lined up and that this will come with practice / experience? 3 - Bit changes after specific tool paths, would this be achievable? 4 - Machine accuracy / reliability. I have not seen too many major issues with the OX from the places I have been looking. I guess I just want some reassurance that the community is there for if / when I need help getting things right. Even looking at what is probably simple stuff like calibrating the length of the bit sticking out the spindle etc. Again apologies still getting up to speed on tech speak. 5 - Any obvious upgrades straight off like dual belts that I keep seeing mentioned, should I get this an an additional option from the start and an extra bed support to have 2 running down for extra rigidity? Sorry for all the questions and appreciate any help you can push my way. K
Order is in! Gone for the Ooznest OX CNC 1000 x 1506mm machine, I have also ordered extra belt for the dual belt mod. Decided to go that big bigger for the future to save having to rebuild the machine. Expecting delivery in the next 7-10 days and have had great service from Ryan Lock too. So now I would just like to ask where I should be looking for the best router bits, Amazon or can people recommend any set/kit please? Also, any other items that you wish you had when you first got started. Thanks, Kris
They are endmills, not bits. What type you get depends on what you need. I would never use my aluminum cutting endmill in wood, or my acrylic in carbon, and so on. You get what you need for the project at hand (or in the future). You will also have to learn what works best for you through experience. For now, focus on the method you will use to hold your work piece down. Build your work table. For example, I cut aluminum and carbon (not on an Ox) with flood cooling. Therefore, I use an acrylic spoiler board. Someone who will be cutting thin sheets may prefer a vacuum hold down.
1) None of those materials should be a problem provided you use the proper cutting parameters and endmills. 2) For two sided cuts, focus on your zeroing and your work table. 3) Tool changes aren't an issue as long as you can "zero" your z in relation to the work piece. 4+5) I can't directly answer as I don't have an Ox. The support here is very good. I built a Sphinx as I'm not a fan of belts, but as long as you take everything into account, you shouldn't have any issues. The longer your machine can (not has to, but can) travel, the more a belt will stretch under load. That's where the double belt comes in. For the size of your machine, you'd be crazy not to go double belt. Double belt restricts any stretch to the length that wraps around the wheels and bit the entire length of the machine.
