(Not sure this is the correct subforum to ask, please move it if it isn't!) I am looking to build a CNC Router on a medium budget and would like to get this community's recommendations. It needs to be mobile-ish (so I can crank it in to the rafters of my shed when not in use) due to limited space (I will probably mount it to a piece of ply to make it easier to crank up) It will sit on the cover of my laser (76.5*115.5 cm in size) The outside dimensions should therefore be 76.5*115,5 cm Fixed bed with a moving Y gantry I want to use a normal hand router, so I can chose between all normal bit sizes, and even use surfacing bits to flatten out pieces (Something similar to the Router11 from the openbuilds store) for other woodworking projects I want to be able to mill/engrave the occasional soft (non-ferrous) metals but primarily wood (mostly pine, but probably also occasionally hardwoods for show pieces) and acrylics, etc. I have built/assembled 3d printers and a laser before, and am pretty proficient at mechanics, electronics and computers... I already have a number (5 or 6 I think) of spare Nema-17 steppers, 2 different controller boards (incl. a Smoothie), so I am happy to keep their costs out of the budget consideration! I also have 4 3D printers to print parts if needed and a 40*60cm workspace 402 CO2 laser to cut parts if needed... I can use the PC that drives the CO2 laser (using Lightburn) to also drive the CNC, as I won't be able to use both at the same time anyway (as the router will sit on top of the laser) I would like to keep it as far as possible under €1000, at least initially... I may invest in upgrades later, but for now this is where I'm at. budget wise. I like the Ox, but it is rather expensive to start off (esp as a kit)...
