I'm absolutely new to the CNC machine. I have (over average) knowledge of the PC. I built my 1st PC in the mid-90s as well as being online every day since. I'm 51 living alone with zero traffic around my home. That being said, I have a bedroom (maybe 10'x10') that is 100% empty. Being a mechanic, I have an air compressor and just about every tool (along with plenty of carpenter tools) I need. Artistic talent has been with me since birth as well as both parents. Enough of that... I'm interested in car audio, and I'd like to build speaker enclosures, mostly pods, for door panels. I want to start out with MDF; design and make some for retail so I can see where it goes. I have only a high school education, but I feel like if you market a product right, you can sell anything (even heaters in hell will sell, lol). Okay, say I have $700. Well, let's say, $500 to kick around. What machine would get me started? I'm not looking to be rich, but I don't want to purchase the wrong machine. Because 500 isn't pocket change for me... Is there anyone with some ideas? Anyone who knows what I'm talking about when I say speaker pods, etc.? Any and all advice is much appreciated.
you need to talk about the breakdown of cost that newbies should charge clients, how much to charge for different materials, how much to charge for the time it takes to machine, and why. etc.
I think anyone new to cnc has to consider how mind boggling it is to understand all the concepts of the machine use, software use, and digital design/3d design aspects. Joining a makerspace is a great way to immerse yourself into the entire process in a shorter perioud of time.
Great intro to the considerations. I've got a couple of Hobby/retirement biz projects that I'm working on, that are going to require CNC. The majority of which will easily fit on a 2'x4' or even the smaller machines like the 4040 ProMAX. I have a few low volume pieces that will be on the order of 2" x 3" x 13' long. I'm obviously not going to have a machine with a 13' long bed, and the stock comes ususally in 8' sheets. Some insight into the difficulties, and software capability for sectioning up jobs to accomodate machining oversize pieces would be a great subject.
Anolex makes great machines.... im done with saint smart machine with them dumb rubber rollers... you want linear rails, ball screws, closed loop steppers and a decent spindle !
@JamesDeanDesigns been following your channel for awhile and I appreciate the knowledge you have shared! Anolex are solid machines ! Good price as well
I got myself a Nymolabs machine for the same reason. Got all the stuff you want in your second machine (trim router, ball screws, linear rails, offline control), in the first purchase.
More than likely. Most companies do 👍 I dont find black Friday deals to be as good as they used, typically they have been at those prices previously but still a saving to be had
Thank you James for once again providing us with a very informative video! As a fairly new owner of the Genmitsu 4040 pro I’m just wondering what lubricants/grease you use on your machines please? Thank you very much!
@johnprosser2142 thank you for the kind words. Even though the lead screws are covered dust still does land on them so you'll want to use something like a PTFE based dry lubricant. WD40 do a good one will a straw nozzle making it easier to apply
@Thisissomeone12432 yes, that will narrow down the machine you select. This was mainly about focusing on costs. I'm hoping to do another video soon about finding the right machine which will cover space 👍
Again very good and useable information James! I’m still deciding which CNC to buy.. Of course the bigger machines like the long mill are beter and faster… But can you say something about how much more material you can cut in one pass in comparison to like an Sainsmart 4040 Pro Max? So how many passes do you need for 18mm plywood or MDF on both machines? Or is this mainly depending on the router or the spindel you are using?
A lot of variables in that question. The stronger the frame, the stronger the stepper motors, the deeper you can go. For example something like the FoxAlien XE Pro, nema 23 closed loop steppers with the additional liner rail upgrade will cut deeper and faster than the Longmill but equally is only 400 x 400 work area which is small in comparison to the Longmill.
@ so besides this FoxAlien XE Pro the bigger CNC’s can cut more part’s/products in the same time!? They say you should buy your 2e CNC first.. so maybe I should skip the desktop cnc and buy a size up.. even if the shipping cost are high for customers in Europe.
@alexandersievewright3842 hello again 😆 The 3s has stronger stepper motors, can achieve higher speeds and faster acceleration making it great for laser and CNC but if its mainly CNC then the 4040 pro is likely to be the better choice for you
I have an outur 10w laser and a k40. I do also have a 3040 Chinese router with mach 3 but i hate it. Ps thankyou for swift response... @JamesDeanDesigns
Cool stuff thank you! - Question i noticed you were using a rotery tool on the sainsmart.. do you happen to know if those work on say a 3020 pro max v2?
I don't think so. I think there are rotary devices available for the 3020 but the one you see in this video is a true 4th axis device which is a little different
For Maker Plus, yes or you can buy it outright. They usually have a black Friday sale for $999. This is better than Vectrics top software and significantly cheaper
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Sainsmart 4040 Pro Max shrsl.com/4oyma
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I'm absolutely new to the CNC machine. I have (over average) knowledge of the PC. I built my 1st PC in the mid-90s as well as being online every day since. I'm 51 living alone with zero traffic around my home. That being said, I have a bedroom (maybe 10'x10') that is 100% empty. Being a mechanic, I have an air compressor and just about every tool (along with plenty of carpenter tools) I need. Artistic talent has been with me since birth as well as both parents. Enough of that...
I'm interested in car audio, and I'd like to build speaker enclosures, mostly pods, for door panels. I want to start out with MDF; design and make some for retail so I can see where it goes. I have only a high school education, but I feel like if you market a product right, you can sell anything (even heaters in hell will sell, lol). Okay, say I have $700. Well, let's say, $500 to kick around. What machine would get me started? I'm not looking to be rich, but I don't want to purchase the wrong machine. Because 500 isn't pocket change for me... Is there anyone with some ideas? Anyone who knows what I'm talking about when I say speaker pods, etc.? Any and all advice is much appreciated.
you need to talk about the breakdown of cost that newbies should charge clients, how much to charge for different materials, how much to charge for the time it takes to machine, and why. etc.
I think anyone new to cnc has to consider how mind boggling it is to understand all the concepts of the machine use, software use, and digital design/3d design aspects.
Joining a makerspace is a great way to immerse yourself into the entire process in a shorter perioud of time.
@@FunDumb 100% agree. Cost is only 1 element
Great and informative as usual James :)
Glad you enjoyed it 👍
I know there's a larger US market for cnc, but as a Brit would be nice if you included gbp, even if half the machines aren't available here lol
This was super interesting and very thorough. Great job, James!
Thank you 🙏
Great intro to the considerations. I've got a couple of Hobby/retirement biz projects that I'm working on, that are going to require CNC. The majority of which will easily fit on a 2'x4' or even the smaller machines like the 4040 ProMAX. I have a few low volume pieces that will be on the order of 2" x 3" x 13' long. I'm obviously not going to have a machine with a 13' long bed, and the stock comes ususally in 8' sheets. Some insight into the difficulties, and software capability for sectioning up jobs to accomodate machining oversize pieces would be a great subject.
Excellent video, thank you!
Another great video filled with great information... Thanks as always james
Glad you enjoyed it
Anolex makes great machines.... im done with saint smart machine with them dumb rubber rollers... you want linear rails, ball screws, closed loop steppers and a decent spindle !
They do look like good machines 👍
@JamesDeanDesigns been following your channel for awhile and I appreciate the knowledge you have shared! Anolex are solid machines ! Good price as well
I got myself a Nymolabs machine for the same reason. Got all the stuff you want in your second machine (trim router, ball screws, linear rails, offline control), in the first purchase.
great vid... do you know if sainsmart or others are having any black friday deals on the 29th (or whenever the last friday is)?
More than likely. Most companies do 👍
I dont find black Friday deals to be as good as they used, typically they have been at those prices previously but still a saving to be had
Thanks for that James.
No problem 😊
Thank you James for once again providing us with a very informative video! As a fairly new owner of the Genmitsu 4040 pro I’m just wondering what lubricants/grease you use on your machines please? Thank you very much!
@johnprosser2142 thank you for the kind words. Even though the lead screws are covered dust still does land on them so you'll want to use something like a PTFE based dry lubricant. WD40 do a good one will a straw nozzle making it easier to apply
The trick is, to use whatever machine you have to create a bigger and better machine!
Sounds like you come from a 3D printing background 😁
One other thing is what space do you have to work with.
@Thisissomeone12432 yes, that will narrow down the machine you select. This was mainly about focusing on costs. I'm hoping to do another video soon about finding the right machine which will cover space 👍
Again very good and useable information James! I’m still deciding which CNC to buy.. Of course the bigger machines like the long mill are beter and faster… But can you say something about how much more material you can cut in one pass in comparison to like an Sainsmart 4040 Pro Max? So how many passes do you need for 18mm plywood or MDF on both machines? Or is this mainly depending on the router or the spindel you are using?
A lot of variables in that question. The stronger the frame, the stronger the stepper motors, the deeper you can go. For example something like the FoxAlien XE Pro, nema 23 closed loop steppers with the additional liner rail upgrade will cut deeper and faster than the Longmill but equally is only 400 x 400 work area which is small in comparison to the Longmill.
@ so besides this FoxAlien XE Pro the bigger CNC’s can cut more part’s/products in the same time!? They say you should buy your 2e CNC first.. so maybe I should skip the desktop cnc and buy a size up.. even if the shipping cost are high for customers in Europe.
I’m thinking in buying the sainsmart 4040 pro max what would be a good laptop to go with it please.
I'm torn between the foxalien masuter s3 and the genmitsu 4040pro max. which would you recommend best price and precision out the box
@alexandersievewright3842 hello again 😆
The 3s has stronger stepper motors, can achieve higher speeds and faster acceleration making it great for laser and CNC but if its mainly CNC then the 4040 pro is likely to be the better choice for you
I have an outur 10w laser and a k40. I do also have a 3040 Chinese router with mach 3 but i hate it. Ps thankyou for swift response... @JamesDeanDesigns
2:25 Or as we say around my parts: Buy once, cry once.
Cool stuff thank you! - Question i noticed you were using a rotery tool on the sainsmart.. do you happen to know if those work on say a 3020 pro max v2?
I don't think so. I think there are rotary devices available for the 3020 but the one you see in this video is a true 4th axis device which is a little different
Longmill is awesome, but to expensive for Germany
Sadly yes. Shipping across the Atlantic stacks up 😕
@ yep shipping and Tax in Germany
600 a year for sw?
For Maker Plus, yes or you can buy it outright. They usually have a black Friday sale for $999. This is better than Vectrics top software and significantly cheaper
Wish I held off until this video 😢