CNC 2418 vs 3018 vs 1610

[TheBean]

what is the difference in these cheap chinese cnc's?

CNC 2418 vs 3018 vs 1610

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07169D9JQ

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0778KCLS7

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074PS7ZP6

 

I am completly new to milling. I know nothing about these other than the fact that you cannot do metal in these ones. 

I am looking for a router (max price 250, recommended 200usd)

 

also, whats the difference in those and this one :

https://www.banggood.com/Triaxial-Desktop-DIY-CNC-Micro-Engraving-Machine-Assembling-Kits-p-1055377.html?cur_warehouse=CN

Edited March 2, 2019 by Saksham
link correction

[W-L]

2 minutes ago, Saksham said:

what is the difference in these cheap chinese cnc's?

CNC 2418 vs 3018 vs 1610

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07169D9JQ

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0778KCLS7

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074PS7ZP6

 

I am completly new to milling. I know nothing about these other than the fact that you cannot do metal in these ones. 

I am looking for a router (max price 250, recommended 200usd)

I see very little difference from the photos looks like they all use the same controller and design. Main difference is the working area and what it's capacity is, hence the numbers. 

[TheBean]

1 minute ago, W-L said:

I see very little difference from the photos looks like they all use the same controller and design. Main difference is the working area and what it's capacity is, hence the numbers. 

are you guessing? i want to make sure I buy the right one. 

[W-L]

2 minutes ago, Saksham said:

are you guessing? i want to make sure I buy the right one. 

Check the listings it details for working size, looks like they just used the same set of generic photos for the three different models. 

[DubMFG]

If you're doing small, teeny tiny things, in super soft material, these work OK. If at all possible however save up and buy a Shapeoko/Nomad/MPCNC

[Scheer]

The number is the size, 2418 means 240mm x 180mm in the X and Y. I'm sure there are other small differences, but to be honest I'd avoid these like the plague unless you are just going to be routing PCB traces. These machines aren't going to be able to cut sheets of plywood.

 

IMO, if you can't justify spending $1k+ to build your own, or $2k+ to buy one prebuilt, its not worth throwing your money away on cheaper ones that aren't going to do the job anyways. The first CNC I built I tried to do it under $200 or so, used it once and started over with a $500 ish budget, used it for a few weeks and finally spent a few thousand on parts for something that actually works, could have saved $700... It was really fun building them at least.

[TheBean]

2 hours ago, Scheer said:

The number is the size, 2418 means 240mm x 180mm in the X and Y. I'm sure there are other small differences, but to be honest I'd avoid these like the plague unless you are just going to be routing PCB traces. These machines aren't going to be able to cut sheets of plywood.

 

IMO, if you can't justify spending $1k+ to build your own, or $2k+ to buy one prebuilt, its not worth throwing your money away on cheaper ones that aren't going to do the job anyways. The first CNC I built I tried to do it under $200 or so, used it once and started over with a $500 ish budget, used it for a few weeks and finally spent a few thousand on parts for something that actually works, could have saved $700... It was really fun building them at least.

thanks for that. I actually found a better way. i didnt know this, but my high school actually has a tormac cnc in their engineering department. I am going to ask if i can use it under supervision. 

[Scheer]

4 hours ago, Saksham said:

thanks for that. I actually found a better way. i didnt know this, but my high school actually has a tormac cnc in their engineering department. I am going to ask if i can use it under supervision. 

What are you trying to make and from what material? The ones you linked and a Tormach are completely different sides of the CNC world. Even a Tormach might not work for what you want.

[TheBean]

23 hours ago, Scheer said:

What are you trying to make and from what material? The ones you linked and a Tormach are completely different sides of the CNC world. Even a Tormach might not work for what you want.

i was just trying to custom make some rainbow6 operator logo's in wood in 3D. the tormachs have accuracy of 0.001 inches so its enough for me. i cant think of a reason not to use one. 

[Scheer]

14 hours ago, Saksham said:

i was just trying to custom make some rainbow6 operator logo's in wood in 3D. the tormachs have accuracy of 0.001 inches so its enough for me. i cant think of a reason not to use one. 

Unless they have the Kress or Speeder spindle option added on, the spindle will likely be too slow. Depending on the model, its pry going to max out at 5k or 10k RPM.

 

 

It can't hurt to try anyways, but I usually run 20-25k RPM at 80ipm, 1/4" carbide upcut bit at .1" DOC. Definitely get an upcut bit if you have to run at a slower speed, it will help pull the chips out so they can't sit in there and burn.