I’ve been interested in acquiring a CNC Router for quite a while to create new, more complex and precise things with. This will require I learn new design software skills and the technical language that goes with it. Here I’ll share with you the steps I took to research, select, buy, assemble and eventually use the X-Carve 1000mm x 1ooomm I bought from Inventables.
My journey started at the time I decided to build my Merlin Rocket Sailboat in late 2013. Back then, I used many of my decades old tools to build the boat like a Makita 2708 8″ Table Saw, a Makita 2401B 10″ Miter Saw, a Sears Craftsman Router and Jig Saw (both “Electronically Controlled”, I must say!). But for cutting the main boat parts and construction jig, I used a CNC service offered by Austin Fine Lumber & Plywood lumber yard in Austin, Texas, where I purchased my expensive Marine Plywood. In roughly 2-1/2 hours they cut it all for me with great precision and for a fair price. Best investment of time and money I made then. Let me tell you, having used my tools extensively in the past, I saw no value in spending hours lofting the parts and cutting them with my hand power tools, especially when the CAD drawings were available from the sailboat designer. Boat building was to be about learning new wood working skills and composites building techniques.
That’s when the lights came on in my head. What else could I make if I had a CNC machine in my garage? Well, a lot of things came to mind. Sailboat foils, wood/aluminum parts, furniture, wooden art and vintage pieces, medallions, signs, jigs, etc. So many new things I could make came to mind… and still do! The main thing to me iss being able to create things and solutions that are not out there. So I started researching the many CNC forums online and learned different perspectives and considerations I should ponder before making a decision. At one point, I even considered building one myself but the learning curve would be longer than I was willing to wait. Here’s where I landed on my key imperatives:
- VALUE. It has to be a machine that is relatively easy to assemble, operate, maintain and upgrade. A machine with a strong user community that is built by an innovative company.
- PRICE. I was looking for an entry level machine at a very reasonable initial price and total cost of ownership.
- QUALITY. A reliable machine and software designed with users in mind and from a reputable company that stands behind its products.
After much research and consideration, I selected the X-Carve 1000mm x 1000mm from Inventables. It met my set criteria plus love the fact of a J-Tech Laser upgrade option in the near future. I pulled the trigger during the 2017 end of the year holidays and took advantage of the discount. A few weeks later, my X-Carve components began to arrive in separate shipments. Looks like the holiday season was a complete success for Inventables and they had to manage through their supply chain to make their commitments. Overall, they did a good job keeping me up to speed on order status and delivery dates. As I was in the process of moving, it wasn’t a big deal other than the fact that I was going to have to wait a few months before assembling it and using it.
Next, I discuss the table I selected for my X-Carve, a set of 2 Stack-On SOP-AWB-6 Adjustable Height & Length Steel Workbench Frames, bolted together. The adjustable height and length steel frames are exactly what I needed for strength/stability and to mitigate a 3″ offset on the garage floor at the X-Carve’s designated shop location.