Selecting a CNC router

Work with your vendor to decide which CNC router is most appropriate for your applications. In general, you want to avoid buying more or less than you need. Purchasing unnecessary bells and whistles is just a waste of money, and buying a machine that’s less than you need reduces your overall return on investment.

Overall dependability is important, too. The router you purchase should be reliable and durable so it handles all of your carving and cutting needs with minimal problems, as well as easy to maintain so it keeps running smoothly.

Do test runs on your materials
Not all material is created equal – heavy wood like oak is more difficult to cut than plywood or plastic, and will require a stronger machine.

If the material you are cutting is very thick, some routers may not be able to cut it in one pass, and will need to make multiple passes to get the job done. Do some test cuts before deciding: you should experience only minimal vibrations and your cuts should be smooth and accurate.

Software and training
Also make sure you are comfortable with the software for your router: it should be fairly easy to program and to fix errors. The best way to become accustomed with the software is to take advantage of the training that most vendors offer.

Depending on your computer and design knowledge, training may only take a couple of days. It may cost $500 to $1,000 per day, but to get the most out of this significant investment, it’s important to learn all you can about the software.

Price vs. total cost
Cost is obviously a huge factor in your decision and it’s only natural that you want the best deal. Just make sure the price isn’t the only thing you’re concerned with. You need to consider your total cost of ownership.

A less expensive model might save you money initially, but if it doesn’t provide enough speed or capacity for your future needs, you may need an expensive upgrade down the line. You also need to consider what short-term and long-term benefits the unit can provide, such as reducing your operating expenses and labor costs.

Size and weight matter, too
CNC routers are often heavy, space-consuming machines. If you are working with extremely large pieces of material, you may need an even larger machine than is typical. Make sure you have the physical space for the models you’re evaluating, and that your floors can support the significant weight of the machine.