A discussion on what a CNC router is and the considerations in choosing one.
Almost anywhere you go, you are sure to see wood in one form or another. Whether it is in intricately carved wooden door or a simple wooden handrail, wood is still used everywhere despite the growth in popularity of various kinds of plastics and metals. This timeless quality can be attributed to the charm and appeal that wood can bring to any furniture or fixture. But have you ever stopped to wonder how all those wooden items are created from trees? Unlike plastic and metal, one cannot transform wood into another form for it to be molded into a specific shape or figure. Instead, what many woodworking companies use are various woodworking machineries.
Some of the more familiar names of woodworking machines are the wood moulder, the panel saw, and the edgebander. A CNC router, which in this day of the internet may connote a relation to networks, is actually an important woodworking machine. It is a tool that can be programmed to create an object from wood. You can think of a CNC router as a wood printer that ‘prints out’ a particular design according to the specifications that you have entered in the computer. Having a CNC router gives you an unlimited number of possibilities in terms of what you can do with a piece of wood.
But before you go and buy yourself a CNC router, there are several things you need to consider. Whether you are planning on getting a CNC router for business or personal use, below are some of the things you need to learn.
• Scale. CNC routers are defined by their scales. The scale determines the size with which you can cut your wood into. Identify the smallest and largest dimensions that you want your CNC router to be able to handle and make sure that the one you are getting can handle these dimensions.
• Support. Operating a CNC router cannot be mastered with just a few runs so make sure that your seller provides after sales support. Get a number that you can call if you need any help with your CNC router. Also, ask about any support forums for customers who bought CNC routers.
• Warranty. You would not want your CNC router to break down after just a few weeks and then be left with an unusable machine. Clarify the warranty period and the terms and conditions that come with it.
• Parts and upgrades. Ask the supplier about the availability of parts and their costs. This will help you plan ahead for any future replacements or upgrades that you may want to make. Steer clear of CNC routers whose parts are not available because you might need them in the future if any part of your CNC router needs to be replaced.
If you are looking for a trusted supplier of CNC routers and other woodworking machines, check out FASTCNC.com.
