I bought an Avid CNC the 4896 Pro with a full 4' by 8' table. I spent over $20,000 buying this machine, and I still had to build it myself! Why did I choose this CNC router over Phantom CNC, Laguna Swift, Grizzly, Shop Sabre, Baileigh, Camaster Stringer III, Legacy Maverick, Grizzly G0895, or a Tormach 24R. I looked at them all, and these are the reasons why I went with Avid. The bottom line: it comes down to what I want to do, and the price. If you are considering a new CNC machine, the first one for beginners, a big one for more advanced operations, or production work, then watch this video to get some of my opinions on why I purchased what I did. What is important to me may not be important to you, so carefully consider all your options! This video is geared towards DIY, creative artists, and genuine woodworkers. If you are just cutting 2D shapes on plywood..then still watch it, as I have some ideas for you so you don't buy the wrong CNC!

One specific thing I forgot to mention in the video: I was targeting a machine with a 4'x8' cutting area. I want the ability to cut a full sheet of plywood but this has some caveats, which you may realize when you see how I setup my machine.

Nick's Video:    • Which is the Best CNC for You? Avid C...  
Jay Bates Vertical Work Table:    • Avid CNC Ep3: Vertical & Horizontal T...  

CNC Build Playlist:    • Avid CNC Build  

Ep 1: What CNC To Buy    • CNC Build Ep 1: What is the Best CNC ...  
Ep 2: Welded CNC Table    • CNC Build Ep 2: How to Weld a CNC Bas...  
Ep 3: Making an Avid CNC Precise:    • CNC Build Ep 3: How to Make an Avid C...  
Ep 4: How to Tram a CNC:    • CNC Build Ep 4: How to Tram a CNC  C...  
Ep 5: Automatic Tool Changer:    • CNC Build Ep 5: How to Setup an Autom...  
Ep 6: ATC Tool Rack Build    • CNC Build Ep 6: Automatic Tool Change...  
Ep 7: ATC Setup in Mach 4    • CNC Build Ep 7: Custom Mach 4 ATC Too...  
Ep 8: ATC Tool Heights    • CNC Build Ep 8: How to Set Tool Heigh...  
Ep 9: ATC Post Processor Setup    • CNC Build Ep 9: ATC Post Processor Mo...  
Ep 10: 3D Printed Dust Boot    • CNC Build Ep 10: Print Your Own CNC D...  
Ep 11: Improving the Avid CNC Table    • CNC Build Ep 11: Improving the Welded...  
Ep 12: CNC Spoilboard    • CNC Build Ep 12: Make the ULTIMATE CN...  

Machines Considered:
Avid CNC: https://www.avidcnc.com
Phantom CNC: http://phantomcncsystems.com
Legacy: https://lwmcnc.com/maverick4x8mtc/
Grizzly: https://www.grizzly.com/products/griz...
Laguna: https://lagunatools.com/cnc/swiftser...
Baileigh: https://www.baileigh.com/cncrouting...
Camaster: https://www.camaster.com/cncrouters/...
Stepcraft: https://www.stepcraft.us

No machine could really do everything I wanted to do within the price range I wanted to pay except the Avid! I did think about Stepcraft, as I could have bought a 4x8 machine for around the same price as my Avid, but I thought I could build something better (more powerful Nema 34 vs Stepcraft's Nema 23 and 3hp max ATC spindle). Stepcrafts ball screws are more appealing for accuracy, which is also really important to me. I could go into so many more details about other things I considered: servo vs stepper motors, motor size, drive details, rack and pinion, helical gears, belt driven vs gear driven there are so many things to consider. Hopefully this video will help you make some decisions on your own.

Corbin Dunn
https://www.corbinstreehouse.com // blog
https://www.corbinsworkshop // CNC Files, STLs, products available

References: Screen shots and references are used under "fair use" for teaching and education about CNC machines.

Dovetail cutting video:    • CNC Project: Using Dovetails on the C...  
from ToolsToday I've bought lots of bits from them over the years!

Chapters:

0:00 Intro
1:14 What Are You Going to Make?
1:55 Vertical Work Table
3:01 The Spindle
5:58 Gantry Height
7:40 Rotary Axis
8:36 Full Display vs Pendant
9:56 A Full PC
10:52 The Work Table
12:39 Machine Build
13:27 Steel Frame Table
14:02 Money, Money, Money
16:09 Other Options

#cncwoodworking #cnc #avidcnc