The sheer diversity of options can be overwhelming when you're planning on buying a saw or wood machine for your project.
A CNC wood machine is the best option, thanks to its extreme versatility and cost-efficiency for a number of wood working applications.
In this article, we'll take a close look at the following:
The price of a CNC saw, or wood machine can vary significantly depending on what you buy. With a range spanning from under $1,000 to over $300,000, the market can be overwhelming.
You can buy an entry-level hobbyist router for as little as $150, but it will have limited capabilities. It will also lack the wherewithal of more extensive, better-constructed machines.
A medium-sized CNC machine without industrial abilities costs around $1,500. While it will be better than a hobbyist's device, it still won't manage the workload required by a business.
If you're looking for a well-priced CNC with plenty of versatility, 3-axis CNC routers meet the mark. They cost between $25,000 and $60,000.
You can also buy larger devices with more axes that fall short of industrial standards. Their costs range from as little as $60,000 to well over $200,000.
Top-of-the-range machines designed for industry use go for a minimum of $200,000 and can cost considerably more, depending on the product's abilities.
Before buying a wood saw machine, you need to decide what you want. Some essential factors to consider include:
While there are many excellent CNC machines for wood, we believe that the best type is the 3-axis CNC router.
These machines are affordable, readily available, and highly versatile. With some ingenuity, you can easily accomplish many of the tasks you'd otherwise perform with a lathe, or a wood saw machine.
These devices also come in a variety of sizes, including the following:
When you buy a CNC wood cutter machine, you get several advantages, including:
All in all, you'd spend well over the $25,000 base price for a 3-axis CNC without the time benefits.
There are many different types of CNC saw and wood machines. Some of them only have a single purpose, while others are more diverse.
Below, we'll take a closer look at some of the CNC types and their purposes.
CNC lathes are specialist devices that focus on producing workpieces with inner and outer diameters. For example, you may use these machines if you want to make wooden tubes that will become a part of display lights or simple machines.
The most basic lathes have only two axes, with their cutting tools mounted in a specific position. Since the workpiece fits on a rotating spindle, these machines work best when creating cylindrical objects or other objects which require uniform cutting around the circumference.
You can expect to pay around $6,000 to $80,000 for one of these machines. If you buy an industrial version, it may cost well over $100,000.
A CNC router is probably the most versatile wood-cutting machine. These devices see use by a plethora of different industries, including:
Since these routers can cut both two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes, they can accomplish more than any other machine on this list. Almost anything you can achieve with an engraver or lathe, you can do with a router.
Depending on how large the machine is, you can expect the following price ranges:
Engineered designed these devices specifically to engrave wood or metal parts. Much of the engraved branding you see on furniture and mechanical parts is the result of this process.
Typically, engravers employ a laser or rotary tool to make their mark. Their uses are pretty limited and primarily extend to engraving and delicate scrollwork.
These machines may cost as much as $70,000.
The laser cutter is arguably the best wood cutting machine for crafts. Many of the slot-together children's toys you see in craft stores result from the laser cutting process.
You may also see trinkets, coasters, and other small objects created by these machines.
As the name implies, these devices employ a laser to mark, cut, or engrave the workpiece. Laser cutters are incredibly versatile and operate with pinpoint accuracy.
Along with the routers, laser cutters are the jacks-of-all-trades of the CNC industry. They can cut, engrave, carve, and do scrollwork with equal ease.
The disadvantage of these machines is that they tend to be high-priced. These machines can easily cost between $70,000 and $300,000.
You may be able to find a cheaper laser-cutting wood saw machine, but it will probably be a cutter or an engraver, not a tool with multiple purposes.
In some cases, a standard CNC router or mill may also be able to take an additional laser.
Yes, the CNC is a valuable wood cutter machine. These machines may be complete mills, lathes, routers, engravers, or laser cutters.
While engineers have designed some CNC machines to work purely on metal, most devices can work on wood or multiple materials.
Depending on the machine you buy, a CNC may work in several ways.
The first set of differences lies in how you attach the work object. It could:
The next set of differences lies in the cutting tool. These machines may feature:
The basic principles remain the same regardless of the type of machine you choose. A CNC saw, or wood machine, has a series of axes or cutting paths.
The axes move the cutting tool or laser over the work object to cut, engrave, or route the design. Each CNC machine uses software that you program to tell the device how and where to cut the workpiece.
While there are many types of saws and wood-cutting machines on the market, the CNC is one of the most versatile.
There are many different types, but we recommend the 3-axis CNC for extreme versatility and cost efficiency. These machines can work as routers, engravers, or cutters. With some effort, you can also accomplish many of the things you'd do with a lathe.
Please get in touch with us if you'd like to know more about these machines and what they can do for you. We'll be happy to help you determine what you need from your device and to assemble a package that meets your needs.
Comments will be approved before showing up.