Member postings for Alex Sutcliff

Okay thank you. I am open to falling back on a handheld router jig with a cheap hobby cnc or laser for decals but It sounds like I could also do it all by CNC if I just need more power.

@Jason b you mentioned your hobby machine would cope but dare I ask what machine you are using?

@Silly old duffer how much more of a powerful machine are we talking? Any suggestions?

Thanks for all your feedback. I'm looking at the cnc option over the circular saw or simple router option because it would also serve as a hobby besides just making the lids. I'm just using the lid manufacturing to justify the purchase if I'm honest!

As for the spec, in hindsight I think the lids would be 14-18mm thickness as a maximum and the more realistic output expectation is around 150 per month but in batches of maybe 15- 30 in a day. I would also consider swapping out for pine if this would be easier to cut through than MDF.

I don't know if this all put together would make any difference if I increased the budget to £500 to get a better machine perhaps but that's the most I would want to put into this hobby I think.

I'm looking to buy a cheap hobby CNC machine to cut circles in wood to make lids for glass container candles. I like the idea of having the flexibility of changing and improving the design with engraving later down the line but for now I just need to cut a decent circle and maybe rout out a lip.

I need to be able to bang them out fairly quickly with space for two at a time and be able to send the design from my pc in the Lounge to the CNC in the garage either remotely or via USB stick.

I don't mind having to do a quick sand down of the edges but I want to be able to do 50 in a day without a long cutting time or preparation past the initial setup.

The lids would be either MDF or pine 20 ml thick with diameter of 100 ml. I was looking at something like the 3018 or anything around the £200 to £300 mark. I wonder if this would be strong enough and fast enough for my requirements? How long might it take to cut this circle and what power input rating motor would cope with my wood thickness?

Any advice on this would be much appreciated

Alex