Checking here and the Openbuilds group.

General CNC CNC Routers
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Checking here and the Openbuilds group. We’re in the final stretch of buying things for our Black Friday C-Beam XL machine for our FIRST FTC Robotics Team. Last items to buy are a TinyG controller, a router/spindle, and some bits (& collets if needed). Looking for some opinions though. Budget wise, we’re likely looking at using a Dewalt DW618M. Home Depot has them on sale for about $120. But, is there a compelling reason/justification to shift to an 800W spindle+inverter? The cost difference is pretty big ($370@SMW3D vs $120) which would buy a lot of bits and aluminum stock. I’m not sure how different the runout and/or usability is for the wood router vs spindle.

Any recommendations on alternate suppliers (and suppliers for inexpensive aluminum cutting bits).

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I used to use a DW660 and honestly that thing is so loud I stopped using the machine. The upgrade to the 800w water cooled spindle was like night and day. Plus the accuracy of my cuts went up, having precise control of spindle speed makes a huge difference to bit life and surface finish. In my opinion a spindle is so worth the extra cash.