I've been researching table top CNC machines. Although I have two now, ROBO router/engraver and the Sherline CNC mill I like what I see in this machine and it's capability with contour milling and a fourth axis. I'm hoping I can get one toward the end of this year when my finance guy tells me I need to draw out $7,000 before the government get's it.
https://www.makera.com/products/carvera-air?variant=46578639470817 (https://www.makera.com/products/carvera-air?variant=46578639470817)
Here's a video of a cute oriental female with a demo of what it can do.
Plus a follow up video.
Something resin printers can't do.
Bernd
What's the price range for those?
Seems 3D printers are around $300-$500. Engravers (Cricut) are $100-$300. Laser Cutters $1000-$3000. (If someone has better numbers, please share them.)
Of course, that doesn't count the cost of the design software or the biggest cost, the time to learn that software....
dave
Quote from: deemery on August 13, 2025, 06:12:45 PMWhat's the price range for those?
Seems 3D printers are around $300-$500. Engravers (Cricut) are $100-$300. Laser Cutters $1000-$3000. (If someone has better numbers, please share them.)
Of course, that doesn't count the cost of the design software or the biggest cost, the time to learn that software....
dave
This will give you all the info.
https://www.makera.com/products/carvera-air?variant=46578639470817 (https://www.makera.com/products/carvera-air?variant=46578639470817)
If you are doing 3D printing you already have and know the software. The Carvera CAM software is part of the package.
The Cricut doesn't have engraving capabilities. All it has is a cutting blade. Kind of tough to cut any kind of metal with that.
The machine I'm looking at is close to $3,000. If you watch the videos it'll show all the material you can use. A printer only allows you to do resin plastic. I don't think resin printed wheels work good on nickel silver rail. No electrical contact.
Bernd
Interesting machine and well produced video.
Quote from: KentuckySouthern on August 16, 2025, 11:26:30 PMInteresting machine and well produced video.
She does excellent videos. Her brother helps in the production of the vides.
Bernd
Something you scratch builders may have not thought about is this machine will cut many different types of materials. You can cut out wood without having a vacuum system suck out the smoke, since there isn't any smoke. Unless your cutters rpm is so high it sets the wood fire. I've never heard of that happening.
The best part is if you want to make a second building as accurately as the first was done you already have a file that will cut parts just like the first one.
Case in point. My critter sheds. One using plywood. The other using acrylic sheet plastic.
(https://www.kingstonemodelworks.com/HOn30QRR/cs-80.JPG)
(https://www.kingstonemodelworks.com/HOn30QRR/cs-81.JPG)
Bernd
Regarding your post (above), Bernd, I wish you would bring that brass boxcab to the front with a nice how-to thread.
It surely looks like a great piece of equipment!
Rich
Quote from: Pennman on August 17, 2025, 10:46:13 AMRegarding your post (above), Bernd, I wish you would bring that brass boxcab to the front with a nice how-to thread.
It surely looks like a great piece of equipment!
Rich
I did the two boxcabs dedicating Geezer here: https://modelersforum.com/index.php?topic=6790.0 (https://modelersforum.com/index.php?topic=6790.0)
Once I'm back home for the season I'll do an SBS on the electric boxcabs.
I'm looking at getting the Carvera this fall and building two HOn3 East Broad Top cabooses and doing an article for RMC. All tentative for right now.
Bernd