A CNC ROUTER FOR HOME USE
With increasing interest in CNC machinery for home use has come greater demand for smaller, ‘desk-top’ style routing equipment.
These smaller machines are surprisingly affordable and yet still offer the flexibility and versatility that larger cnc routers are known for – and more and more people are discovering a wide variety of applications for routed products both domestically and commercially.
These smaller machines usually have engines of around 1 – 2 horsepower and can operate using regular domestic 120 voltage. They fit onto a regular sized workbench and cost in the region of $2000 but the price depends on a number of factors. A used cnc machine can cost a fraction of the price of a new one, plus delivery charges vary from place to place. When it comes to the software, it is generally very easy to use and operators shouldn’t need to have any previous experience of CAD.
However, for many traditionalists, the joy of woodworking was in creating something unique, hand-crafted and finely honed by manual labour. Is it possible that the prevalence of small, home-based cnc routers is killing the woodworking tradition? Are the days of the skilled carpenter numbered as these new machines churn out unique and finely detailed products in an instant?
No, carpenters won’t be replaced by the cnc router. What the cnc router will do however, is open up a world of opportunity for the DIY enthusiast. The list is endless – from doors to furniture, panelling to signage, wooden headboards to cabinets and much, much more.
What’s more, a hobby could easily turn into a profitable little business if the user discovers a market for a product. This could be unique cabinetry, intricate and original front doors, house signage etc etc. The only limit is imagination.
With home-use cnc routers becoming increasingly affordable, demand for these smaller models is on the increase. At the moment, most cnc routers are used in commercial environments, say a Perth multicam supplier, Procam, with the machines used predominantly in the manufacturing industry, kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, signage and woodworking businesses. However, with the arrival of smaller and cheaper machinery, cnc technology is now in the homes of DIY enthusiasts all around the globe.
What does this bode for the old carpenter, who sits for hours at his woodworking table, covered in sawdust and surrounded by wood chips, carving intricate designs by hand with his trusty chisel? People should never be afraid of progress and of learning, and who knows – yesterday’s carpenter could become tomorrow’s entrepreneur using CAD and CNC routing technology!.