Looking to buy desktop cnc

[Krawler23]

I am looking to buy a desktop cnc router for myself as I have taken a liking to cnc from my shop class in high school. I know a little bit about it but I am very new and need some direction. Now I have been looking at the zenbot desktop routers, which seem very nice for a very reasonable price. I am open to any and all suggestions though. I planned on getting maybe the 1216 version with their control box, the Mach 3 software and unsure of the actual router yet. I do have adobe illustrator which is a very powerful 2d cad program that I planned on using for all my cad. I am just looking for some hands on experience from people to help me make an informed decision both about the actual router and the programs as well. Thanks

[C*H*U*D]

I'd be interested to know what people think about these as well. I have a 3-Axis mill now but like the sizes available with a CNC router table.

How do you plan to get your designs into Mach 3? Do you also have a CAM package in mind or are you proficient with G-code?

[binaryterror]

Originally Posted by Krawler23

I do have adobe illustrator which is a very powerful 2d cad program that I planned on using for all my cad.

It's not a CAD program at all, it can save to DWG AutoCAD files, but they are not perfect. Illustrator is for graphics creation in vector formats.

I use both at work, neither should be considered a replacement for the other.

[Krawler23]

Originally Posted by binaryterror

It's not a CAD program at all, it can save to DWG AutoCAD files, but they are not perfect. Illustrator is for graphics creation in vector formats.

I use both at work, neither should be considered a replacement for the other.

Yea sorry that's what I meant thanks, I know it's not perfect but I can work with it for now then build on it.