[jfrancis]

Sears CAD/CAM carving machine for under $2000

Compact, computer-controlled, 3-dimensional woodworking machine with an easy-to-use interface. It allows a novice to make a complete project without a shop full of tools.

link

[superbad]

Pretty cool. If you've got a bit of skill though, you can build a much more capable mini CNC machine for that kind of money. I made a little Taig 3 axis mill about 5 years ago using Gecko drives. It could tear through aluminum, and would cut steel if you didn't get too aggressive.

Interesting to see Sears getting into this market- I wonder how much customer support they are having to provide. No matter how easy you try to make it, this is still a pretty complicated product.

[markps]

Yeah I've had a Taig Mill too.. http://www.taigtools.com/ it would cut stainless steel and make 30ipm!

If you add the $1200 CNC ready taig plus the drivers and motor that you can find on e-bay for $200 with about $1400 you are waaaay better than that sears toy ;o)

Cheers!

[jfrancis]

Build a fabricator at home
New Scientist covers Fab@Home, a collaborative project to spec a fully-functional home fabricator at a cost within reach:

http://www.fabathome.org/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page

http://www.boingboing.net/2007/01/09/bu ... tor_a.html

http://www.newscientisttech.com/article ... ution.html