Ready for a CNC, not sure Spindle or Laser - searched posts but no relevant answers - thoughts?

[tg_vegas]

I'm new to the whole Cue Making process (2-1/2 years). As I've posted before, I do NOT consider myself a cue maker despite making and selling a few dozen merry widows and tons of shafts.

I have the usual suspects, CueMan Deluxe with ball screw feed, live threading, taper setup, drill press, table saw, router table, dust collection, etc.. What I outsource now is laser engraving for logos and various insert work. I want to get into that next.

I've searched the forums for advice on CNC machines but have found little. The Sharks and others are limited to smaller formats, mostly squares. I'm not sure if the best next step is a water-cooled spindle on a 4-axis machine or the same on a C02 Laser. I don't have a huge amount of space for this machine but don't want the typical buyers remorse either.

Looking for recommendations on the right machine for my next steps forward into this work. I want a way to do engraving for logos and inserts and possibly a way to taper more efficiently than the long process on my CueSmith Deluxe.

Thoughts and recommendations welcome!

Thanks.

 

[Kim Bye]

A cnc will let you do a lot more than engrave your logo and if you get the right machine you can add a laser module next to your spindle, so you can have both.
I would look for a 4 axis cnc with a bed long enough to turn a whole cue. My cnc is 28x48. It has a shaft spinner, a 4 axis harmonic drive setup and room for other stuff like a vacuum table, veneer jig etc.

 

[whammo57]

if money is no problem... buy the Rage from Unique.......... you can do the same... after a little setup... with a chinese 60-40 or a 90-60..... shop around... a CNC will take you to the next level