CNC question for pocket knife makers

[Evan Wilson]

I am interested in possible getting a desktop CNC to start making small batches of pocket knives and was wondering if there are any machines that makers would recommend?
Is it worth buying one to cut and mill liners and parts?
What amount of money am I looking at having to shill out for a machine that can handle steel,brass and possibly Titanium?

I've had limited experience with CNC and CAD how much of a learning curve to design and create the cutting paths?
Is it possible to outsource the CAD design and cutting paths to someone who will create the needed files so I can just run the machine?

is there anything I may be missing or have failed to consider asking about?

 

[JoeBusic]

I am interested in possible getting a desktop CNC to start making small batches of pocket knives and was wondering if there are any machines that makers would recommend?
Is it worth buying one to cut and mill liners and parts?

No

What amount of money am I looking at having to shill out for a machine that can handle steel,brass and possibly Titanium?

>20k

I've had limited experience with CNC and CAD how much of a learning curve to design and create the cutting paths?

medium

Is it possible to outsource the CAD design and cutting paths to someone who will create the needed files so I can just run the machine?

Yes. Cost will freeze your mind.

is there anything I may be missing or have failed to consider asking about?

Probably.

 

[Evan Wilson]

No

>20k

medium

Yes. Cost will freeze your mind.

Probably.

Thanks for the answering I guess I will need to sell one of my kidney's before looking at this again.
I was hoping for things to cost more in the range of 3k to 7k.

jigs,hard work and just more time will get the same stuff done.

 

[JoeBusic]

There are drill presses with CNC kits available for that money. Smaller steel jobs are workable. Ti is tricky, dunno if it could work.

 

[Evan Wilson]

There are drill presses with CNC kits available for that money. Smaller steel jobs are workable. Ti is tricky, dunno if it could work.

might try looking at something like that in the future,I would not expect it to work Ti as long as steel is possible.
thanks for the info it gives me somethings to look at and consider.

 

[Evan Wilson]

I've got the information I was looking for so I will lock the tread and call it there.
Thanks JoeBusic for the info.