Let me know what you find… 
“Sorry we don’t do CNC routers” - jerks. They only have big serious bizniz CNC mills 
Looks like these guys sell a larger version of that machine (or at least very similar - same model number scheme):
cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll … 0685987916
Unfortunately they are obviously putting a big chunk of the price into the exorbitant postage fee to make it look cheap. I’ve asked them if I can pick up 
I started out this whole train of thought looking at the Probotix Fireball haha Maybe I should just suck it up and cop the $300 shipping.
They have a good reputation.
And you can get everything from there. So only one place and only one shipping cost.
I don’t know if they are strong enought for aluminum… “Alan…?”
Sounds like they can do it slowly (and shallow) but really for me it’s just a bonus - I’ll probably mostly cut Lexan and carbon fibre, but I’d like to be able to do a bit of aluminium without upgrading. I guess I can get a milling machine down the track if it comes to that. Hrmmm
Those probotix look real nice to me.
Might order one when I’m back from travel… Thanks for the help Fonz!
They look great, I might get you to make one for me soon. I passed your link to your member page on the rcgroup forum on to a few friends who are interested too.
Here is another D.I.Y CNC I found out the other day; it was originially a kick starter project. The new version has CNC machined parts, everything included for $465. Not too shabby 
look nice…
What is the cutting area ?
It’s using a dremel type tool for the spindle (only good for thin plastic) and the work area is really tiny. They will not answer what hardness or types of metal it will cut, claiming it’s a difficult question to answer, and it depends on what end mill you choose. They do have video of it cutting aluminum, but will not give any information on it. It appears that it is cutting a part at 1" per hour and .001" depth per pass. LOL The only thing “difficult” about answering the question about cutting metal, is if they answer it truthfully they would have to say it can’t do it, and they would lose sales. There are much better systems out there. They are very careful as to their wording, and nowhere on the site do I see a spec for how large the work area is. Run away…
Specifications:
Working Area Dimensions
Table Dimensions 7 ¾†[197 mm] x 12†[305 mm]
Table Travel 9 ½†[241 mm]
Modifiable to add up to 4 ½ additional inches (to max 15†[381 mm] - see Comprehensive Plans & Manual eBook)
Working Height Clearance 3†[76 mm]
Max Spindle Height 5†[127 mm]
Y axis travel 6" [152 mm]
Z axis travel 4" [102 mm]
Ah, ok, then… Step back slowly, don’t show fear, then run! lol
Yeah, it’s clearly for very light materials. They should say so!
Trim routers like the Bosh Colt or DeWalt are better as they are designed to take lateral loads.
same goes for attempting to do anything other then very light “milling” passes on a drill press. the spindle bearings simply aren’t designed for the lateral loads, and they have too much run-out.
Alan KM6VV
Alan & Jim - do you guys have any thoughts about cutting aluminium on something like the Probotix Fireball with a Colt/similar spindle? I’ve read some anecdotal evidence that it’s doable, albeit slowly. I’m not intending to cut a lot of aluminium on it, I’d just like to have the option without buying a milling machine at this point.
I wish I’d become interested in CAM stuff a few years back - this is the machine the place I worked at around 2006 has: nl.dmg.com/en,turning,ctxalpha500?opendocument