ALLAN KUNTZ wrote on Nov 22^nd, 2019 at 5:20pm:


Yes, they can cut clean enough for an inlay (no sharp corners though) only as tight as the diameter of the bit you use.
As for thickness, I believe it depends on the machine, meaning the router mounted in the carriage.
1 1/4" hardwood is a lot of material to go through, you'll probably need a 3HP for that.
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I work in a shop with a commercially-sized Biesse CNC, valued at just over $100,000. While the motors are certainly capable of pushing bits through hardwood that thick, there is no way that a small diamerter bit would survive doing it in one pass. That is not a problem as it is simply done in several passes. If you want fine detail, you will likely be using 1/16" bits. They will take several passes, and slow feed rates to get through hardwood that thick.

I have a Sienci long mill on order. It will be powered by a 1.25 HP Makita router. The guys that I've spoken to on the forums say that they take 6 or 7 passes to go through 3/4 material. Think about using a router that small by hand. There is no way you could push it through thick hardwood in one go. The CNC is no different. It does not add any capacity to the router and the bit. It simply automates the process.

Grant Wilkinson wrote on Nov 23^rd, 2019 at 12:24pm:


As Arlin said
You need to ensure that the unit you get has software that will accommodate that process.

I agree that while cutting using multiple small passes to achieve a final cut depth you don't need high HP but it can be something to consider depending on what and how you intend to use your machine.
There are units with very small motors and as always upgrade are available, like larger motors and even water cooled motors for more demanding tasks. I would suggest, like anything else, get the most you can afford.