Gatton CNC FAQ

Q: What is a Gatton CNC?

A: A Gatton CNC is an affordable easy to build DIY hobby CNC kit made just for the hobby CNC enthusiast.

Q: What is included with the purchase of a Gatton CNC parts kit?

A: The Gatton CNC parts kit comes with twenty-one of the parts that are cut on a CNC for accuracy. The only parts you have to supply are simple rectangle parts that can be cut on a table saw or with a circular saw with a guide. Each Gatton CNC parts kit also includes a set very detailed plan drawings that are available in Inches-Fractions, Inches-Decimal, or Metric-Millimeters. You can choose which unit of measure you are most comfortable working with. The plan drawings specify all the components needed to complete your Gatton CNC and there are links to many of them.

Q: I've never built anything like this before so how will I know if I have the skills to build a Gatton CNC?

A: One of the things many people do before purchasing a Gatton CNC is to watch the video series I made of building a Gatton CNC? In the videos I take a step by step approach to show that building a CNC is not "rocket science". If you take your time, follow the plan drawings and videos, and make sure each step is correct before moving on to the next step anyone can build a Gatton CNC.

Q: How do I get started building a Gatton CNC?

A: The first step is deciding where you're going to put your Gatton CNC and how big you plan to build it. Then you can order the Gatton CNC parts kit and plans and begin building the base/workbench for it to sit on. In the build videos I build one to sit on a benchtop but most people build a roll around table with casters and use the underneath area for storage and a location for the electronics. One of the great advantages of a Gatton CNC is that you can build it exactly like the plan drawings or you can add or subtract from the plan dimensions to make it larger or smaller so that it is a perfect fit for your shop.

The picture above is an example of a Gatton CNC built to the dimensions in the plan drawings. I would recommend building a table/cabinet approximately 58” wide by at least 56” deep. The dimensions shown in the picture below are my minimum recommended distance from each wall. If you build your table/cabinet on locking casters you could push the machine against the wall as long as you have room to pull it out away from the wall 24” or so should you need to get to that side of the machine.

When you build your Gatton CNC to the dimensions in the plan drawings you will have a “cutting area” of approximately 42” x 34”. The Gatton CNC plans are easily adaptable to make a smaller or larger cutting area by adding to or subtracting from the plan dimensions. For example, if you wanted to have a cutting area of 48” x 48” you would need to take the size of the plywood table (which is 48” x 48” in the plans) and add a minimum of 6” to the width (X direction) and a minimum of 14” to the depth (Y direction). Keep in mind that those are the bare minimum you would have to add. Depending on how you plan to hold down your material (clamping) you will need even more width on the X direction.

Q: How much does it cost to build a complete Gatton CNC?

A: If you build your Gatton CNC to the plans you will have somewhere around $1000-$1500 in your build excluding a computer and software. However, some people will spend more and some people will spend less depending on how many "extras" they want to add to their machine. Adding drag chains for wire management, limit/homing switches, a touch plate for zeroing the Z axis, and a MPG pendant are really nice to have but are not crucial in running a hobby CNC machine and another thing to remember is that since the Gatton CNC is a kit you don't have to purchase everything up front like you do with a turnkey machine. If your budget is tight and your time to work on your Gatton CNC build is limited to after you get home from work and weekends there's no sense in purchasing your electronics until you are ready for them which is the last thing you will put on your build.

Things to think about when choosing your first CNC router

I often see people post a question in forums and Facebook groups that goes something like this, "I'm looking to get into CNC routing and I'm a total newbie so what machine should I buy?" And of course, right away they face a barrage of answers from people that, although their intentions may be good, they really just give the newbie a bad case of confusion. They are basically just saying "I have one of (insert brand of machine here) and I love it so you should buy one too." The individual that is asking for machine advice should take a minute before asking the masses and ask themselves a few simple questions.

Question # 1 What do I plan to use the CNC router for?

Do you have an idea what kinds of things you want to make with the CNC router or are you already making a product and want to automate the process and increase repeatability? In my opinion it's always a good idea to have a real need for a CNC before you make the decision to purchase one. If you have a real need for one it will give you the desire and motivation for learning and unless you already have some experience at running a CNC it can be a pretty big learning curve.

Question # 2 How much shop space can I afford to commit to a CNC router?

How much shop space you have will help to determine what size machine you should be looking to purchase. There are lots of CNC routers out there from itty bitty to gigantic and they all pretty much do the same thing but if you get one that is too small you will quickly outgrow it and if you get one too big you will quickly become frustrated with the amount of shop real estate it takes up making your shop cramped.

Question # 3 What is my realistic budget for a CNC router?

When you sit down to determine your budget for a CNC router you have to think about ALL the things that are needed to run a CNC router. For example, you may or not need a computer/laptop to use with your CNC router. Most people already have one but if you don't you will need to consider this in your budget. If control software is not included with your machine you will need to purchase control software (such as Mach3/4 or UCCNC) or similar. If your machine purchase does not include design/programming software (such as Vectric's V-Carve Pro/Aspire) or similar you will need to purchase that also. You will have to look back at the answer to Question # 1 to help you determine what kind of software you need to buy to make the products you want to make.

While there are many other factors to consider I think the answers to the three questions above should be known to the newbie before they ask the question "what CNC router should I buy." Otherwise, you will get a lot of suggestions for machines that are an unrealistic choice for you. Once you have narrowed down your choices of CNC routers to the ones that are a good match for (1) what you want to make, (2) your available shop space, and (3) your budget then it's a lot easier to make a decision. I would recommend talking to people who own a machine you are interested in purchasing and ask them what kinds of things they make with it to see if it's compatible with what you want to make. For example, if you want to make detailed 3D carvings and signs and that person only uses it to cut 2D parts he will not be able to vouch for it 3D capabilities. Try to find someone in your area that has the same machine you are interested in and see if you can come by for a visit to see it run it person. Remember, if you visit someone who owns and runs a machine they will most likely tell you both the good and the bad things about the machine unlike the salesman at a store or trade show that will only tell you the good things.

Now, after saying all of that, would I like for your first machine to be a Gatton CNC DIY kit? Of course, but it is more important to me that you are happy with whatever CNC you purchase. Just be diligent in your research and you will find the right CNC for you.