Circuit Mill Problem Statement

Overview
Problem Statement

=Problem Statement=

What is the best bootstrapping CNC circuit mill available that could produce all types of through-hole, single or double-sided circuits for prototyping?

=Requirements=


 * 6"x6" working area
 * Ability to make circuits up to Arduino microcontroller clones

=Possible Solutions=

A possible solution is to use an existing open source cnc mill:


 * 1) Mantis Machine 9 - appears to have a boot-strappable stepper controller and microcontroller design that could be made on this $100 mill. Good points - $20 spindle; $100 for everything. Modify this to metal for stability, and this would make a great universal bootstrapping circuit mill to last a lifetime.
 * 2) SnapLock appears to be a robust bootstrapping mill, but the cost is $600 see bill of materials
 * 3) What would the performance of SnapLock be if drive was replaced with precision acme instead of ball screw, and even hardened threaded rod with brass nuts or something similar?
 * 4) Frame snaps into place, no alignment issues. Milled on a ShopBot
 * 5) MyDIYCNC - $580 for complete kit
 * 6) RepRap Prusa Mendel
 * 7) CNC Circuit Mill from Christian in Austria
 * 8) Protobot
 * 9) DIYLILCNC