I’ve been documenting the prototype along the way and thought I’d do an Instructable. I have numerous guitar build threads on another forum, so I may do that. All the information is out there but I prefer non video format stuff. It took me a while to gather all the details to do what I wanted and it shouldn’t be that hard in this day and age. Probably if I’d used AI, I’d be done but I’m old school to some degree.
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I had two open builds and had 3 routers.
I would send it to where you can move the existing bit to touch Z0.
Then I would remove the router with bit1.
Place the next router with bit2 already installed.
Let the bit touch the Z0 surface, then tighten the router.
I was running the same job on both machines that required 3 bits. It was easier just to keep a router with the bit install and swap the routers.
I finally couldn’t take the “play” in the openbuilds. Watched the comparison videos that cic workshop.com did and bought the AltMill 4x4. Faster and more accurate than the Openbuilds.
If that is an Arduino Uno (8 bit) then you have the option of using Estlcam Controller. In my opinion, it is the best control software for GRBL based designs. However, it is not compatible with 32 bit systems. The features such as tool changes, center finding, thread milling, slot cutting on the sides of wood for biscuit joints, surface mapping, and many more. Estlcam’s CAM feature is great as well.
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That link just goes to the root of their website. I would like to see the comparison videos.
Did you mean Our Favorite CNC Machines — CIC Workshop ?
If yes, I did not see it there, but I did see the (excellent!) comparison on YouTube here:
Knowing what I know now, I think I would have scraped up the money to buy the AltMill, even though it is probably almost double what I spent on the OpenBuilds Ox. Because rigidity matters a lot and ballscrews > belts. It looks easier to build, too (aside: I enjoyed building it, but cuss words and beer were involved).
That being said, after watching this video (and already many others buy this same guy!) I think I’m going to stop being a water-cooled spindle snob 
and buy beefy air-cooled spindle similar to the one on the AltMill, as it is simpler and will probably be more than my Ox can handle anyway.
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There is always going to be something new coming down the pike. It is just way faster than it used to be. 20 years ago it was skate bearings and belts and hand written gcode. I look at the machine based on what I need it to do. The X carve with modifications was fine. You’d be surprised what extra extrusion will do for rigidity. I really didn’t need to go with an Openbuilds machine but the option of doing my own thing was just too tempting. For me it’s just a hobby. With the C-Beam machine, I have the rigidity to make the plates, which is half the battle. Speed wise I usually cut at about 50-80ipm, so I don’t need a hemi powered CNC. I don’t want the hassle of water cooling. I bought a decent air cooled spindle years ago and it is still in the box. The router gets the job done just fine.
I’m finding that I should have gone with 750 x 1000 mm instead of 600 x 1000. I have enough parts around to do that and will go with square linear rails on that one.
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You are absolutely correct.
The openbuilds was fine for just about everything.
Until I started doing multi part epoxy inlays. I was getting thin lines because I couldn’t get exactly repeatable position.
And then I started carving 32 x 16 inch detail carving that would have taken over 40 hours on an openbuilds. My AltMill still takes 13 hours on “The Last Supper” at it’s much higher IPM.
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