Dual Z spindles here

Man that's awesome! Thanks for the link and paving that road for me.:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cMzAEfQX0s

This shows a dual z plasma on # 58 UNCSA School of Design and Production Build. . z #1 is for plasma, z #2 is for cutting, engraving or center holes.

http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showt...8&postcount=35

I don't use dual Z but I reckon all you need to do is just play around with the XY coordinate offset.

There are other options for tool height setting as well if you do not want to get into the money for a ATC. I set mine up using Mach Blue Probing by Big-Tex and a digital probe with a plate installed installed instead of a probe. I have it mounted on one of the cross bearers and set to the exact surface as my spoil board. One button click after changing the tool and it sets my Z. I have never cut into my spoil board yet. All parts cut clean away except for the tabs which I plan for.

The router/spindle question is a preference. I started as a router but found the disadvantage is the fan cooling. Also I would recommend a production router if you go that route. I upgraded to a water cooled spindle because of the dust. The router moves mass amount of air to cool the motor. Unless you have a huge dust collector it will overcome the dust collection mostly by pushing the fine particulate through the bristles of the shoe. Since I upgraded to a spindle, I have not had to vacuum once around the machine and before it was after each cut. My collector static pressure is 11.5 in of water.

There are machines made here that have 2 gantries and some are huge machines.

There are machines here with indexers.

The electrical enclosure should never be made of wood. I am an electro-mechanical tech in my day job. That is a big no-no. They components do work off electricity and they will get warm or if they fail, and eventually will, they might catch fire. Look up the heat the is exposed from an arc flash once. This will change your mind. I saw many of these videos in my required arc flash training. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPJtknGmsys

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arc_flash

http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/pub3000/CH08/CH8_AppA.html

An arc flash can happen and make sure proper fusing is followed. This will help protect you.

Every machine is different and no one machine is right for everyone. Build it how you need it.

Thanks Pete. Planning on a metal box.

Running ungeared here. Accuracy and speed are fine for my needs (non production cutting of styrene foam). You can use the ungeared MechMate to cut your gearbox parts (I'll get around to it one day, maybe after I upgrade to a spindle and install dust collection).