I did.

I started way back in 2004. Back before there was an abundance of cheap and reasonably reliable stepper drivers (I had to solder together all the drivers for my first two machines) and any sort of linear bearings were absurdly expensive.

My first machine was a scaled-up Phoenix built from these plans: http://www.crankorgan.com/phoenix.htm

These days there are much better plans and designs available for free.

That machine got heavily damaged when it shifted in the trailer during a move since it was made out of MDF. I rebuilt it (still MDF) with a dual Z-axis so it could be converted into a hot-wire foam cutter. I named this one the Phoenix Redux (a somewhat redundant name).

Router mode: http://www.tensaiteki.com/images/stories/banshee/machine_banshee.JPG Hot-wire mode: http://www.tensaiteki.com/images/stories/IG-89/IG89_HBLBCutter_large.JPG

I mainly used this machine to mill foam patterns for lost-foam aluminum casting.

Since (at the time) I couldn't afford a milling machine to cut metal, I used the Redux to mill foam patterns to build a Gingery Milling machine (don't have pics of mine, Google it).

Then I used the Redux and the Gingery Mill to make patterns, cast, and machine parts for my current machine, the IG-89. During the later stages of this build, I acquired an old CNC Bridgeport Series 1 that I retrofitted to LinuxCNC and used to machine some parts.

frame: http://www.tensaiteki.com/images/stories/IG-89/IG89_overview_large.jpg mostly done: http://www.tensaiteki.com/images/stories/IG-89/IG89_overview2_large.JPG More info: http://www.alloyavenue.com/vb/showthread.php?4104-Project-IG-89-CNC-Router-lots-of-lost-foam-(pic-heavy)

Since starting with that first, crappy MDF machine in 2004, I have: Scratch built: * Phoenix - 18" x 36" router, MDF, roller-skate bearings, gas pipe (ran TurboCNC) * Phoenix Redux - 18" x 36" dual Z-axis, convertible to hot-wire foam cutter (ran TurboCNC then EMC2) * IG-89 - 24" x 24" x 8" router, welded steel and lost-foam cast aluminum (ran EMC2, now runs LinuxCNC) * Prusa Mendel - 3D printer (ran LinuxCNC) * 5' x 12' CNC Plasma Table - used comercially at a fabrication shop for 4+ years, now used at a hackerspace to educational purposes (initially ran Mach3 (bad idea), now runs LinuxCNC) Retrofitted: * Bridgeport Series 1 CNC - removed c.1979 controller and replaced with LinuxCNC * CNC Supra - Chinese Bridgeport knock-off with a really crappy control replaced with LinuxCNC * Torchmate 5' x 10' CNC Plasma table - junked crappy Torchmate control and replaced with LinuxCNC * Shapeoko 2 - converted to LinuxCNC for a friend * EMCO Educational Mill - Surplus from school district, now LinuxCNC * AES TechCenter 21 - Basically a Sherline put in an enclosure and sold to schools, now LinuxCNC * EMCO Educational CNC Lathe - LinuxCNC * 4' x 8' Chinese CNC Router - LinuxCNC Retrofits Currently in progress: * Burgmaster Powerhawk VTC-150 VMC - formerly FANUC control, 20 position tool-changer, now LinuxCNC * Nisshinbo 88 Ton 8' CNC Press Brake - servo-hydraulics are strange beasts, LinuxCNC Retrofits to be started soon: * Okuma 18" swing CNC Turret Lathe - will be LinuxCNC * Unknown Brand 4' x 4' CNC Abrasive Waterjet - will be LinuxCNC

I boot-strapped my way from literally living alone in a trailer (fresh out of high school) with little more that a $50 Harbor-Freight drill press and a crappy CNC machine made from MDF to now making a living getting paid to retrofit VMCs and other industrial machines while going to school for a Mechanical Engineering Degree.

My advise: * NEVER PAY FOR PLANS - these days there are many designs for a first machine that are free. After you build the first one, you should be able to design your second by yourself * DON'T BUY MECHANICAL KITS - like the one you linked, they are always over-priced. However, motor-driver-power-supply kits can be very good deals ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/200806516142 would make a very decent starter machine) * USE LINUXCNC - do not use Mach (trust me, it's shit), avoid anything Arduino based (it's alright for just a 3D printer, but for milling, it sucks) * LEARN LOST-FOAM CASTING - it's cheap, even the crappiest of CNC machines can cut good foam patterns, and always use a drywall shell * AVOID NEMA 17 MOTORS - they suck, they are barely adequate for 3D printing * DON'T CNC CUT MDF - it doesn't matter how good you think your dust-collection system is, MDF will clog it and you will get dust everywhere, forever