This is hobby class gear. It’ll be a great learning experience while (like virtually anything in the CNC arena) testing your frustration tolerance and adult language skills. Think if it as a way to see if you have enough interest to go further without a second mortgage or raiding the kids college fund. There’s a reason that a Maslow is 1/10 or less (like way less…) the cost of a basic commercial machine. That’s great for home gamers, but for a business not so good. Heck, it’s a fraction of a good cabinet saw.
That 40+ipm is more like half, plus divide it by 3 or 4 (or more) passes on a 3/4 sheet. Remember the precision isn’t as good as the expensive stuff, is it good enough or can you sand to fit?
When 3D printers were new the forums were full of people who were going to buy one, quit their day jobs, and make a living. A tiny percent succeeded after lots of hard work and living on cans of beans, most didn’t come close.
Not to be Moosie Downer, but… A Maslow will let you learn some basics (production shop stuff uses different software) and get your feet covered in sawdust (water and router’s don’t mix) while exploring the idea of a new or expanding small business while you have alternate means of support. For the actual business your time is far too valuable for one to be effective.
Now for some practical stuff. If you decide the moose is drinking swamp water you’ll need several Maslows since you can’t afford to be out of business if one breaks. You’ll still likely need that cabinet saw (maybe a $3K SawStop, cheaper than one ER visit), and a bunch of other tools including good dust collection. Shop space, utilities, insurance (including for you), sick/injury down time, etc. Done a business plan yet? Good way to get it all down on paper even if you’re not pitching it to the bank or investors (that includes yourself…). Got enough resources to live on for 6 to 12 months (or more) while getting started? Ever worked in the business before (or ran any business for that matter)? You’ll spend as much time on non-woodworking business matters as actually making stuff (although all that time the Maslow is running will help here). Family, if any, supportive? Explored the potential market? Ready to deal with the less than 10% chance of success, and have both an exit plan and plan B? Ready to work 16 hour days and forget what time off is? Considered working for somebody else to learn the business if you haven’t?
My youngest daughter is an entrepreneur. Works constantly, travels all over the world, won lots of awards, raised lots of money for the company. Lives on peanuts, calls Mom and Dad (mostly Mom…) for money to live on. Has become an expert on bedbug control from cheap apartments (really. Her local exterminator supply offered her a job). Loves it most of the time.
To shift gears, what are you planning to make?
As you saw with the flood of great advice you got the project is driven by the community. I mostly just do the boring things like make sure the taxes get paid and the stuff gets through customs. I couldn’t possibly keep up with the pace of innovation and creative problem solving that this community does.