CNC costs for small use

[Brent B. (brent_b)]

know I can search the forum for some of this but I am trying to get a 
real idea from you users. I have not mastered free hand routing yet and 
think of CNC as “kinda” cheating (I know fighting words here) but one 
thing I can’t do free hand is a 3d object.

I would like your opinions on the cost and what I need. I see ads for 
the table, software, and then some show using a rotor motor. Others call 
it a spindle, I think. Then any number of accessories. CNC seems like it 
could be a “money pit.”

All I would like to do is create small 3d objects to then glue on boxes 
or plaques. I could buy figurines at places like Hobby Lobby but it 
would be nice to do my own designs.

Shark seems to be one of the cheaper brands for beginners to start out. 
The bottom end tables cost ~$2k but software is all over the place in 
cost.

Thanks for your help and hopefully I have not really offended any of 
you. I want to master freehand routing but to put a raised bird, 
butterfly or name on a box would be really cool.

After re-reading this, to explain what I think I can do with a CNC, is 
place my work piece on top of a sacrificial board on the table. I would 
program the CNC to cut out my figurines. I would then glue the figurines 
to whatever. I do not want to carve the figurine directly into the box 
or plaque.

Thanks again