Sterob 4th April 2014, 11:36 PM I'm thinking of buying a desktop CNC Router, but I'd like one capable of machining, at least aluminium and maybe brass.
Does anybody own one and can recommend it or warn me off it?
Most seem to use small motors ( 200W ) and popular mod is to fit a trimmer to it ( ~1200W ). I'd like to avoid having to do that....
The ones I know about are:
Shapeoko 2
Fireball V90
Openbuilds
XYZ-CNC
6040 on Ebay.
A kit from Eugnret on Ebay.
Steve
pippin88 5th April 2014, 04:52 PM None of the lower end machine kits will machine metals adequately really.
A decent cnc router can machine soft metals, but generally routers are comparatively lightweight, so they can move fast. They also use high rpm spindles. High feedrate and rpm are needed for wood, but are problematic for metal unless you have a machine as rigid as a large VMC packing a 10kw spindle.
Sterob 5th April 2014, 11:24 PM None of the lower end machine kits will machine metals adequately really.
A decent cnc router can machine soft metals, but generally routers are comparatively lightweight, so they can move fast. They also use high rpm spindles. High feedrate and rpm are needed for wood, but are problematic for metal unless you have a machine as rigid as a large VMC packing a 10kw spindle.
Thanks pippin,
This is what I'm finding. I don't want to spend thousands yet, until I know what I want to do. I just want to put my toe in the water and , at least, be able to a machine a few bits of thin aluminium, occasionally.
Steve
rodm 6th April 2014, 12:23 AM Steve,
You want a 1.5kw spindle to handle ally. Much quieter than a screaming die grinder or router and they have ER11 collets so you can use 1mm to 7mm cutters. Advisable that you use a lubricant, I use a spray can of WD40, when cutting as it stops remelt and gives a much better surface finish.
Rigidity and machine mass are the key to cutting metals and as Pippin points out a milling machine is the ideal choice for that. Not to discourage you a CNC router will cut ally if you use a sensible depth of cut. On my router I cut at 0.75mm per pass but feed rate is between 1200mm/mm to 1800mm/min depending on the type of ally. The faster feed rate is necessary because of the higher spindle speed. I don't blink at cutting 20mm thick ally and have cut up to 40mm thick.
Stay away from any machine that has MDF or acrylic used in the construction - they just aren't rigid enough. I looked at your suggestions and thought just about all of them would not be suitable.
The Chinese 6040 machines are OK for your needs but seem to be weak on wiring and electronics. Most that have brought them have replaced the wiring and electronics within a short period so you will require up to $600 extra and some electronics knowledge down the track. On the CNC forum you will get all the help you need to get you over that hurdle.
Sterob 6th April 2014, 01:04 AM Steve,
You want a 1.5kw spindle to handle ally. Much quieter than a screaming die grinder or router and they have ER11 collets so you can use 1mm to 7mm cutters. Advisable that you use a lubricant, I use a spray can of WD40, when cutting as it stops remelt and gives a much better surface finish.
Hi Rod,
Thanks for the info.
Can you give me an example of a spindle that can use those collets? I'm guessing you are not referring to a trimmer.....( that is what I was leaning towards, or maybe a DC motor with speed control )
Something like this?:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/spindle-inverter-1!5kw-vfd-spindle#prettyPhoto
Rigidity and machine mass are the key to cutting metals and as Pippin points out a milling machine is the ideal choice for that. Not to discourage you a CNC router will cut ally if you use a sensible depth of cut. On my router I cut at 0.75mm per pass but feed rate is between 1200mm/mm to 1800mm/min depending on the type of ally. The faster feed rate is necessary because of the higher spindle speed. I don't blink at cutting 20mm thick ally and have cut up to 40mm thick.
I've got a HM-45 but don't really want the hassle of fitting CNC to that. The stuff I'm looking at doing, for now, is thin hobby aluminium sheet ( 1.5 mm ) No way I'd want to do anything near 20 mm. Maybe 6 mm on the outside once or twice..
Stay away from any machine that has MDF or acrylic used in the construction - they just aren't rigid enough. I looked at your suggestions and thought just about all of them would not be suitable.
Yes, I'd already decided against a router with MDF frames...lol They were the only examples I've found so far.
The Chinese 6040 machines are OK for your needs but seem to be weak on wiring and electronics. Most that have brought them have replaced the wiring and electronics within a short period so you will require up to $600 extra and some electronics knowledge down the track. On the CNC forum you will get all the help you need to get you over that hurdle.
A mate in Kambalda has a 6040 but he hasn't set it up yet! ( too many projects and he is in a rental )I think the 3040 ( I think ) is big enough for me.
I've seen comments on the wiring. I could re-wire it and I have electronic experience, but I don't want to have do that on a new machine to get it to work properly!..lol
Thats false economy.
Can you think of any suitable options or I have to increase my budget significantly or am I stuck with the 3040 and having to re-wire it straight up ( I save the hassle later. )
Regards
Steve
rodm 6th April 2014, 01:45 AM Steve,
The link to the 1.5kw spindle is what I was referring to.
A 3040 is attractively priced but it is a toy. Like buying a Dremil and trying to do real work. The DC spindles are underpowered and really only suitable for circuit board work. The 6040 is a much better proposition and it comes with correct spindle. While it may seem false economy to retrofit new electronics and wiring it is still much cheaper than buying a machine from outside China with higher specs.
To give you an idea I just finished building a 6040 machine and have spent $6 to $7k in parts. The aluminum T slot table cost me $600 locally which is about 1/3 of the total cost of a imported 6040 which also has a T slot table - joys of living in a mining economy. I have attached a photo of this machine and you can see the 20mm plate on the gantry sides that has been cut on a larger CNC router of mine.
Sterob 6th April 2014, 11:22 AM Thanks Rod,
A very nice machine you have there. It looks like it would do anything that you ask of it...
I'll think about this some more...
Steve
Anorak Bob 6th April 2014, 11:25 AM The M stands for modest.:) Here's a link to a few photos of young Rod's handiwork. http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=149171&p=1454277#post1454277
BT
Sterob 6th April 2014, 04:01 PM Thanks Bob.
I'm out of my depth...lol
Rod is 2 or 3 magnitudes above what I am looking to do. :)
This is the front runner so far...
https://www.bilbycnc.com.au/DispProd.asp?CatID=10&SubCatID=90&ProdID=CNCrouter3040T
Maybe it will be ok to play with with, for a while, with just motor a re-wire first thing...
Sterob 10th April 2014, 10:47 PM After much discussion and help from people on this forum, I think I have decided on a X6-1500GT from Carver CNC.
It is the latest incarnation of the 6040 type machines.
Not pulled the trigger yet....
Steve
Sterob 17th May 2014, 11:25 AM I have bought a Router and am currently setting it up. ( Building a PC to drive it. )
I've got MACH3 installed and configured and made the axis's and spindle moves....
Collets have arrived and waiting for the bits to get here.
A couple of mates have expressed interest in getting stuff done, so I guess I'll get some use out of it...lol
313888
eskimo 19th May 2014, 09:34 AM A couple of mates have expressed interest in getting stuff done, so I guess I'll get some use out of it...lol
am I a mate too..lol:D
often thought about getting making one...but guess I will have to wait till I retire
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