Thread: Chinese Machines now on Ebay

OK right.

So where in at today is

1) forget the 4th axis for now
2) budget in laser engraver instead
3) this rules out Romaxx due to total cost
4) look at Chinese 6040 machine stock as supplied and worry about updates to it down the track if I'm unsatisfied with performance.

So, I have 2 questions left from this

A) Do you think I'd be satisfied with the stock machine for a while?
B) I'm still concerned about the 0.8kw/9000rpm spindle supplied. Do you think I could but one if those 1.5kw spindles for about $200 and just plug n play for the stock one?

Thanks.

Originally Posted by BoomerangInfo

So, I have 2 questions left
A) Do you think I'd be satisfied with the stock machine for a while?
B) I'm still concerned about the 0.8kw/9000rpm spindle supplied. Do you think I could but one if those 1.5kw spindles for about $200 and just plug n play for the stock one?

A) Probably, but it really depends on what your expectations are at this stage.

B) You can't just swap a 1.5kw motor onto a VFD that does not have that amount of current handling capacity. It will burn out the VFD. How about emailing the suppliers and asking them if they could do a deal without the VFD and the spindle. You could then put whatever spindle you wanted on the machine and then, with the lower system cost, you may be able to get everything for about the same amount.

Well past experience has shown me it's hard getting a straight answer to a simple one sentence question. If you started trying to negotiate specific builds/breakdowns, I reckon it'd be a hair pulling experience, and I don't have that much left to pull

Smething else I've come across trying to confirm specs on several models. Most seem to include Mach3, but I didn't realize there is a limited version. I the limited version the one usually included in these builds? I assume doing anyr eal work with these limited versions is impractical, so I should factor in the cost of a full Mach3 license in my software expenses?

I got a PM about another unit on eBay that wasn't coming up in the searches I had been doing. It looks pretty good, has a much large Z-axis than these others for about the same price, and has a 4th rotary axis as an optional accessory. Pending some questions to the seller, this is my new favorite at this point.

Russell.

Originally Posted by BoomerangInfo

..
4) look at Chinese 6040 machine stock as supplied and worry about updates to it down the track if I'm unsatisfied with performance.

So, I have 2 questions left from this

A) Do you think I'd be satisfied with the stock machine for a while?
B) I'm still concerned about the 0.8kw/9000rpm spindle supplied. Do you think I could but one if those 1.5kw spindles for about $200 and just plug n play for the stock one?

Thanks.

I purchased one of these machines approx 3 months ago but I havent used it much, mine came with water pump, 1.5kw VFD and a 0.8kw spindle. The spindle does do 24k rpm even thought the e bayr i bought it from had 9k in specs. I was lucky and bought at the right time and paid $1700 delivered so was very happy with that.

So far, even though i havent used it much, damn work, it is working fine. I'm very happy with the performance. You need to do a little squaring up as good ole EMS is rather rough with the packaging but all arrived ok and working. One issue was the Y Ballscrews shaft end was bent/squished in transit. Still ran smooth but i had to lathe the end to get it true again and to fit the coupler.

So far i have added limit switches, a hommans VFD control and made a dust shoe for it.

Cheers,

So what do people think of this unit?

WALTER 6545 CNC Router Engraver Drill Mill Machine A2 | eBay

I was liking it more & more until I saw their handling time is 30 business days! What in the world would need 30 business days to post? Then there's delivery time on that.

I asked them for a quote on shipping including the remote and rotary attachments, and the reply is that the machine is US$1450 and postage by UPS is US$720!?!?

Russell.

Originally Posted by BoomerangInfo

So what do people think of this unit?

WALTER 6545 CNC Router Engraver Drill Mill Machine A2 | eBay

I was liking it more & more until I saw their handling time is 30 business days! What in the world would need 30 business days to post? Then there's delivery time on that.

I asked them for a quote on shipping including the remote and rotary attachments, and the reply is that the machine is US$1450 and postage by UPS is US$720!?!?

Russell.

Why 30 days to post? They probably have to make it! $720.00 sounds about right for postage to me. Customs clearance and GST should come out around $300, so at around $2500 landed sounds about right.

Well for what its worth I got my mates machine up and running today and I have to say if I hadn't spent so much time and money on my current build I would just go that way, steppers seem fine now the Gecko's are running the show, spindle is nice and quiet and the machine seems rigid enough.

Although I only did a text VCarve it was pretty hard timber and reasonably deep cuts, and nothing seemed to be a problem, I have to adjust some acceleration settings and tweak a few things but all in all a good result.

Limit switches and a better estop would be all it really needs to finish it off nicely, and is on the to do list.

Russell.

Right well,

I've pretty much decided the 6545 is the way to go, pending funds. The delivery quote I've been given on the 6545 is $700 by DHL, $625 by UPS and $1200 by EMS!!

Any suggestions on which option I should pick? I've read bad stories about extra charges by international couriers.

Russell.

Is that postage including the rotary axis as well ? If you end up getting that you better check they don't add too much on the top, if you get the rotary axis that is.

I had another mate that got a Chinese machine and it worked pretty well from the start, though we had to do some experimentation to get the right pinout's, apart from that the breakout board was difficult to connect into but it all worked as it should and we didn't need to replace any motor drives at all.

Cheers.

Russell.

Originally Posted by epineh

Is that postage including the rotary axis as well ? If you end up getting that you better check they don't add too much on the top, if you get the rotary axis that is.

Yeah I think so, plus the USB remote. Communcation is a little difficult though, so will only know for sure when I get a final invoice. But I have to hold off a week or 2 still, to confirm my finances. Those prices are USD as well, so I hope the Aussie $ stays high like it is today, and doesnt drop again like it did 2 days ago.

Yeah good timing on the dollar, when I got all my stuff our dollar was only about 65 cents against the US dollar...bummer !

Originally Posted by BoomerangInfo

Right well,

I've pretty much decided the 6545 is the way to go, pending funds. The delivery quote I've been given on the 6545 is $700 by DHL, $625 by UPS and $1200 by EMS!!

Any suggestions on which option I should pick? I've read bad stories about extra charges by international couriers.

Russell.

Hi Russell,

They all will charge their fees. A lot of the fees are imposed on them by the Airports, etc.

I've had dealings with most couriers, and I'd say they are all the same. Maybe you could ring them and ask what there fees are.

Cheers,

Peter.

Thanks Peter.
I tried to donsome research over the weekend. Lots of complaints about UPS damaging goods, but then others who say they've never had a problem. DHL hard to get opinions as most comments are US and apparently they don't go there anymore. Most comments seem OK but some say customer service lacks.

As you say, its probably pot luck on the day as to what the best experience would be. UPS being $75 cheaper is a big temptation, but whether it's worth it if they do mistreat the goods is a concern.

The common thread on all of them seemed to be that if there is a problem, none of them want to know you :X

Russell.

A lot of stuff I get from the USA is DHL and its always OK, as is Fedex. UPS I have very little experience with. When I can I choose Fedex (Sounds like an ad )

I'm surprised that EMS is so expensive as that is the most popular Asian Courier.

When I got my Romaxx HS-1, the shipping was about $700.00 from the USA if I recall.

Cheers,

Peter.