Thread: Suggest me a little CNC router?

Originally Posted by J.F. Custom®

Yes, over the $1000 and you will get the GST charged. Be aware, GST is charged on the total value of the goods + the shipping. So if your machine was say, $900 - you are not safe from GST unless your shipping was less than $100. Clear?

Yep - I'm pretty familiar with the import rules and the application of GST and duties.

That is not to mention the legalities or il-legalities of such arrangements as well... Likewise the "gift" status...

I actually have no problem with paying the correct GST - having a proper, functional tax system is what makes our economy strong and stops us turning into a basket case like Greece (soon to be followed by Italy & Spain).

As for the application of tariffs, it's been a while since I dealt with such things, but had assumed they'd be close to zero by now, but perhaps not

All that said, when I do order off whoever, my main concern will be that it's packed well - to me, a beaten-up table, bent shaft or broken control unit is a much bigger issue than whether or not I pay import fees.

Originally Posted by Big Shed

Am I missing something here, or is this purely a ploy by the seller to minimise Ebay fees?

I trawled through the range of 6040 machines offered by one seller and noted the feature pic was often different, despite the blurb and pics below being identical. I also noted that the cost and postage values varied wildly, but always added up to the same total of around $2k.

I suspect it's and attempt to appear to be offering something "different" in a market awash with essentially identical machines, and using the lower cost to appeal to the less rational consumers who respond to the "sticker price" rather than considering the total cost including freight.

Originally Posted by RustyArc

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Willson
Well for a start. it means that if you are using a 6mm end mill to cut 0.5 mm of aluminium then you can go at 2000mm a second instead of 600. Or, cut 1mm at 1000 etc.
Cheers - that explains a bit of it, but on these little machines, is there a limit to the material removal rate based on the power of the steppers and/or frame strength and stiffness rather than the power of the spindle?

That is, based on this size of machine, am I going to be able to get a real benefit from going with a 1.5kW rather than a 0.8kW spindle? I do plan to mill a fair bit of alu sheet for control panels etc., so I'd pay the extra if it's going to result in faster work.
Read more: https://www.woodworkforums.com/f170/s...#ixzz1vyKzofJ3.

Ahem. I made a slight error in my speed rating there. 2metres a second is probably not obtainable.

But to answer the second part of your question. It will make a huge difference. Find some sites that explain about chip loading and they will explain it all far better than I could.

I wish that I had had the foresight to get the bigger spindle when I ordered mine. When this one gives up the ghost then it will be replaced with the largest I can afford.

Originally Posted by Bob Willson

But to answer the second part of your question. It will make a huge difference. Find some sites that explain about chip loading and they will explain it all far better than I could.

Cheers - looks like a bit more Googling ahead - I've got plenty of experience with stepper drivers and VFDs, but machining is my next learning curve

Bob,
There is quite a difference in weight between an air colled 800 watt and a water cooled 2.2kw spindle. You can't get an air cooled 2.2kw. A 2.2kw is around the largest you can run on single phase so it is not easy to just get the large spindle. For a start you would have to run a separate circuit for the computer and driver or get some fairly hefty wiring to the shed.
There's always a stick in the mud isn't there.

2.2 is almost twice the size of my current one.

The weight isn't a problem for me. I have twin 1200 oz drives on the X axis. It would move a house. Sometimes I forget to turn the spindle on but the X axis just drags the bit through the work anyway. Sometimes it gets messy.

I am also using a 15 amp circuit for the machine. So long as I switch the bits on incrementally it doesn't blow.

Edit: Usually

For weight I was thinking of the Z axis but you are correct it does effect all axes.
Tie a bit of lead on your exisiting spindle and see if it affects your rapids.
I can weigh the 2.2kw water cooled jobbie I have here if you need it.

It would only affect the upward travel Rod. The downward travel should be enhanced and so they cancel each other out.

the collet size also changes
with the 1.5kw water cooled it will allow up to 8mm bits with an E11 col-let (2mm-7.5mm in a china cheep 13 peace set of collets , but the 8mm can be found )

dont quote me on this but i think the 0.8kw only takes up too 6.5mm bits

the 2.2kw and 3kw would be worth it if it came with bigger steppers like nema34's , the standard nema17 size stepper motors on below $3000 machines wont have enough grunt to make large chips with a 2.2kw

and at 3000watts is 12.5amps @240volt ( running amps ) not"startup inrush" so an "oven" sized circuit beaker (20amps) would be needed

the CNC at my work uses "Gas struts " like on tail gate's on Vans and Station wagons , to take most of the weight of there 3 phase 8HP spindle ,

Hi RustyArc,

If you want to have a look at a 6040 CNC in the flesh, give me a yell. I picked one up not long ago and it is running well on the supplied electronics.

Originally Posted by John H

Hi RustyArc,

If you want to have a look at a 6040 CNC in the flesh, give me a yell. I picked one up not long ago and it is running well on the supplied electronics.

That'd be awesome - I'll send a PM shortly

A quick thanks to John - I dropped past his place yesterday and scoped out his 6040 setup (and some of his other toys) and learned a hell of a lot. The fundamental conclusion is that firstly, these machines are what they are, and are quite capable out of the box without major replacements of stepper drivers etc. but, as with all machines designed for a level of precision, benefit from a bit of adjustment and tweaking to get things level and and squared up.

So only 2 questions remain - who to buy one off for the best chance of it arriving in reasonable shape, and whether to get a 4th axis unit at this stage.

The 4th axis units look kind of handy, but I'm struggling a bit to work out what I'd use one for - they certainly aren't a lathe, but I wondered whether it could be used for crude turning jobs. I also noticed on a German site one being used to engrave a wine bottle, and seeing as I do work in the wine business, am attracted to the idea of short-run engraved bottles, however the practicalities might prove unrealistic...

Originally Posted by RustyArc

. I also noticed on a German site one being used to engrave a wine bottle, (xxxx) , am attracted to the idea of short-run engraved bottles, however the practicalities might prove unrealistic...

lol yer run fine cut around the top of the bottle ,. and just tap on bench to open , wine in a large glass ,

cutting stencils for sand blasting will work