Thread: Whats a good cnc machine to buy????

Originally Posted by Jarrahrules

Hi Guys
I would like to buy a cnc machine plug and play. Carbatec have just bought one out but i was also looking at ebay at the 13K ones.

I would like to do signs and 3D carving with it.

Regards
Jamie

Having bought a Chinese machine myself I didn't get the greatest end result, currently stripped and painted and will be reassembled and rewired (You get what you pay),

Then again a lot of people have bought Chinese machines and they have received them in good working order.

What sort of money do you have to play with? CAMaster in the states have some pretty decent prices for their machines, wish I owned the Cobra X3

Originally Posted by Ch4iS

Having bought a Chinese machine myself I didn't get the greatest end result, currently stripped and painted and will be reassembled and rewired (You get what you pay),

Then again a lot of people have bought Chinese machines and they have received them in good working order.

What sort of money do you have to play with? CAMaster in the states have some pretty decent prices for their machines, wish I owned the Cobra X3

Not sure how much that is why I need the opinions of you pro's. I don't like cheap stuff that will break though. I just bought a good Felder panel saw. Paid alot but it will be with me for ever.

What do you think of the cnc that carbatec sells.

Regards
Jamie

Originally Posted by Jarrahrules

Not sure how much that is why I need the opinions of you pro's. I don't like cheap stuff that will break though. I just bought a good Felder panel saw. Paid alot but it will be with me for ever.

What do you think of the cnc that carbatec sells.

Regards
Jamie

This thread might be of interest.

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f170/c...l-ebay-109093/

I am no pro in the matter, my main issue with my chinese machine was wiring, but my machine was mid sized and complex machine. If you are just looking for something small that thread has a few alternatives to carbatec for a fraction of the price

Hi Jamie,
If you are looking for Felder quality in a CNC machine then the Carbatec machine does not meet you criteria. It is made from HDPE (plastic) and the linear components and leadscrews are not the quality that will deliver what you are after.
I'm not knocking the machine in any way as it is a great package for entry level CNC and weekend use. I think it is great that Carbatec have identified that there is a CNC market and in time I hope to see a bigger range of machines on their floor.

You have placed yourself between a rock and hard place and I don't think there is a non Chinese CNC made machine that will be in a reasonable price range for the home workshop - I am asuming it is a home workshop as you are not talking production. Western made CNC machines run in to many tens of thousands of dollars. Production machines for panel work cost in the vicinity of $50 to $100k depending on size and quality.

Don't rule out the Chinese machine as they can be found or spec'ed up to be top quality units. I put together an Exitech machine that had THK (Japanese brand) linear rails and German ballscrews. It was a high quality machine and cost the fellow around $15k imported.

At this stage you need to do your homework, search the web and talk to others that already have machines you can look at. Become familiar with the terms and different components they use. It's all a bit mumbo jumbo initially but you soon get the hang of it.

Rocket from South Oz who is on this forum has been running a large Chinese machine (also an Exitech) for some time at full production so get in touch with him for some feedback. Last I saw he was importing more machines but different brands.

Hope that explains it a little and doesn't deter you from researching this more.

Originally Posted by rodm

Rocket from South Oz who is on this forum has been running a large Chinese machine (also an Exitech) for some time at full production so get in touch with him for some feedback. Last I saw he was importing more machines but different brands.

He changed over to Quick CNC. Last I messaged him he didnt have any issues with them but he wasnt happy with excitech's after sales service.

---------------

It might sound like im bagging the chinese machines only cause im a bit at the poor wiring I received (excitech machine), the machines are all cast and Milled flat so there isnt much that can go wrong with the mechanical side of things. If its just something small like the carbitec you are after that thread I mentioned has some small routers most aren't plug and play.

Hi Chris,
I think you have been objective and your problems are relative to this thread.
If I paid for a turn key machine I would expect it to be working and not have to strip it down or repair the electics.
To provide another perspective on the Chinese suppliers I know a fellow that got a 50 watt laser machine a couple of weeks ago and support was great. Multiple emails were answered within 20 minutes and he had the machine running on the day of delivery. To take this completely OT the unit shipped through Hong Kong and the factory was on the phone to them to make sure it was not X rayed as apparently it can damage the laser tube. Worth noting by any prospective laser buyers.

Originally Posted by rodm

Hi Jamie,
If you are looking for Felder quality in a CNC machine then the Carbatec machine does not meet you criteria. It is made from HDPE (plastic) and the linear components and leadscrews are not the quality that will deliver what you are after.
I'm not knocking the machine in any way as it is a great package for entry level CNC and weekend use. I think it is great that Carbatec have identified that there is a CNC market and in time I hope to see a bigger range of machines on their floor.

You have placed yourself between a rock and hard place and I don't think there is a non Chinese CNC made machine that will be in a reasonable price range for the home workshop - I am asuming it is a home workshop as you are not talking production. Western made CNC machines run in to many tens of thousands of dollars. Production machines for panel work cost in the vicinity of $50 to $100k depending on size and quality.



Don't rule out the Chinese machine as they can be found or spec'ed up to be top quality units. I put together an Exitech machine that had THK (Japanese brand) linear rails and German ballscrews. It was a high quality machine and cost the fellow around $15k imported.

At this stage you need to do your homework, search the web and talk to others that already have machines you can look at. Become familiar with the terms and different components they use. It's all a bit mumbo jumbo initially but you soon get the hang of it.

Rocket from South Oz who is on this forum has been running a large Chinese machine (also an Exitech) for some time at full production so get in touch with him for some feedback. Last I saw he was importing more machines but different brands.

Hope that explains it a little and doesn't deter you from researching this more.

Hi Thanks for the heads up.

what do you think of this machine. ?OMNISIGN PLUS HI-QUALITY CNC MACHINE ROUTER/ENGRAVER 3 - eBay Equipment, Machinery, Metalworking, Metalworking, Woodworking, Business, Industrial. (end time 05-Dec-09 23:40:48 AEDST)
It is on ebay and they have different size units. this is about the size i wuld go for i think.

Regards
Jamie

By the photo it looks OK - similar to Exitech. I don't know anything about this particular machine so it is hard to tell just by a photo if it is worth the money.
I would check out the company and have a look at the machine before I committed to it though.

Originally Posted by rodm

By the photo it looks OK - similar to Exitech. I don't know anything about this particular machine so it is hard to tell just by a photo if it is worth the money.
I would check out the company and have a look at the machine before I committed to it though.

These are the specs. What do you think isit okay??


Features:
DSP (Digital Signal Processing) Controlling System. High precision and high speed machine.Machine is capable to work without computer.Machine is capable to resume work since power goes off.Plug in the machine to an USB port.Machine is capable to save up to 30 processing files simultaneously.Adopts linear and adjustable bearing device in X, Y, Z direction, assuring no gap between slide parts of bearing and linear.Whole cast iron body, milling surface, more stable when working for a long time.Rolling ball screws in X, Y, Z direction from Germany to ensure less vibration.1,500W spindle motor (upgradable to 2,200W), very powerful, very quiet.Adjustable speed, curve line and straight line speed are controlled independently.High data transmission ratio.
Specifications: XYZ Axis Resolution:0.01 mm (or 0.0003 in)XYZ Axis Working Size:800 x 700 x 90 mm (or 31.4 x 27.5 x 3.5 in)
Note: Z Axis is upgradable at a little extra costAppearance Size:1,100 x 1,250 x 1,300 mm (or 43.3 x 49.2 x 51.1 in) Maximum Thickness of Material:90 mm (or 3.5 in)Spindle Rotation Speed:0 - 24,000 rpmMaximum Engraving Speed:12,000 mm/min (or 472.4 in/min)Spindle Motor Power:1,500 W (upgradable to 2,200 W)Blade Holders:3.175mm, 4mm (optional), 6mm, 8mm (optional), 12.7mm (optional), or
0.125in, 0.157in (optional), 0.236in, 0.314mm (optional), 0.5in (optional)Dictate FormatPGL, G-codeCompatible Software:Type3, Mastecam, Artcam, Artgrave, UG, ProE, Enroute, etc.Power Requirement:220/240V or 110/120V (your choice)Net Weight:260 kg (or 573.2 lb)

It does look OK but check it out. Local support is better than Chinese support so another plus. Maybe run it past Rocket as he has had more experience with Chinese machines than any of us.
As I said I haven't seen one up close so I would hate to help you make a bad decision based on a photo and some words.

Originally Posted by Jarrahrules

Hi Guys
I would like to buy a cnc machine plug and play. Carbatec have just bought one out but i was also looking at ebay at the 13K ones.

I would like to do signs and 3D carving with it.

Regards
Jamie

Hi Jamie,
How are you,we are a maufacturer of CNC router,CNC laser engraving machine from China,I think our machine can meet your requirement,I attach our CNC router for sign making,pls check the attachment,if you are interested,pls contact me,my e-mail address is [email protected] and I'm sure the price and the quality is better than that you have seen in the e-bay,and we have distributor in Australia

Hi Jamie

The important thing with Chinese equipment is to do your homework.
Some stuff out of China is excellent quality, but much of it is not.
Go to alibaba.com and enter cnc router.
Send enquiries about any you find interesting.
They will give you their direct website which will usually have better information.
A very good idea is to generate a new Email address because they will bug you for months.

I bought my laser from China (World Cut.com.au) and the quality is second to none.
They sent an engineer here from China to install it.
The owner of the company has even visited our factory.
Some Chinese companies are better than others.

A good rule of thumb is to check the weight of the machine.
Light weight usually means lower quality.

It's all a big adventure. Have fun.

Greg

Hi Greg,
I can not agree with you more!There are really exsiting good quality and first class service manufacturer,and I do not think the alibaba is a good place for buyer,most the companies there only competitive in price not pay much attation in quality!we have already have exclusive agent in your good country,or maybe we can have a cooperation!

Originally Posted by signmaker

Hi Jamie

The important thing with Chinese equipment is to do your homework.
Some stuff out of China is excellent quality, but much of it is not.
Go to alibaba.com and enter cnc router.
Send enquiries about any you find interesting.
They will give you their direct website which will usually have better information.
A very good idea is to generate a new Email address because they will bug you for months.

I bought my laser from China (World Cut.com.au) and the quality is second to none.
They sent an engineer here from China to install it.
The owner of the company has even visited our factory.
Some Chinese companies are better than others.

A good rule of thumb is to check the weight of the machine.
Light weight usually means lower quality.

It's all a big adventure. Have fun.

Greg

When you say its all a big adventure, It may be but i rather not spend 10k on an adventure that you may not see the end result or it falls apart.