CNC is this beauty any good chaps>>>>

[bry1975]

Certain looks quite good>>




http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CNC-3020-ROUTER-ENGRAVER-DRILLING-MILLING-MACHINE-/330606445911?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf9ae0557

[Swarfing]

Bry

You get what you pay for and you could do much better. You really need to specify what you would want to use it for? I have built a couple now and you would get very disappointed in a short time with this one possibly?

[bry1975]

Yep done some research and the motor power is probably a little low.

I Ideally want a CNC miller that can mill acetal and 6000-7000 series ally sheet and drill low carbon stainless steel.

Budget would be £600-£800 tops.

[rleete]

If you wan to drill PCB, that would do fine.  If you want a mill, not so much.

[Brass_Machine]

Yep done some research and the motor power is probably a little low.

I Ideally want a CNC miller that can mill acetal and 6000-7000 series ally sheet and drill low carbon stainless steel.

Budget would be £600-£800 tops.

Since the budget isn't that big, why don't you get an X2 and then convert it yourself? You would have it to use while you were converting it.

Eric

[bry1975]

I should read up on CNC conversion projects and ask you chaps when needed.

Bry

[Swarfing]

Depends on whether you want a mill or a router? A small desktop router off the shelf is doable on that budget. The steppers are fine for what that is but doubt the drivers and Bob are all that. What sort of ting do you want to make with it? That will decide on the purpose, with most of these imports it is harder to beat the price against making it (we've been flooded).

For me making it is always best because i get so much more out of doing it. Most compromises have always come down to cost.

Bry tell us more about what you want to make? Also head over to http://www.mycncuk.com/forums/forum.php

There are a few on here from there so between the wo sites you will get a wealth of experience to help you make your mind up

[bry1975]

Hi Swarfing,

I only really had the idea last night but if I can build or buy a CNC machine means I wouldn't need to contract so much work out.

I did lightly cover NC machining at college we would program a NC bridgeport was great fun even used the ticker tape roll.

Basically I want to be able to mill ally sheet and plastics like Acetal and possibly nylon, pvc
 sheet max thickness 16mm-20mm.

Two parts I'm having machined I'd like to CNC myself also the top part has a very thin lip which I'd like to be able to CNC.





With a router machine can it be used as a basic drill? as I'd like to precisely dill PCD holes for drilling templates.

So what is the main difference between router and miller?

TIA

Bry

[Swarfing]

Bry if you want to mass produce this sort of stuff then a router would be the way to go probably. With a mill it would be better for aluminium but stock size would be limited in a lot of cases. i can cut aluminium on my router but you do loose some precision (precision always costs). I would have a good look the forum a gave earlier, read about others exploits and get familiar with the different types of machines and study the pit falls. Let it sink in for a few weeks, for i wish i had both types but it is hard to justify with a bridgeport sat in the workshop.

[bry1975]

YUP most of my work will be acetal I can always have the occasional batch of ally work contracted out.

[Swarfing]

Sounds like your definitely half way there with your requirements then. let me know if you need any specific info, oh and yes you can do precise drilling if the machine is up to it.

[bry1975]

Swarf,

What wattage motor would you recommend then? 200w sounds quite feeble 800w sounds quite capable etc?

This beauty has 200watts spindle motor:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CNC-3020-ROUTER-ENGRAVER-DRILLING-MILLING-MACHINE-e7-/220724890048?_trksid=p4340.m1374&_trkparms=algo%3DPI.WATCH%26its%3DC%252BS%26itu%3DUCC%26otn%3D5%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D5120865022912894021

This beauty 800w spindle motor:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/260877959444?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

[Swarfing]

Well on mine i have a 2.2kw water cooled spindle. The smaller 0.8kw ones with a vfd would be more fitting, very quiet and come with an er11 collet chuck making it more useful.

[Swarfing]

a couple of people have bought the 6040 and said they were quite good. But i still would question the controls? for the money though save a lot of messing about as they have done all the hard work 

[bry1975]

Thanks Swarf,

I'm thinking I'll take my time and research the mini CNC machines thoroughly I don't want to rush into buying something half good or overly expensive.

[Swarfing]

Thing is to be honest about what you want to cut and material size. It is too easy to be impatient and go buy the first thing that comes along. Your better off stuffing the money away, do the research and by the time you have made your mind up you will have some more cash and buy the better options. Water cooled spindles allow for long running and so does decently matched drivers to motors, for what you need 3nm motors is way plenty.

[bry1975]

Thanks for the advice Swarf.

[Swarfing]

Just sent you an email