Query - Zen Toolworks looky likey

[Plod]

It doesn't quite 'chime' right does it - love the idea of a cnc machine for a little over £100:00 but the postage takes it nearer £300:00 which is too much to gamble.

Methinks this is a 'looks too good to be .........' - I was just curious if anyone had experience of this seller or machine.

regards Kev

[booski]

Hello

Just thought I would share. I have one of these machines bought from aliexpress.

Made from 10 mm pvc. Mine arrived with a LOT of missing parts including missing bearings and lead screw ect. Wasnt amused.

Seller refunded about 75% including shipping costs so Id trust that they wouldnt make that mistake again.

The stepper motors are second hand and poor quality, clearly been used to near destruction. One of mine even had a bent shaft meaning a complete strip of the motor. Luckily enough I have a lathe and dial indicator and was able to straighten it out. Would suggest investing in new bearings too, they simply slide off.

The spindle on mine was an old american servo dc motor. Means you can only use a 110v power supply with them. Mine had clearly been crashed. How you ask? Because the end with the mounting holes, the drive end, was bent and holding the cooling fan and the non drive end holding the er11 chuck.

Surely enough, it was useless and binned.

The missing parts of the machine I replaced with HDPE machined parts milled on my other machine and the leadscrew I machined a piece of stainless thread bar on my lathe and replaced also.

The machine is currently 85% complete id say, just need to sure up the ill fitting rails as theyre just too short and make a spindle and adapter.

Ive got plans at the minute to build a spindle using an er11 shank and brushless motor but its a case of motivation really.

All in all, if you can get a good one then itd be a great machine so long as your willing to put a little worl into it.

If you get a lemon like me then demand its sorted or a refund.

[Plod]

Thank you for that definitive reply regarding this type of sale - absolutely the wrong way for me to get into cnc as I have not got any machine shop equipment at all for sorting out 'lemons' - I do like the look of the Zen type machine - but not like this - much appreciate you taking the time to write up the problems you've encountered - hope you get sorted out soon - regards Kev