Hello, here is my new machine

[ravihotwok]

is this a good compromise?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CNC-0-8KW-...wAAOSw5cRZMk-X

[Desertboy]

is this a good compromise?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CNC-0-8KW-...wAAOSw5cRZMk-X

If I were you I would just play with it as is for a week or 2 and see how you get on it will give you a better idea of what you want from it and then make a decision. I've found many many times in my life a rushed purchase as a band aid to a problem just cost you 3 times! 1st time when you buy it, 2nd time a cheap hack to try and fix it, 3rd time you buy the thing you should have in the first place.

[ravihotwok]

very good advice and above all common sense lol. Just a bit worried ive bought a lemon here, paid 430 delivered for this machine, its only going to be doing light work as I am a composite specialist so it will be engraving plates I have fabricated my self. The material surface is usually pretty soft, but can be abrasive. My colegue managed to get the machine connected up and moving off the arrow keys last night but unable to get the mach 3 to do anything. Going to have another go later today

[A_Camera]

is this a good compromise?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CNC-0-8KW-...wAAOSw5cRZMk-X

You can't buy that one, as I said earlier.

1.) That one is a 65mm diameter and you have a 52mm diameter holder. Your Z is far too weak and small for that one, in my opinion it is not worth the effort of necessary modification.
2.) That spindle requires a VFD, and considering you asked above "what is a VFD?" I think the challenge of making it work will be too much for you. VFD = Variable Frequency Drive. Google for the details you want to know.

Just like I mentioned earlier, I think you should get a DC motor which is more powerful than the 200W which comes with your kit. I linked to a 500W, it is a motor with 52mm diameter and you can just simply replace your existing motor with this one. If the power supply is strong enough you can use the one you have, but if not then you may need to buy a stronger one.

The last option is to do nothing now, just learn how to use your machine, learn what you like and don't like in it and act accordingly. Maybe you are happy with it as it is, maybe you will want to buy or build a completely new one which is more rigid and more powerful. Don't underestimate plastic or fibre glass. Even those benefit from better machines or spindles.

[ravihotwok]

Cheers A,

wasnt disregarding your advice mate, just was a bit hasty in looking for a solution as I was just a bit worried about this machine being a lemon. I will save the motor you have recommended, Will probably end up getting that but first will learn how to get the pc communicating with the machine and actually working. Is there anywhere I can find out the definition of various cutting tools and their main purposes eg a tool for engraving, a tool for milling etc. Are you all starting to realise just how novice I actually am lol Shoot me now

[A_Camera]

Cheers A,

wasnt disregarding your advice mate, just was a bit hasty in looking for a solution as I was just a bit worried about this machine being a lemon. I will save the motor you have recommended, Will probably end up getting that but first will learn how to get the pc communicating with the machine and actually working. Is there anywhere I can find out the definition of various cutting tools and their main purposes eg a tool for engraving, a tool for milling etc. Are you all starting to realise just how novice I actually am lol Shoot me now

Yes, it is a good idea at this stage not to buy anything else, just get the delivered unit up and working. Once it is up and running you will see what else you may need or if this is enough for now or not. I don't think you need to worry about this being a lemon, I think that considering the number of units sold, these are generally good and reliable, good enough to learn a lot by using them, though of course, you can't expect them to be as good as a considerably more expensive units. You must be prepared for some blood, sweat and tears and dirty words but other than that, if you are handy you should not have problems with setting it up.

[ravihotwok]

Thats made me feel a lot better, I am a composites specialist by trade so pretty hands on, but this is soooo out of my comfort zone lol

[Zeeflyboy]

I wouldn't bother upgrading it (certainly not yet).

The spindle on there will be fine for light composites and plastics work - my first machine just had a dremel type router and did a perfectly acceptable job cutting composites like fr4 and carbon fibre, plus did a perfectly respectable job on acetal and other plastics. You are obviously just a little limited in material removal rates due to the relatively small bits you can use.

Ultimately you just have to have realistic expectations from a machine that only cost you a few hundred quid and change. I think in terms of value for money for getting up and running with a machine they are usually fine, and a good entry point to get your toes in the water - you can always move up to a more capable (and consequently more expensive!) machine if you decide this is the path you.

[hanermo2]

As the others said..
buy nothing more for now.

Try it, learn, the sw and jargon and endless stuff related take lots of hours.
It is much better to learn with a cheap kit machine.

Because you see Your errors faster, and ..
broken (tool) bits cost 2-5£ vs 500€ - 2500 € (machine bits), each.

This is like most common sw ...
none of it is logical, rational, well thought out.
Lots of it works "wrong",
sometimes it has errors, like engaging the reverse gear on the hw, because You put on the radio.

But it IS repeatable, simple, and productive, and very efficient.

After You learn to make "widgets" You yourself will know perfectly well;
- what you need to change,
- why, and
- can then look at how much £ for Your needs/situation

Your goals re:easy materials and easy work, are the easiest there are.

So You are 99% ahead of 99% of people who often want to machine 3d steel pieces of 1m volumetric work area/cube, often in 5 axis.

I was one of those, in 2002.
100k€ current-value-kit later, commercial industrial cnc training and work later, 17.000+ work hours later, I have a scratch built VMC nearing completion again, version 5, and a 3 axis 1 micron resolution CNC lathe refit, version 3, running sans pretties (tin aka guards, boxes for IO at lathe, energy track cables,..).
15 years, mostly full-time...

Your starter machine is an excellent option.
You learn with it, cheap, and once You can make something, anything, with it, YOU will be evaluate better what YOU want or need to do.
There are no wrong or right answers.

I know and have met customers / hobbyists from all extremes.
ANYONE can make stuff of EXTREME value on very poor machinery.
Handmade firearms or watches are 2 extremes.

Clockmakers/watchmakers and model-engine builders are 2 common examples.

But 99% cannot make money at it, unless You are at some extreme of skill/sport/brand/capacity most do not have.

A small cheap CNC cannot be profitable, ever, because the cash/investment grows by pwr2/pwr3 vs machine system total cost.

So a e.g. 1000£ CNC machine system CAN technically, of course, make parts for widgets YOU invent/control/sell to Your captive market for a profit, yes.
But YOU can get the same parts made for 50-80% less cost, from your friendly local CNC machine shop, using 70k€ machines.
Who wont know, care, or want to know, what You do, make, sell, or what the parts are for.

My point:
Your competition is NOT what your machines cost/produce/how good they are.
Your competition IS, really, can I get these built cheaper myself or elsewhere.

Mostly, almost no-one can make a rational argument for making parts ..
for testing, prototypes, learning, absolutely.
Or for controlling customer info/data like plaques/serial numbers/engraving/trophys/etc.