Hello, here is my new machine

[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.

[Doddy]

Just to add to the try-before-you-buy argument:

I similarly "upgraded" a similar sized router (UK Marchant Dice) with stock unsupported rails, and the result with a 800W water cooled spindle was substantial Z deflection towards the bed centre as well as distortion on the X rail under load. (okay, my choice was easy as the original router failed and needed to be replaced)

Understand the sensible limitations of the machine before splashing out on upgrades that won't effectively work.

[A_Camera]

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

That's not really true...

...but you need to make something nobody else makes and have a group interest in buying those products. A small, relatively cheap machine can also be profitable if you know what to make and who to sell to and how. My machine is a good example. Self design, self made, pretty small and not very expensive. Already version one was profitable, that's why I upgraded. But... I sell something people are prepared to buy, and I even have to turn down some offers because it is just a hobby.

[hanermo2]

I disagree politely ! THAT is not what I said.

I said you as the seller/maker can get the parts made (very much) cheaper elsewhere, and as such it is not *economically productive*/worthwhile to make them with a small, cheap cnc.

That's not really true...

...but you need to make something nobody else makes and have a group interest in buying those products. A small, relatively cheap machine can also be profitable if you know what to make and who to sell to and how. My machine is a good example. Self design, self made, pretty small and not very expensive. Already version one was profitable, that's why I upgraded. But... I sell something people are prepared to buy, and I even have to turn down some offers because it is just a hobby.