Help needed to choose a machine.

[DustySixString]

He spent some time talking to Acctek on Skype to agree the exact spec. I know that he used a UK shipping agent to handle all the transport issues but I'm not sure who it was - someone else on the forum was talking about this recently and I think they had found a suitable agent. I'll see if I can find who my friend used.

My only experience of Acctek is this one machine but based on this one example, it seems ok. There are a number of things about it that I would do differently but the real test is, does it do the job you want? My friend runs a small sign- and notice-board making business and for lettering, cutting hardwood, that kind of thing, it seems to work fine.

Yes it is to start using as part of my business and sounds perfect for my needs at the minute, I take it once I've got used to operating the machine and know a bit more! Could upgrades be an option in the future?.

Hi Sean

After doing a fair bit of research, the AccTek 6090 emerged as a reasonably well built and cost-effective machine for my needs. The import and delivery costs do add a fair bit to the price, mind you. I can PM the details if you like. If I may - a word to the wise on any shipping costs the manufacturer quotes: I was quoted very low prices for shipping using the manufacturers choice of shipping company but this is usually a loss leader for the shipping co which can then clobber you at the UK end with unexpectedly high fees. For the sake of transparency, ask for the FOB price and get a UK freight forwarder to get you an all-in quote. Apologies if you know all this already but it was all new to me.

I've not pulled the trigger yet on the Acctek machine for a couple of reasons - one of them being Clive putting into my head the idea of building my own! I've been reading the build logs on this forum and I think that with some help from wiser heads than mine, a self-build might be feasible although the electrics side of things worries me a bit.

Anyway... enough rambling! Best of luck with whatever decision you make. There's a ton of useful information in these forums, as you'll have seen, so happy researching.

Chris

Hi Chris

I can imagine the price does start to rise quite a lot, so yeah if you could pm me the details to have a nosey at that would be great.
I would love to have a go at building one when time permits but as of now it's going to have to be a pre-built machine and take it from there.
Thanks for your post.

5k is not unreasonable for as machine. The other one is expensive. No need for fancy spindles when the Chinese spindles do the same job.

Now there is that thing that for that money, me or sb else could build you a machine with better pro grade controller, better drives and motors and much more capable. In fact the first one is just re branded Chinese machine. I hate things with inherent design flaws, and if it was me i couldn't live with such a thing, unless i dont have to.

yes, some things the chinese machines have better priced than what i can do for the money, like the working bed and ... what, nothing else

And about the support: Wait, what i have build the only support that it needed was sorting Windows bugs

This is definitly something ill have a think about, but im not sure how that would work payment wise and with claiming it back against my tax.

But back to Sean - shippo.co.uk was the company that I approached re shipping from China. There is a lot of very useful info on their website and they were very helpful in answering my questions, so that would be my recommended first port of call. No pun intended...

Cheers will check them out