Looking for information to help buy my first CNC machine

[tumutbound]

I have one of the 6040 machine you mentioned. Still in the process of getting it set up
Mechanically it's OK. A few rough edges to construction but nothing major, The controller is very basic and in my case, had a bad driver for the X axis. Spare boards are available but it's a pain to have to source one and install it, especially in a brand new machine. Forget about warranty as it will require that you send any faulty item back to the seller and to pay shipping on the replacement - not cheap!
The only thing I have concerns with the machine is the limited Z travel, only 70mm or so. You may want to consider this if larger (thicker) items are to be machines. This also limits the size of items that can be used with the 4th axis
I'm considering a 4th axis for mine as it will help offset the freight cost of buying a new driver board.

Due to the dead driver, I haven't been able to fully test it. As I have a Gecko G540 controller I'm going to use it instead of the controller supplied.
It's not a good time of year though to be tracking down the necessary bits and pieces I need, everything is shutting down for Christmas.

[JAZZCNC]

I have one of the 6040 machine you mentioned. Still in the process of getting it set up
Mechanically it's OK. A few rough edges to construction but nothing major

You may think that now but come back in 6mths and report on how it performs.! . . .I'll have a small waiger you don't think it's so mechanicly OK then.:whistling:

Defiantly dump the supplied control box if you have G540 it's a fantastic bit of kit.

[tumutbound]

You may think that now but come back in 6mths and report on how it performs.! . . .I'll have a small waiger you don't think it's so mechanicly OK then.:whistling:

Defiantly dump the supplied control box if you have G540 it's a fantastic bit of kit.

If you have practical experience with the 6040, what areas do you see problems with? I don't expect it to be a particularly fast machine, given the testing of working axis I done so far, but sufficient for what I want to do. Any feedback is most welcome.
The VFD supplied with the spindle is not great with quite a few users replacing them with a name brand unit.

I've gotten most of the bits I need to set up the G540 but need to pick up some suitable cable for the steppers, hopefully tomorrow or it will be sometime in the new years before shops are open again.

[JAZZCNC]

If you have practical experience with the 6040, what areas do you see problems with? I don't expect it to be a particularly fast machine, given the testing of working axis I done so far, but sufficient for what I want to do.

Like I said in my first post I dont have any hands-on experience with this exact machine but I do have plenty of experience of similiar built machines. Mainly because I end up helping those that bought them to either fix them or replace them with better design and components. Often selling and replacing with a new machine because it's cheaper and easier.
Unfortunatly I see too often people buy these type machines thinking they are better than they really are only to be sadly disappointed. This was my main reason for posting to make aware the not so obvious and just hopefully make them stand back and look a little closer.!! . . . . When on a budget and new to CNC machines it's bit like looking at Women when you have the goggles on.? . . . .Man do you regret it in the morning.:confused:


The problems don't tend to be speed related, thou it does affect feed rate to some degree. It's more poor design and mechanicly related to do with the un-supported rails and flimsy build of the gantry and Z axis. They tend flex and twist, this only gets worse as the new-ness wears off. How much is hard to say and like you mentioned will greatly depend on the Type of work and material you work with.
What I would say is if you have need for high accurecy and desire to cut harder materials, Ali, brass even some of the harder woods then prepare to be dissapointed and work very very slowly.