CNC 3040 Collet size and other questions?

[camhguh]

If may ask some really basic questions, is there a basic setup guide for Mach3 with the CNC 3040 with YooCNC controller anywhere that anyone could point me to?

Yes you can download the machine manual from the ebay sellers site and that contains the basic mach3 settings

http://www.jinlantrade.com/ebay/3020t/CNCusermanual.doc

Basic assembly, the cap screws holding the steppers are presumably HT steel is it advisable to use some antiseize paste, coppaslip, graphite, Loctite 2 million quid a tube type stuff to stop them welding themselves in?

If you already have any of those then they wont do any harm but i wouldn't buy specifically, never found removing cap screws from aluminium a problem even in harsh areas

As far as can understand from other forum posts CNC3040 and other Chinese spindles are likely to have an ER11 chuck, though some mention that it may be an incompatible ER11b chuck (?) .

Yes i have read this as well and would like clarification also before purchasing a set of cutters.

If can establish and how, what king of chuck is mounted , is it as simple as changing the collet to accept 1/4" cutters?

Yes you need a collet that will take the shank of whatever drill size your using and I believe that the max for ER11 is 6mm

It is certainly an interesting learning curve :)

[Musht]

Much appreciate the link Hugh, makes things a bit less daunting.

Steel into aluminium, well lets just call it `alloy` that Japanese motorcycles are made from has caused me trouble in the past.
Then there was Honda`s Comstar wheels, alloy rims with stainless spokes and alloy rivets, just add salt water..

Though from Jonathan `s comment mebbe see if they`re inclined to rattle out befor application of anything suppose.

Thanks John, just to check for running a 1/4" / 6.35mm shank cutter really want a ER11 6mm collet? and possibly safest to order a ER11 nut as well in case supplied version on spindle is an ER11A?

Much appreciate the help.

Cheers
Adam

[Tenson]

I got the following from Arc Euro Trade and it fitted my CNC3040 letting me use 1/4 shank router bits.

ER11 Collet Nut - 050-110-11530 - £6.95
ER11 Collet 1/4" - 050-110-11240 - £6.00

The nut thread was a little tight but after a drop of oil and a few uses it is working nicely.

[Musht]

Thanks for that Tenson, its reassuring, especially to know to expect it to be tight on its threads :-)

Other thought had for low cost tooling is Dremel and clone cutters, these normally have a 1/8" shank and should fit supplied collet.

See that a Dremel is spindle of choice in some builds, do have an interest in milling PCBs amongst everything else ;-)

[Musht]

Just to update , Dremel and Dremel alike, 1/8" 3mm shank cutters, do fit nicely in supplied collet , been zipping through softwood with some Aldidl rotary tool cutters.

Proxxon tooling is 2.35mm diameter, different collet size.

Dremel branded tooling is ludicrously expensive, quite a lot of lower cost HSS and engraving bits available without the brand tag on them.