Reveiw: Stepmores SM-3040 CNC Router/Mill

[JAZZCNC]

I would play with feeds & speeds because your not cutting properly.? Your cutting and shoving.!! Look at the vid about 1:28 and you'll see the material being curled not cut.!! . . . Basicly it's being shoved out the way not cut.
Also the chatter and resonance is quite high even thou your (rightly) conventional milling, this dull tools quickly and puts extra stress's on the machine and spindle which will prematurely wear out bearings etc.!!

I can tell the cutting set-up is wrong from the sound, when it comes to cutting Aluminium then it's slightly different from other materials regards DOC etc so it's important to find the machines sweet spot regards spindle RPM and depth of cut (DOC). This you can tell from the noise and harmonics of the machine.

This is will be different for every machine or should say most machines that are not identical.? For instance no point me telling you my set-up for cutting aluminium because my machine is completely different. It also changes with cutter size and length, even the tools material makes a big difference.

Really You need to find the machines "Sweet spot" for the machines life and your pockets sake, not to mention finished quality.!! . . At the rate I'm hearing you'll wear this machine out very quickly.
It takes some trial and error but worth it if your going to cut lots of aluminium and believe it or not can result in you being able to cut deeper with less chatter by finding the natural harmonic balance of cutting tool and machine.? . . Trial and error is the only way but it can be done quickly if done in a methodical manner.

Check this out and while it's aimed at commercial machines the principles the same. It also gives a procedure to follow that will help find the sweet spot.
It works and the difference is noticeable in both sound has well has visual not to mention performance.

http://www.mmsonline.com/articles/maximum-aluminum

[craigrobbo]

I would play with feeds & speeds because your not cutting properly.? Your cutting and shoving.!! Look at the vid about 1:28 and you'll see the material being curled not cut.!! . . . Basicly it's being shoved out the way not cut.
Also the chatter and resonance is quite high even thou your (rightly) conventional milling, this dull tools quickly and puts extra stress's on the machine and spindle which will prematurely wear out bearings etc.!!

I can tell the cutting set-up is wrong from the sound, when it comes to cutting Aluminium then it's slightly different from other materials regards DOC etc so it's important to find the machines sweet spot regards spindle RPM and depth of cut (DOC). This you can tell from the noise and harmonics of the machine.

This is will be different for every machine or should say most machines that are not identical.? For instance no point me telling you my set-up for cutting aluminium because my machine is completely different. It also changes with cutter size and length, even the tools material makes a big difference.

Really You need to find the machines "Sweet spot" for the machines life and your pockets sake, not to mention finished quality.!! . . At the rate I'm hearing you'll wear this machine out very quickly.
It takes some trial and error but worth it if your going to cut lots of aluminium and believe it or not can result in you being able to cut deeper with less chatter by finding the natural harmonic balance of cutting tool and machine.? . . Trial and error is the only way but it can be done quickly if done in a methodical manner.

Check this out and while it's aimed at commercial machines the principles the same. It also gives a procedure to follow that will help find the sweet spot.
It works and the difference is noticeable in both sound has well has visual not to mention performance.

http://www.mmsonline.com/articles/maximum-aluminum

Thanks for that, That should help me in the future.

Unsure if your aware but this is my first CNC machine so I am still quite a noobie, However i think a lot of the issue here is partly my cutter(fairly old) and also not enough HP in the spindle.

I need to reduce my feeds/get a better cutter.

Craig

[Andre Germain]

Craig,

on the strength of your review, I've gotten a quote from Stepmores for pretty much the same machine (attached) for 1500$ US not including shipping. I think this is more than you paid (was your quote of some 866 pounds Sterling including delivery?). Can you comment?

Cheers

[craigrobbo]

Craig,

on the strength of your review, I've gotten a quote from Stepmores for pretty much the same machine (attached) for 1500$ US not including shipping. I think this is more than you paid (was your quote of some 866 pounds Sterling including delivery?). Can you comment?

Cheers

Hi mate.

My machine was £880 yes, this was with Sea shipping (that only cost $15!) At the bottom of your quote it says 15 days delivery, Presumably yours includes air shipping (which I believe was another $350 or so but double check that one)

I have just checked on google for exchange rates and £880 is about $1420 add conversion fees on top of that and $1500 sounds about right.

Craig