Quote Originally Posted by Tenson View Post
Secondly, if make sure the cutter spindle is one of the 800watt items rather than the air-cooled 200watt items (mine has). This should significantly increase the machines capability


Not necessarily.? It could and probably will make it worse due to the fact the Z Axis isn’t built to handle the extra weight or cutting forces.

I can tell you for sure the Z Axis on the 3020 I have here wouldn’t be able to handle the weight of the 1.5KW WC spindle and cutting forces without showing signs of both resonance/chatter on the work plus the extra strain on the motor/drive and Z axis components.!
I honestly think a larger spindle on this machine would shorten it’s life considerably in both terms of wear on the Z Axis and the drives/motors working over time.? . . . And from the pics I see of the 3040 it doesn’t look built any different and very much doubt the drives/motors are either.?