Help required for a CNC machine

[oosk2k6]

yeah the red box is the interlock. what router would i need to replace the Bosch 600w one with in order to mill aluminium or possibly steel? i'm right in thinking that a router that can mill metal will easily carve through plastic and wood? also, how much do you guys reckon it'll cost to replace the control box with modern tech?

cheers

[JAZZCNC]

No that machine won't cut aluminium or steel very well at all no matter what spindle it's got on it. . . It's a light duty school machine used for plastics and wood.

The problem comes form machines design and lack of strength.? Cutting even aluminium requires a very strong machine and steel takes it to another level.

The cost for good drives not these cheap Chinese all-in-one will be around £40-45 each axis then £15-20 for a breakout board. You can probably get it all the lot for approx £150 on Ebay with a bit of looking.
New steppers would make these machines much better and they will be around £25 each.

Again with bit of savy shopping you may get all lot for £200-220.?

[irving2008]

The only machine there that'll manage aluminium is the F1200. It has a 1.4Kw spindle and is good for up to 16mm milling cutters. Slightly bigger than an X3 in size, but looks in a bit of a state. Belt driven ballscrews and low spec steppers on a 38v supply according to the wabeco/emco documentation, 500mm x 110mm traverse. Will need a good strip down and clean and new drive controllers + PC.