Gerber system 48 conversion

**GEOFFREY** · 23-02-2013

Martin,I know much has changed over time and that you have already replaced the electrics which will make the machine much better (modern steppers would also improve performance). The Z axis would certainly be improved with a ballscrew, although many machines run quite successfully on trapezoidal leadscrews. The Z axis travel is very short, so I do not know if the "skinny" unsupported rails are likely to cause you a problem, depending of course on what you are cutting.
Out of interest, did Stu alter the Z? or is it still as original. I knew someone who was running one of these machines 20 years ago, and he is still full of praise about how good it was.
Anyway, good luck with whatever you do and I look forward to hearing you are soon up and running. G.

**WandrinAndy** · 16-08-2013

G'Day,

I've made the permanent trek down to Melbourne and have just noticed the following item on eBay:

Gerber System 48 CNC Router in Melbourne, VIC | eBay

It's close-ish to my final resting place so I will pay a visit to inspect it before placing any bids.

I was planning on doing my own build from scratch as per http://www.mycncuk.com/forums/router...html#post37710 but am now wondering whether I could garner enough worthwhile parts from this eBay item as a starting point?

Any thoughts on it's likely value please?

Cheers,
Andy

**stuboy** · 16-08-2013

I would guess about 600 to 800 uk pounds if its ok. I paid about 1400 for my one (its got a bed double the depth) but have put new motors and re leveled it. Its probably most useful for its bed its all seriously over engineered and super strong. I think that's the original spindle, they are very noisy! I would just upgrade motors and spindle if the bed is big enough the rest was built to last forever. Hope thats some help

Regards
Stuart

**martin54** · 16-08-2013

If it's close enough then I would say definitely worth a visit, as Stuart says the frame is a serious bit of kit so think about that for lifting & transporting. From the description the guy has already replaced the original electronics but check the motors as the original motors if still fitted may need replacing, the magnets on the slo syn motors deteriorate with time.
Forget the starting point, if the machine is still in good condition then it will work fine as is, although you may want to consider changing the spindle. The porter cables are very noisy as Stuart has said. Mine now has a 2.2Kw water cooled spindle & VFD.
Price is always a difficult one, have a look at it first but also work out what it would cost you to buy the same components & that's without all the time required to actually build a machine.

**GEOFFREY** · 16-08-2013

Hi Andy, good luck with your move down under, I hope it suits you well. I don't understand the comment about bed size being 12200x800. I have always understood that the system 48 (then name changed to AR 400) had a working area of 48"x48". Lots has been said by owners Martin and Stuboy on this thread, but I have seen the odd machine on ebay and they seem to make anything between £400-£1500, but at the lower end they would almost certainly require the electronics replacing. If this is up and running, why strip it for parts, unless of course you want to cut ally!!
Anyway, good luck with whatever you do. G.

**martin54** · 16-08-2013

Not so Geoffrey, there were 2 models one with a shortish bed & one with a longer bed. One I have is the shorter bed model, Think the maximum length for machining is just over 700mm but width is 1270mm
You can actually fit a 5' wide sheet on the bed but would obviously need to support the overhang on the length.
No problem cutting aluminium Geoffrey, cut a few bits on mine already, Gerber produced these for the signmaking market where they would be expected to cut foams, plastics & composites but the machines were hugely over engineered for their intended use.

Yes good luck with what ever you decide Andy.

**GEOFFREY** · 16-08-2013

Thanks Martin. I have only encountered the larger model then. Glad to here that you have been cutting ally, but I suspect that you have been using sensilble DOC's. As you say, for their intended use they were well over engineered, which is why quite a few are still giving stirling service. G.

**WandrinAndy** · 25-08-2013

The Gerber-48 was within about 40km which in Aussie terms is very close, but unfortunately when I went back to eBay it had gone, so guess somebody did a Buy-It-Now. Oh well, if you snooze, you lose!
Thanks All for your helpful responses though!
Cheers, Andy