Quote Originally Posted by m_c View Post
I'm sure some of you will of probably seen this, but there's currently a BT/ISO 15 ATC over on kickstarter - CNC BT15/ISO15 ATC Spindle Cartridge and Spindle Shaft Kit by Dale Walsh — Kickstarter

Looks quite promising, and I am very tempted for future use.
There are various options ranging from $10 just for the plans, to $2500 for a full spindle, air cylinder and 30 tool holders.
A complete spindle on it's own is $775, although it's not to clear on what's included with that option.
Not clear???

Each reward is clearly explained about what will be provided, $775.00 spindle cartridge only, no tool holders no air cylinder, just the spindle cartridge.

The prices of the rewards are the production cost, there is no profit and before you make any foolish remarks about being able to make the same product/quality cheaper, consider that there is $394.00 USD in the two front bearings alone, the remaining $381.00 for material, machining, tempering, hardening and precision grinding and did I mention the petal-clamp, this clearly demonstrates mass production without profit so how could you produce it cheaper without making major sacrifices is not possible.

And the only reason I can get the bearings for $197.00ea is that we regularly buy 500 matched pairs per order at work and I add on what I need, if I had to buy the bearings retail, the cost would be more than $325.00ea for cheaper NSK sealed AC bearings and it would then be impossible to produce it for $775.00.

-- Dale Walsh