Info on Chinese suppliers, their reliability and reputation

[jcb121]

I've become a bit of an ali whore lately as I have more patience than money :-)

It just sells eveything and I love it. Things are always sent recorded and haven't had a bad experience yet.

[John S]

One thing to remember with the Portsmouth sellers is that Portsmouth is only a bonded warehouse that ships out.
All queries / problems are dealt with in China and they can piss you about starting with the
"Send us a video of the part not working " ??? It's a valve for fooks sake it doesn't move when working.

Then they wait in the hopes you get pissed off and then when you think you are getting somewhere you get

"Send us a video of the part not working "

You have to cost into the savings, can I repair this if needed. I bought a laser cutter and the answer was yes given that the most expensive part was cheaper to bu that what a machine in the UK cost.

Spindles ? no way. There are about 6 or 7 companies out there making and selling spindles but loads selling them, where do you think the seconds go and returns ?

Too much unchecked stuff floating about.

[Want2build1]

ok ... so can I be more specific :) I'll ask about one component at a time ...

Any recommendations on where to buy a spindle ?
What power should I consider for cutting MDF ? (and as with most people , there is that desire to cut ally ! lol )
(I'm currently using a 500w Bosch Router)
should I get the VFD with the spindle ?
Stateside, they seem to like the Hitachi controlers ?

[EddyCurrent]

Whatever spindle you get I would highly recommend one with an ER20 collet so you can use up to 1/2" shank cutters.
As you will be aware there is a wide choice and even wider price range so it might be easier to set your price range first then see what's available within it.
I know the 1.5kw and 2.2kw Chinese spindles are popular and come packaged with a VFD all at a very good price, myself I went for an Elte spindle and an ABB inverter
because I want it to work and keep on working. The spindle was expensive but what I'll save building the machine myself will cover it and as it's for the wife and me to use
I thought we were worth it.

[Jonathan]

Any recommendations on where to buy a spindle ?

Yes.

What power should I consider for cutting MDF ? (and as with most people , there is that desire to cut ally ! lol )

Depends how fast you want to cut it, but generally people get the 2.2kW spindle simply because it has the larger collet size.

should I get the VFD with the spindle ?

Yes. I don't know anyone whose broken one in normal use.

[Want2build1]

Whilst were on the subject of spindles ... I keep forgetting, I have a Freud 2.2kw router 1/2" collet with speed control, that I haven't used for years ! ... what are the advantages of a water cooled spindle, over using a big router ?

[JAZZCNC]

Whilst were on the subject of spindles ... I keep forgetting, I have a Freud 2.2kw router 1/2" collet with speed control, that I haven't used for years ! ... what are the advantages of a water cooled spindle, over using a big router ?

Depends what your cutting.? If just cutting wood profiles etc then power wise probably not much. If doing detailed work or cutting hard materials or jobs taking many hours like 3D work then they have few big advantages.
First run-out of the spindle is much less, second the bearings and general spindle body are much stronger so handle high cutting forces better. Because they are WC they have No duty cycle to speak of so can run for days without stopping, routers will fry if you try to run them for hours without stopping. Even industrial routers don't like running for 20+ hrs non stop where has WC will happily do 20hrs without getting more than warm.

Not so big deal but they are also very quite compared to a router.

[Want2build1]

hmmm... I think I might use the router at 1st ... spindle later :) I had completely forgot I had it !
Also, you say quiet ... surely the cutting is the noisiest bit ?

So ... next ... rails and bearings ... I don't want unsupported. Round is much cheaper than hiwin type.. Anything wrong with supported round rails and bearings ?

Recommended suppliers ?

[John S]

Noise, or rather lack of it. Reliability because they have no brushes or comutators to wear out

[Jonathan]

Whilst were on the subject of spindles ... I keep forgetting, I have a Freud 2.2kw router 1/2" collet with speed control, that I haven't used for years ! ... what are the advantages of a water cooled spindle, over using a big router ?

Rigidity - most likely bigger bearings so the stiffness is higher.