Any reason not to buy this 3040 chinese CNC?

**jimbo_cnc** · 09-03-2015

Maybe this one? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/381098138635?

When I researched 6040s I decided I wanted ballscrew (not trapezioidal screw), and I wanted a control box with individual motor drivers rather than a 1 board solution. I don't know if those are options on 3040s

Someone else will tell you how suitable the 230W spindle is for aluminium (it might be OK?) I bought 800w watercooled for doing plastic.

**aideym** · 09-03-2015

Hi Jimbo, yes that link is the same machine as I was considering.

**komatias** · 10-03-2015

I bought one of them, the electronics are a bit limp for aluminium but the mechanics are solid enough. Be prepared to take small 0.1mm depth cuts and do not expect the world from it.

Out of the box, I found that the cables are shocking. The spindle cables are not grounded, the electronics box is not grounded and the spindle drive burns a diode that sits parallel to the power transistor. I beefed up the diode and replaced the stepper driver board with a gecko 540 we had lying around.

I use a USB Smoothstepper on it now as I have found it to suffice since there are no ground loops or powerspikes even when switching the spindle motor on.

With a little effort you can also plum the spindle control into the box too. It takes frequency input to the spindle drive board that Mach3 is capable of sending (via lpt or smoothstepper)

My machine has been loaned to a client for a bit but I installed limitswitches to it before letting them take it.

May I suggest you go with this one instead: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-AXIS-CNC...item1c4f7253ae

It has the watercooled spindle that is much better than the DC motor that the other one has.

Best of luck.

**aideym** · 10-03-2015

[QUOTE=komatias;67698]
This machine looks absolutely ideal for me. Thank you for the advice I'll see how much of a hit they will take on the best offer option.

regards
Aiden