CNC---opinions on a system

[fatdaddypreacher]

gee, never thought i'd start a thread like this, but we are seriously thinking about taking delivery on a cnc set up at work, and was wondering if any of you guys have any first hand experience on a particular brand and model. boss is hot on the trail to get a legacy gemini system with vacuum hold down and 10 foot bed. anyone got some opinions, advice. go easy on me, cause i don't know nothing about this stuff. just don't know how this stacks up quality wise with the others. we build furniture and will use it primarily for parts and the like. i know this is lc, but if we get it i'd be willing to bet my buddy that works with me will experiment on some guitar parts for his buddy that he works with. thanks.

 

[Marty M.]

I have a K2 2514 desktop model. The name changed to Velox. I'd buy another. They have a 4' x 8' machine. The metalwork is excellent.

www.veloxcncrouters.com

 

[KnightroExpress]

I've read great things about CAMaster's CNCs, though I can't say I've had the opportunity to work with one yet. The Cobra CR-510 is the only 10 footer I see on their site and boy, is it ever pricey!

 

[fatdaddypreacher]

well thanks, guys. like i said, i know nothing about any of them, but was kinda fishing for him to see what kind of reputation these guys may have. the one he's looking at is pricey for sure. waaaaay outta my league.

 

[pshupe]

Yeah. Those sizes are pricey. Vacuum tables take it to a whole new level. The motors for those can be >10hp and require loads of space and electrical capacity out the wazoo. They are just completely different than a hobby / small commercial unit. I had a hobby unit which was a CNC Shark Pro plus 25"x25"x 6" that used a 2.25 hp router as a spindle. I just upgraded to a much beefier machine with a water cooled spindle. The software is also an issue. The hobby ones have some plug and play stuff that is quite intuitive. The pro stuff has a steep learning curve and is very complicated. Good luck. I wish my work would contemplate a large size machine.

Cheers Peter.

 

[fretman_2]

Check out CNCzone.com-CNC Machines, CadCam ,Classifieds, Metalworking,Woodworking. The folks on there are great about offering good advice. If you're contemplating a certain brand of machine, I'm sure there are some reviews of it there.

gee, never thought i'd start a thread like this, but we are seriously thinking about taking delivery on a cnc set up at work, and was wondering if any of you guys have any first hand experience on a particular brand and model. boss is hot on the trail to get a legacy gemini system with vacuum hold down and 10 foot bed. anyone got some opinions, advice. go easy on me, cause i don't know nothing about this stuff. just don't know how this stacks up quality wise with the others. we build furniture and will use it primarily for parts and the like. i know this is lc, but if we get it i'd be willing to bet my buddy that works with me will experiment on some guitar parts for his buddy that he works with. thanks.

 

[fatdaddypreacher]

well, this ain't no hobby machine from the looks of things. i understand it will pull a vacuum through a piece of 3/4 mdf. never heard of such a thing. my boss and another worker saw it in operation and say it is quite incredible. thanks for the tips, guys.

 

[Seitz333]

I bought a CNC Router Parts 24 x 48. Love it but having to do over I would go with a 48 x 96. Always go bigger than you think you will ever need... Ill post some pics later tonight.

CNCRouterParts

Chuck

 

[free2rock]

Subscribing to this thread. Considering the X-Carve or Shapeoko myself, but I want to see what other options and things I have to account for before making a decision.

 

[fatdaddypreacher]

well, the boss ordered the machine i mentioned. it will be several weeks before it arrives, but will post pics when it gets here. i think he's going with 5 tool heads, vacuum table and lathe option with a 10' bed. i'll be watching this closelly, as i have no knowledge or exerience with these things, but will undoubtedly get him to do some stuff for me on it.

 

[Marty M.]

Subscribing to this thread. Considering the X-Carve or Shapeoko myself, but I want to see what other options and things I have to account for before making a decision.

If I were you, I'd consider a machine built with larger extrusions for guitar work. I have a shapeoko2 here. You get what you pay for with cnc routers and most stuff in general.

 

[Ken McKay]

well, the boss ordered the machine i mentioned. it will be several weeks before it arrives, but will post pics when it gets here. i think he's going with 5 tool heads, vacuum table and lathe option with a 10' bed. i'll be watching this closelly, as i have no knowledge or exerience with these things, but will undoubtedly get him to do some stuff for me on it.

nice choice

 

[fatdaddypreacher]

i know he certainly hopes so

 

[pshupe]

That sounds great. I'd love to have access to such a machine! Good luck.

Cheers Peter.

 

[free2rock]

If I were you, I'd consider a machine built with larger extrusions for guitar work. I have a shapeoko2 here. You get what you pay for with cnc routers and most stuff in general.

How is the accuracy on the shapeoko? I was thinking of making templates and inlay work with the machine.