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FineLineAutomation.com versus CNCParts.com

24K views 125 replies 11 participants last post by  RainMan 2.0 
#1 · (Edited)
Guys , I suspect some of you are familiar with both these companies. The price for the 4'x4' seems better at FLA compaired to CNCrouterparts , and the gantry system looks sturdier to me from FLA . I have been reading about complaints regarding customer service at FLA , mostly regerding not being able to contact easily .
I was debating to start by collecting parts for the future , mostly the hardware for now .
Also looked at JoesCNC.com , and it's also an option .

$4,100 for this from CNCrouterparts
PRO4848 4' x 4' CNC

Router Kit | CNCRouterParts



As opposed to $2,175 from FLA
https://www.finelineautomation.com/products/4-x-4-cnc-router?taxon_id=2

Check out the bearing system for the gantry at 46:40 . Looks sturdier than the one from CNC

 
#4 ·
Rick,

As stated by HJ, I just ordered a FLA Saturn 4x4, but have not received it yet as Nate is working on some modifications based on some issues with earlier machines. I am ok with waiting a little longer for this reason and so far have had satisfactory dialog with Nate.

First of all, I don't think you can accurately compare the CNCRouter Parts Pro line with the standard FLA machines. In my opinion, the CNCRouter Parts Pro machine is by far superior and if not for the difference in price and that the FLA Saturn machine comes fully assembled (with free shipping), I probably would have went with the CNCRouter Parts Pro4848.

As HJ has said, I have done a lot of research on this. The first thing you must realize, that these are kits and will still require quite a bit of work to get going as you still need electronics and machine software. If you are not comfortable with this, then I would recommend looking at the Probotix machines. I have lots of experience with these (Probotix) machines and they offer the most bang for your buck and they come to you ready to run, including plug and play electronics and computer with machine software already loaded and configured. There are several people on this forum, including HJ who can verify this.

Hope this helps.

Dave
 
#5 · (Edited)
Thanks for the replies all . Dave I'm very comfortable building one , and don't want a complete machine . I really like Nates video ,as I prefer that to instructions.
CNCrouterparts is going to be less shipping wise I suspect , as FLA is a lot further east .
I thought where the gantry rolls on the sides of the rails looked much heavy dutier than the pro model from CNCrouterparts ?
But I have seen a post where the guys bearing were digging into the side steel plate .
I'll have to try and find Scott Arts pics of his build again to compare the gantries .

I realize the kit is just the beginning, but I thought I'd do this in steps . Build a stand , build the hardware , then as money permits , add the electronics and air cooled spindle.

I know if I don't get the ball rolling and do this in steps , that I will never own one
 
#10 · (Edited)
Thanks for the link ;)
I'll check with our local FedEx and get a price .

Guys complaining about 100 ipm not working well on corners . Not sure what material he's cutting though , I think it may be MDF . Gotta read threw that thread tonight
 
#17 ·
Excited for you. As you know I am a CNCRPts fan.... mine has been a brute, and runs continuously. The few issues have been with one electronic switch which they promptly upgraded and shipped no charge. Amazing support. Get the border guards drunk and sneak it in...
 
#18 ·
I bought the FLA Saturn 4x4 in December. It is well built and made from quality components. The steel is very heavy and nicely welded, the power coating is not the greatest but its a machine and paint quality is better than some of the import tools I have bought in the past. It comes on a well made pallet with a heavy duty cardboard, waterproof cover. These are ready to go once you install the electronics. I do not have mine going yet, undecided on which electronics to use, what software I will use too Mach 4 or Linux CNC. I believe the owner of FLA is slow to respond to emails and voice mail. I do think he means well and is busy building and shipping the machines. He needs to do a better job with communicating with customers especially regarding shipping. I would recommend either size Saturn machine, a good value now especially with free shipping. I rented a F250 flatbed truck from Home Depot and 4x4 fit perfectly in the bed. Truck bed is a little hi to unload, I removed the box cover and used an engine hoist to unload. This is a heavy and rigid machine.
 
#19 · (Edited)
Edward that's for the heads up . When you say you haven't installed the electronics , I was wondering if that means it doesn't have the stepper motors installed yet either ?
Are you going with the Nema 34 series?

I have a trailer to transport it , and your right , seeing as I believe it's over 700 pounds , it would be a tad heavy to remove from a truck bed alright.

I was going to buy extruded aluminum and build one from scratch , but for the price and the Saturns rugged looking design ,I'd sooner just purchace the Saturn .
That gantry certainly looks impressive in the picture
 

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#20 ·
The gantry has now been upgraded to an all steel tube like the frame only much larger, Rick, so it's even stronger than before. I don't know how many he still has on hand that have the 8020 aluminum extrusions or when the steel model will begin shipping, though.
 
#22 · (Edited)
I prefer extruded aluminum for the entire unit personally . Welding metal makes me nervous , as there's to many opportunities for the metal to warp during the welding process and end up with a machine that's not perfectly true .
Especially if the welder is a noob. Maybe if robots were doing it :|
 
#21 ·
Eddie,
I have Linux for my Probotix and rather like it. Dedicated computer and lets me go back to the exact line if I have to pick anything up after a "goof up", pause, or power failure. Also has the project available for viewing at all the axis sets, as well as an angle shot.

Get with beltramidave. He's got one coming too and going to run it with Linux from Probotix. He'll be able to give you a lot more info and insight.

I'm watching this close cause I'm looking at possible getting another machine and thinking of going with the same table with Probotix brains. Just to keep everything on the same system, and not having to try and learn a new system like Mach 4. I'm still struggling with what I've got so far.

You can teach an old dog new tricks, just not a lot of them.
 
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#25 · (Edited)
Speaking of which , it's not a myth that he's hard to contact , at least email wise .
It's been a week and no response to my query . Hate to have an issue and need a question answered right away . I think you'd be SOL

But to tell you truth it may be for the better . After paying our 14% tax and the 26 extra cents on the dolllar right now , it would be like adding 40% tax to the purchace. That's not to mention the duty . There shouldn't be duty on an American made product , but I get charged anyways .
Everything I order from the States costs me approx double by the time the smoke clears .

I think it's back to making the Evolution CNC from Joes forum . I can source the extruded aluminum from Vancouver , and get the few neccesary machined pieces shipped over the border to me .
 
#27 · (Edited)
Well I think I'm waiting till next year . I watched more videos on the assembly of the same CNC router table that Scott Art built , and I have to say it looks well built imo .
I was going to go with the 4/4 model , but the more I think of it , I should go with the 4/8 version and be done with it.
Going with a spindle and Nema 34 electronics put it up to $11,000 US . With the exchange and tax it's closer to 20K . If things go well I'll be able to pull it off in the future though.
Hopefully the exchange rate doesn't get worse yet

Sorry guys , in the title I meant CNCrouterparts.com , not cncparts.com

Here's my wish list

http://www.cncrouterparts.com/pro4848-4-x-4-cnc-router-kit-p-251.html

http://www.cncrouterparts.com/plug-and-play-nema-34-cnc-control-system-p-132.html

http://www.cncrouterparts.com/22-kw-plug-and-play-spindle-vfd-system-p-353.html

http://www.cncrouterparts.com/leg-kit-pro-cnc-p-257.html

http://www.cncrouterparts.com/auto-z-and-corner-finding-touch-plate-p-288.html

And then there's the software. Aspire is a must have I'm sure :|

http://www.cncrouterparts.com/aspire-cam-software-p-210.html

I'm assuming you need Mach3 to run the system ?

http://www.cncrouterparts.com/mach3-cnc-control-software-p-165.html
 
#29 ·
Wow John , what a tank! Nice to see Nates machines are always evolving .
I'm sure I'm overthinking this , but my concern using steel is getting the sides equally aligned and square .
I mean if one side was up more than the other by mear thousands of an inch , it could cause issues to the final outcome .
Although I do realize you do a skim cut over the entire spoil board at the beginning so in theory it shouldn't matter I'm guessing .
I just think by using an aluminum stand with adjustable legs , you can level things perfect for a machine that was made out of extruded aluminum also .
Don't know if this makes and sense to you guys ?

I could hardly imagine shipping a 4/8 Like that ,and think I would end up going with a 4/4 if I was to go that route.
He doesn't answer emails , so maybe I should phone him some time
 
#31 ·
Rainman,

Here is the shipping info I just received yesterday from Fed Ex on the Saturn 4x4:
Dimensions 76x63x30 in.
Total shipment weight 670 lbs / 303.91 kgs

You are correct in that it is a tank! The frame of the Saturn has predrilled and tapped holes to secure your spoilboard. Should be able to use the machine to create the bolt holes in the spoilboard. As far as the build accuracy of a steel frame, I'm guessing it is pretty close as is, but it is always going to be necessary regardless of build material to surface the spoilboard to have it exactly parallel to the gantry.

Nate can be hard to reach, but I have had pretty good luck so far. Nate said he was going to post another video of the stepper drive mechanical updates soon. I will post a link, if I see it.


Dave
 
#35 ·
I suspect this is Nate himself ? If so , welcome to the forum Nate and thanks for posting :)
Nate not sure if the free shipping goes this far west , I'm in Cranbrook British Columbia Canada(very close to the USA border) , and the closest FedEx location where I can pick it up is at 2033 US-2, Kalispell, MT 59901, USA.

My interest is in the 4'/4' Saturn
 
#38 · (Edited)
^^^ thank you for the post David . In theory , could a guy not have gotten the CNC itself to drill the hole in the rails, ( or at least mark) , and save the program , change the height of drilling , and then use the CNC to again drill the holes in the MDF spoil board?

Loving your plastic screw idea , genius! :)

Guys this is looking more grim every minute . Just listening to our local radio, and all activities involving students crossing the border have been suspended because of new uncertainly in getting turned back or detained . Wish I did this before your new administration got in :(

I wonder if Nate gets a better deal than I do to get these machines across the border .
FedEx wants over $1,500 to get it from there depot in Kalispal to here . Less than 150 miles ?
 
#39 ·
I don't think so, Rick. For one thing the spindle's slowest speed is about 6,000 rpm which is way too fast for drilling a #7 hole in very hard stress relieved steel. But the biggest issue is that many of the holes are out of reach for the spindle, at least on the locations I chose. It won't get to the back frame cross member at all and won't get to the edges. But I certainly thought about it, especially after seeing that it took nearly 10 minutes per hole to drill. But that's not an issue on the new ones - Nate has predrilled and tapped holes. One of the downsides to buying a prototype... :wink:
 
#49 ·
Rick - I posted the schematic I used for my build hoping that it may help you with what is going on inside the enclosure. It's on the last page of the build (for now) - 2nd Build (first) - CNC Router.

Hope this helps!
David
 
#50 ·
David , I was up late again last night going threw your build thread . I added it to my favourites for quick access , as I'm going to be needing it . Your info is going to be invaluable, thanks again .
Loved how you made the paper templates for guides , very smart !
After watching it progress I realized how overwhelming it gets . Not something I should be intimidated by though . Wish my laser wasn't broken , as I could have made all those pro looking labels .
Would you change anything if you did it again ?
I guess you don't really want to go with a little bit bigger enclosure yet? As I was thinking of seeing if there available in one size up , as those relay banks start taking up real estate . Guess a guy could stack things .

I checked the link you posted for the steppers and found the controllers , and assumed you got them there to .
But you mention you found the enclosure on Amazon .
 
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