CAMaster CNC router tables

13097 Views 81 Replies 10 Participants Last post by difalkner, May 30, 2019

RainMan 2.0

Discussion Starter · May 22, 2019 (Edited)

Anyone familiar with them ?
At some point I wanted to purchase a Pro 4x4 from cncrouterparts, and the cost would be $5,800 Canadian for the machine , and that’s not including any electronics.

I just googled cnc router tables on kijjii and came up with this one .

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-power-tool/edmonton/cnc-router/1435719956?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

His asking price is almost the same as a new one in US funds . I should make an offer and see what he says . Start at 9k

Looks fairly heavy duty imo , and I think I’ve heard good things about this company.
Just needs a spindle and a vfd.

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ger21

· #2 · May 23, 2019

That would be a top of the line hobby machine. Many consider them to be the top machines in their price range. Very loyal following.
They're so popular that people (imo) overpay for used ones.

Reactions: 4

RainMan 2.0

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 23, 2019 (Edited)

ger21 said:
That would be a top of the line hobby machine. Many consider them to be the top machines in their price range. Very loyal following.
They're so popular that people (imo) overpay for used ones.

Thank you Gerry, good to know .

I just made him an offer . He’s lives quite a long distance from me, 7 hour drive , so I won’t be to concerned if he doesn’t entertain my offer .
The router is the only weakness I see. Will there be any unexpected issues upgrading to a spindle and vfd ? I see packages on eBay all the time . Liquid cooled spindle and a Hitachi vfd is what I’d like, as I want to minimize noise .
Looks like 20mm linear bearings possibly. Hopefully their well taken care of.
Looks as though it comes with Vcarve pro . That’s a bonus

RainMan 2.0

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 23, 2019

Well he claims he installed an hour meter on it and figures it has over 300 hours of use .
I made a low offer and he countered with $11,000.
I really didn’t want to spend that much on a used machine . He said he’s upgrading to a larger machine when I asked him why he’s selling it .
I’m thinking of offering 10k max ,but would feel more comfortable at 9500

honesttjohn

· #5 · May 23, 2019

Rick,

If you get it I've got an air cooled spindle with about 10 minutes on it along with the VFD brand new in the box. About $300 -- you pay the shipping. Cost $450 from Auto Tech last year. It is 220.

honesttjohn

· #6 · May 23, 2019

RainMan 2.0 said:
Well he claims he installed an hour meter on it and figures it has over 300 hours of use .
I made a low offer and he countered with $11,000.
I really didn’t want to spend that much on a used machine . He said he’s upgrading to a larger machine when I asked him why he’s selling it .
I’m thinking of offering 10k max ,but would feel more comfortable at 9500

Fresh Loonie's talk!!

Reactions: 1

RainMan 2.0

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 23, 2019

honesttjohn said:
Rick,

If you get it I've got an air cooled spindle with about 10 minutes on it along with the VFD brand new in the box. About $300 -- you pay the shipping. Cost $450 from Auto Tech last year. It is 220.

Thanks for the offer John. I was hoping to go water cooled ,as I thought it would minimize noise, and yes I realize the cutters make noise .
But I’ll keep you in mind.

I have a feeling I’m not going to buy this one advertised ,as he wants a pretty good dollar for used condition imo.
Gerry mentioned CAMaster has a pretty good following,so maybe the guy will get a good dollar

RainMan 2.0

Discussion Starter · #8 · May 23, 2019 (Edited)

Well I just read the specs and the CAMaster used 25mm linear racks on all axis . Heavy duty!
But there’s no mention of stepper motor size . Was hoping there NEMA 34 and not 23, but seeing as there not mentioning it ,I’m thinking NEMA 23

difalkner

· #9 · May 23, 2019

Rick, the CAMaster Stinger II comes with NEMA 34 motors. If I had not built our Saturn machine I probably would have sprung for a CAMaster, fwiw.

David

Reactions: 1

RainMan 2.0

Discussion Starter · #10 · May 23, 2019 (Edited)

Thanks David . He just replied and claims it was upgraded to 34’s .
He’s come down to $10,000 . I think it’s worth it ,as he’s claiming it’s around double by the time you get it from the USA with shipping ,taxes and exchange . I don’t even have to question that .
I know the cncrouterparts pro will be closer to 10k for the machine alone .
I have no idea how I’m going to get it in the garage at this point , but this may be a missed opportunity if I don’t jump on it .
I’m really tempted to take Friday off and pick it up . I’m concerned about damaging the gantry when it’s bouncing down the road in my trailer . Not sure what would be involved to remove it .
I’m assuming the linear bearings would be easily wrecked if I lose the ball bearings when it’s apart .

Terrible resolution,but he sent this document.

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ger21

· #11 · May 23, 2019

Will there be any unexpected issues upgrading to a spindle and vfd?

Camaster's use the WinCNC control, which is pricey.
Camaster supposedly has excellent support, and you'd need to talk to them to see what's involved if you want to get full software control.

They also have an active user forum, and someone just posted the other day about adding a chinese spindle.

Reactions: 2

ger21

· #12 · May 23, 2019

Since $10,000 is only about $7000US, it's a pretty good deal.

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RainMan 2.0

Discussion Starter · #13 · May 23, 2019 (Edited)

ger21 said:
Since $10,000 is only about $7000US, it's a pretty good deal.

I’m sure tempted to jump on this . I know I’m going to spend 20K on a cncrouterparts pro by the time the smoke clears .
This could really help me financially.

ger21 said:
Camaster's use the WinCNC control, which is pricey.
Camaster supposedly has excellent support, and you'd need to talk to them to see what's involved if you want to get full software control.

They also have an active user forum, and someone just posted the other day about adding a chinese spindle.

That’s unfortunate. I was hoping to use UCCNC that I believe you recommended a while back.
Can it be converted to that?

Reactions: 1

MEBCWD

· #14 · May 23, 2019

Rick
One of my customers has a new CamMaster Stinger II and it is a nice machine. The only thing I see wrong is the cheap top they put on it. He does want to change to something else anyway after he learns more about running it. Customer service has been good with him the couple of times he has contacted them just to ask a few questions. I helped him do the startup and cut the first project, easy to use.

I think the machine you are looking at is worth what he is asking as long as he kept up with the maintenance and if it actually only has 300 hours on it it should have plenty of life left in it. It is a good heavy machine.

Reactions: 1

RainMan 2.0

Discussion Starter · #15 · May 23, 2019 (Edited)

MEBCWD said:
Rick
One of my customers has a new CamMaster Stinger II and it is a nice machine. The only thing I see wrong is the cheap top they put on it. He does want to change to something else anyway after he learns more about running it. Customer service has been good with him the couple of times he has contacted them just to ask a few questions. I helped him do the startup and cut the first project, easy to use.

I think the machine you are looking at is worth what he is asking as long as he kept up with the maintenance and if it actually only has 300 hours on it it should have plenty of life left in it. It is a good heavy machine.

Thanks for the info Mike . My only dislike is that huge controller box mounted on the front .
If it were me designing it , I’d have it flush mounted , that way your not reaching over it .
But for the most part it looks fairly well built . I’d have to see the gantry better in person to really tell I guess .
I’m not liking the software ,and I don’t know how a system is changed to UCCNC ,and if it involves all new electronics.
That’s if I’m even correct on how this all works .

Going to be a 14 hour round trip this weekend if it happens.

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honesttjohn

· #16 · May 23, 2019

Rick

The air cooled spindle is not noisy. The vacuum is the loudest thing when it's all running, aside from the material cutting. And it's a heckuva lot simpler.

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MEBCWD

· #17 · May 23, 2019

Rick,

The controller was easy to use. I had never used WinCNC control system and remember I showed him how to use it and did the startup of the machine. He also has the laser sighting for XY zero and I had no problem showing him how to use it and also showed him how to zero without using the laser. I do have to admit that I have run other systems before but you also have to remember most CNC machines operate very similarly.

He has it set where the working access is on the left side of the machine and it doesn't pose a problem or at least not for me and I actually have mine set up where I work off the right side of mine most of the time.

Reactions: 1

RainMan 2.0

Discussion Starter · #18 · May 23, 2019

MEBCWD said:
Rick,

The controller was easy to use. I had never used WinCNC control system and remember I showed him how to use it and did the startup of the machine. He also has the laser sighting for XY zero and I had no problem showing him how to use it and also showed him how to zero without using the laser. I do have to admit that I have run other systems before but you also have to remember most CNC machines operate very similarly.

He has it set where the working access is on the left side of the machine and it doesn't pose a problem or at least not for me and I actually have mine set up where I work off the right side of mine most of the time.

Well I guess I have my best access to the left side , so that’s maybe what it will come down to .
Seems strange to me though ,as I associate working from the front. Piss poor designing on their part imo . Just how hard would have been to design that over sized cabinet to have had it installed in an embedded fashion, or on the side like cncrouterparts.
I’m getting kind of stoked about this right now , and am not sure whether to lose some oncall time this weekend,or wait to drive out next weekend when I’m not on call .
It looks like great weather in the next two weeks .

I’d like to see this working before I buy . I’m tempted to ask him to carve a simple square to ensure it’s cutting straight in all directions.
Maybe I’m being paranoid .

I’m thinking of using those ratchet tie downs to secure the gantry to one end , as I don’t want it moving and getting damaged obviously .
I’ve got a big arse trailer ,wish it was enclosed . Guess I’ll buy a tarp just in case

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RainMan 2.0

Discussion Starter · #19 · May 23, 2019 (Edited)

Well he bought it 2014 ,and I’m wondering if that makes it first or second generation?
I was reading about these possible issues from sawmill creek ,and it has me concerned .

https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?213442-Camaster-Stinger-II-Opinions
I may have to join the CAMaster forum to find out more .

I purchased the first generation CAMaster Stinger II router. Its been a pretty good machine until recently, the motor shafts on the original Stingers were machined down from 3/8" to 1/4" and they fail at the transition after a period of time. I contacted CAMaster and they sent me replacement motors when the first shaft failed. I have also had problems keeping the Y axis gear from slipping on the motor shaft, the set screw needs to be tightened often which is a problem that I have not had until recently. Unfortunately upgrading my Stinger is not cost effective.

I can't comment on the second generation Stinger II design as I didn't keep up with the changes so I don't know when the motor design was changed or the dual motor system implemented.

CAMaster has just recently started shipping the third generation Stingers. They have corrected all of the design issues and now have a much more robust machine with more powerful motors. The new Stingers also have two Y motors, each more powerful than the single motor on my machine. There are other improvements as well and its safe to say that the Stingers have matured and are more commercial in nature than the first generation routers.

I have spent some time shopping for my next CNC Router but at this point I am not sure whether I will purchase a new machine or keep my Stinger II for awhile. The Stinger III is not on my short list, the Cobra would be a much better machine IMO considering the price point.

ger21

· #20 · May 23, 2019

RainMan 2.0 said:
That’s unfortunate. I was hoping to use UCCNC that I believe you recommended a while back.
Can it be converted to that?

Do you really want to throw away a $2000 control and replace it with a $200 control? I don't think any Camaster owner would. A friend of mine used to work at Camaster, and in his opinion, WinCNC is one of the top controls out there.
Replacing it would require changing all the boards, and you'd lose the factory support that it comes with.

I would not change it.

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