[Hammer7869]

Hello,

So I've done research, read advise from others, weighed pros and cons and I think I am getting close to putting in an order for a new build. This is a new process of purchasing equipment for me since it seems to be buying parts from several vendors and then putting them all together in hopes that it all works. Can I get some opinions/advise on the shopping list that I put together with a lot of help from others? I will have a computer that should be adequate to run any necessary software, so I don't have any computer information included. I will also build a stand myself, so I didn't include the cost for that.

Please let me know if there is something missing or if someone has another suggestion for a part. I'm sure there will be opinions of manufacturers, but please let me know if there is something missing.

Hardware Cost Website
Fine Line Automation 4x4 with NEMA 34 Mounts $3,925.00 finelineautomation.com/products/saturn-2-series-cnc-router-4-x-4?taxon_id=54
Nema 34 Plug and Play Electronics with 960 oz motors $2,455.00 finelineautomation.com/products/saturn-2-series-cnc-router-4-x-4?taxon_id=54
Proximity Switch Kit - Homing and Limit 6 sensors $250.00 finelineautomation.com/products/pepperl-fuchs-proximity-limit-switch-kit
80mm Spindle Mount $94.75 finelineautomation.com/products/80mm-spindle-mount?taxon_id=55
Spindle 2.2 KW air cooled spindle and VFD $439.00 automationtechnologiesinc.com/products-page/cnc-spindle/brand-new-2-2kw-air-cooled-spindle-and-vfd/
Collet set ?? ??
Router Bit Set ?? ??

Software Cost Website
Mach 3 controller Software (try and then buy) $175.00 machsupport.com/software/mach3
Vcarve Pro CAM Software (try and then buy) $699.00 vectric.com/products/vcarve.htm

 

[beltramidave]

Hey Brian,

Sorry we weren't able to get our schedules to align a few weeks ago. After this weekend, I will be around home with no travel for a couple of weeks. If it works out and you want to come see my Saturn, let me know. You have my email and contact info.

Dave

 

[Hammer7869]

It's not a problem at all. I appreciate your help so much on this.

 

[difalkner]

All looks good and plenty robust to me, Brian. Those are some pretty powerful steppers, too. I went with Mach4 for just a few dollars more to get the newer platform. I understand there are far more instances of Mach3 and tons of help but I've had no issues with Mach4.

The collet set I bought came off Amazon and included 13 collets. They've worked quite well for their price and I've had no issues with them.

As for bits, I have 1/8" and 1/4" downcut and upcut spirals, ball nose in 1/8", 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2", and others that I can use both on the CNC and in my Bosch 1617 in the router table. Because I do some intricate inlays and detail work I also have some 1/32", 1/16", and 3/32" bits. Also have a couple of V-bits in 90° and 60°. I have a few bits for plastics, too. I guess it depends on what you plan on cutting.

David

 

[honesttjohn]

Brian,

I have that same spindle and VFD from AT. VFD never out of the box. Spindle was run for about two minutes. That wasn't my problem so I boxed it back up. Want to save another few bucks?? PM me.

 

[beltramidave]

Brian,

I have that same spindle and VFD from AT. VFD never out of the box. Spindle was run for about two minutes. That wasn't my problem so I boxed it back up. Want to save another few bucks?? PM me.

Brian,

I can verify what HJ is saying as well as I was helping him with his machine issues.

Dave

 

[Hammer7869]

All looks good and plenty robust to me, Brian. Those are some pretty powerful steppers, too. I went with Mach4 for just a few dollars more to get the newer platform. I understand there are far more instances of Mach3 and tons of help but I've had no issues with Mach4.

The I bought came off Amazon and included 13 collets. They've worked quite well for their price and I've had no issues with them.

As for bits, I have 1/8" and 1/4" downcut and upcut spirals, ball nose in 1/8", 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2", and others that I can use both on the CNC and in my Bosch 1617 in the router table. Because I do some intricate inlays and detail work I also have some 1/32", 1/16", and 3/32" bits. Also have a couple of V-bits in 90° and 60°. I have a few bits for plastics, too. I guess it depends on what you plan on cutting.

David

Hi David,

Thank you, I saved the amazon link to the collets.

Can you tell me a good place to but bits from? I will be cutting wood for now, what would be a good selection of bits to buy?
Thanks!

 

[difalkner]

I get most of mine from Amazon, Brian. Pricing is good and I like the two-day free shipping with Prime. The tiny bits come from StewMac or Precision Bits.

David

 

[gmedwards]

Can you tell me a good place to but bits from? I will be cutting wood for now, what would be a good selection of bits to buy?
Thanks!

You can get Amana bits from toolstoday.com. Huge selection for just about anything you can think of, but they're pricey. Some of the highest rated router bits are Whiteside brand. Fine Woodworking tested a number of brands several years ago. Whiteside came out on top. You can find most on Amazon, but I usually buy from hartvilletool.com. Pretty much everyone sells Whiteside for the same price. Hartville has a huge selection, and free and quick shipping. What I buy most often are Yonico bits. The selection covers most everything I need, the price is right, and they hold up nearly as well as Whiteside. As far as I know, there is only one seller in the US. You can order them at Amazon, but they are all sold by the same outfit: precisionbits.com. The shipping is free, whether you buy one or a number of bits. My order always ships within 24 hours.

I use mostly the same bits as David Falkner, although I've never gone smaller than 1/16". For 1/16" l I use a tapered bit, which is also a ballnose bit. I'm pretty sure taper bits don't work for inlay work. In addition to wood bits, I have bits O-flute bits for plastic and aluminum.

I agree with David. The bits you need depends upon the work you intend to do. If you are going to do signs, you are going to need a selection V-bits, and the basic straight and ball nose spiral bits. For most of what I do (a wide variety of projects) 1/8" spirals is about as small as I need. For surfacing your spoilboard, something larger speeds along the process. I've used a 1-1/2" bottom cleaning router bit for awhile, since I already had one. More recently, I bought a larger dedicated bit (2-3/8" dia) with 3 rotatable and replaceable carbide inserts. It takes a 12mm collet, which means another collet I'd never use for anything else. A 1/2" collet won't work with a 12mm shank. It's a CMT 663.004.11. Best price I found, $67.92, was from aboloxtools.com.

For collets, I use Techniks brand. They are advertised as having within .0002" total included runout. I also changed over a Techniks collet nut.

Gary