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New to CNC - Upgrading question
Hey all, I've been a woodworker for 45 years and am just beginning to look into CNC's. I recently purchased a Vevor 3018 Prover from an acquaintance. He stated he did a few upgrades including the spindle and I think he said the power board but did not know anything about them. To me, it all looks like original equipment sold with the machine. The spindle has absolutely no markings.
My question is... I want to upgrade it to use 1/4" as well as 1/8" inch bits. What would I have to purchase to upgrade this machine to handle the 1/4" bits? I don't want to spend a fortune, I only paid $100.00 for a like-new machine. I plan to do a complete major upgrade after I kind of figure out how to basically work one.
My question is... I want to upgrade it to use 1/4" as well as 1/8" inch bits. What would I have to purchase to upgrade this machine to handle the 1/4" bits? I don't want to spend a fortune, I only paid $100.00 for a like-new machine. I plan to do a complete major upgrade after I kind of figure out how to basically work one.
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It really comes down to the spindle that is installed on the machine. Doing a quick check, the spindle that comes with the machine only accepts 1/8" bits. The collet needed for a 1/4" bit simply will not fit. The 3018 machines are typically under $200. The cheapest option would be to get a small router like the Bosch Colt and the appropriate mount for the 3018.
Thank you, I have a colt. What do I need to increase the power?
Welcome to the forum, @Down East Woodworking
I guess what I'm trying to do, (as seen on youtube) is to turn my 3018 into a 3040. Does anybody have experience doing this?Hey all, I've been a woodworker for 45 years and am just beginning to look into CNC's. I recently purchased a Vevor 3018 Prover from an acquaintance. He stated he did a few upgrades including the spindle and I think he said the power board but did not know anything about them. To me, it all looks like original equipment sold with the machine. The spindle has absolutely no markings.
My question is... I want to upgrade it to use 1/4" as well as 1/8" inch bits. What would I have to purchase to upgrade this machine to handle the 1/4" bits? I don't want to spend a fortune, I only paid $100.00 for a like-new machine. I plan to do a complete major upgrade after I kind of figure out how to basically work one.
I have not done such a conversion. That said, I have designed and built my own CNC router. That may be an option for you to consider, and you will likely get a much more robust machine in the end as well.
Ditto, and got a machine much more robust than I could go out and purchase.That said, I have designed and built my own CNC router.
The reason ot uses an 1/8 bit is the machine is a lightweight cnc. You weld a trailer hit to a vw bug and pull a gravel trailer but not far. There are many 1/8 bits available. Stay with what does. If you want more power jack it up and slide a better machine under it. Sorry but that is the way it is. I am sure that is not what you want to hear but it is reality.
Take a look at Shapeoko, oneinfinity, inventables, openbuilds.
Invest your money pn cad/cam program. Vetric, Fusion 360, Carveco, etc. There are free open source applications as well.
C3D Shapeoko has an excellent community forum as well as other venders. The Chinese machines have zero support. Maybe check fakebook for a forum for your machine.
Invest your money pn cad/cam program. Vetric, Fusion 360, Carveco, etc. There are free open source applications as well.
C3D Shapeoko has an excellent community forum as well as other venders. The Chinese machines have zero support. Maybe check fakebook for a forum for your machine.
As suggested above, significant upgrades are probably not realistic. The entire unit will be designed and built to a price, including 1/8 collet spindle (if you could call it that) extrusions that form the 3D transport mechanism, the stepper motors that move everything, the drive mechanics that couple the steppers and transport mechanism, and the electronics that control the steppers.
Adding a larger, heavier, and more powerful spindle in the form of a trim router motor will stress the transport mechanism, both from having to support extra weight, and also from having to endure greater cutting forces if you install larger cutters in the 1/4" collet. This in turn stresses the drive mechanics, steppers and control electronics, resulting in slipping or missed steps and rejected cuts.
Use what you have within it's design limits to learn how to design things, prepare the data files for them and make them. Then, decide whether you want to continue down that path and get a more capable machine, or else move the machine on to someone who is willing to use it within it's capabilities. There seem to be a lot of these cheap micro machines on the second hand market, presumably because people are attracted to the relatively cheap price as an entry level unit, then either outgrow the machine or loose interest.
Adding a larger, heavier, and more powerful spindle in the form of a trim router motor will stress the transport mechanism, both from having to support extra weight, and also from having to endure greater cutting forces if you install larger cutters in the 1/4" collet. This in turn stresses the drive mechanics, steppers and control electronics, resulting in slipping or missed steps and rejected cuts.
Use what you have within it's design limits to learn how to design things, prepare the data files for them and make them. Then, decide whether you want to continue down that path and get a more capable machine, or else move the machine on to someone who is willing to use it within it's capabilities. There seem to be a lot of these cheap micro machines on the second hand market, presumably because people are attracted to the relatively cheap price as an entry level unit, then either outgrow the machine or loose interest.
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