CNC Supra retrofit kit

[pearldiver]

Any one here owns a CNC supra or the cnc retrofit kit for the turret kneemill? I have been checking on the different retrofit kit on the market and so far their kit is the most affordable. Maybe somebody here could post a review or share your thought about their product.

I'm a custom knifemaker here in the Philippines and will be moving to Sydney this coming May. I was thinking of buying a knee mill there and converting it to a cnc :-)

[pearldiver]

It seems that CNCmaster supra have so many negative reviews on the web ( forums ). The only positive comments I see are those on their own website

CNC Machine Testimonials | CNC Milling Machine Software | CNC Milling Machine Products

I think I should stay away from the Supra and look for another one.... :-(

The second option that I see is the cnc retrofit kits offered by:

Low Cost CNC Retrofits, Lowest Possible Price in Industrial Stepper, Servo Controller Packages. Shipping WORLDWIDE

Are there many people here who use their system since it is made in australia?
The price is very tempting, but it is not a plug and play retrofit kit. I'am not knowledgeable yet on CNC so I guess it will be very hard on my part
I hope there are some members here that I could commission and just pay for a fee to do the conversion.

I was thinking of getting a Hafco turret mill ( https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pr...tockCode=M598D ) and convert it to a CNC.

[TYRUSS]

Hi Pearldiver, I bought a 7amp 4 axis sytem with 1200oz motors (only 3 for now)from Lowcost and I'm very impressed with the overal quality.
I'm currently fitting it to a new Optimum Vario BF46 another bit of stuff I am EXTREMLY happy with.

[pearldiver]

Hi Tyruss, what kind of knee mill are you going to retrofit it? Hope you could post updates on your project :-)

[TYRUSS]

It's an Optimum BF46
Optimum Machines: BF 46 Vario

I spent a year looking for a machine and I waited another 4 months for delivery of this one.
The Australian dealer is crap but the machine is outstanding, read the spec's for speed and table size not to mention accuracy.
I got one with a start up kit of vice,cutters,arbors, collets, stand and tools for @$5500.

[pearldiver]

It's an Optimum BF46
Optimum Machines: BF 46 Vario

I spent a year looking for a machine and I waited another 4 months for delivery of this one.
The Australian dealer is crap but the machine is outstanding, read the spec's for speed and table size not to mention accuracy.
I got one with a start up kit of vice,cutters,arbors, collets, stand and tools for @$5500.

Nice machine Tyruss Keep us updated from time to time when you retrofit it with cnc

[TYRUSS]

I had also looked at Hare & Forbes machinery, the HM48 and HM50. After I received my machine I went to Hare and Forbes to get some other stuff and had another look at their stuff. It's junk compared to the BF46 Optimum it is really crude in comparison.
It's just a shame that the dealer is pathetic for service !
MACHTECH MD46
They have re-badged it as a Mach Tech.

[Cured]

I had also looked at Hare & Forbes machinery, the HM48 and HM50. After I received my machine I went to Hare and Forbes to get some other stuff and had another look at their stuff. It's junk compared to the BF46 Optimum it is really crude in comparison...
I got Optimum BF46 Vario... with a start up kit of vice,cutters,arbors, collets, stand and tools for @$5500

Tyruss, I can see were you're coming from, I too felt the same way when I decided to purchase an 18" bandsaw having done all my research on the net I was convinced the Tiawanese H&F BP-480 was the one. so with trailer in tow I was off to pick one up. Sadly having previously seen the Jet JWBS-18Q, the BP-480 just did'nt pass the inspection test so I came home with the Jet instead.

This year I desided to add a miller to the workshop, having no experience I relied on Woodworking forum, Youtube, and the recent decovery of cnczone amonst other sources for information. Although I would like a small cnc mill the outright cost with tooling is outside my budget.

With no immediate planned use of the miller, I turned to an old friend who has a older HM30 and he pointed out with inovation and imagination and the homebuilt cnc conversion his HM-30 has served him well.

So, starting out and looking initially at the something like the HM-32 then the Seig Super X3 (dismissing it after all the negative reports) I found after adding all the "extra's" stand, coolent, motordrives, digital readout, H&F's HM48 looked very attractive at $3949 take home Sale special.

But that's not enough, tooling is the hidden cost and unlike what you opt for a "bundled" starter pack. I went for quality and complete range to suite the HM-48, a full collet set, clamp kit, precision toolmakers vise, boring head, assorted face, slot, end mill sets all in tugsten, rotary table and dividing head and anything else I could think of. In all the "package" came in at just shy of $6400, wonderful annual sales literally saves $thousands.

Now, admittedly the HM-48 has'nt the polished finish of the BF46 Vario, and unlike the senerio with the bandsaws were I found the the rack of the BP-480 made from pressed steel unlike the solid cast iron rack of the Jet, but it is a solid machine and like all my previous machines I will enjoy dismantling and rebuilting it to obtain a finer accuracy and understanding its strenght and weaknesses.

Unfortunately I have once again had another stay in hospital, and H&F have kindle stored my mill until I'm well enough to collect it. Until then and I have time to uncrate and tinker I will not be able to post a review... Know my wife keeps telling me to give up my hobby every time I get sick... It may be a while.

But what the heck what would life be without being ably to step into the shed and polish my tools once in a while... LOL

[TYRUSS]

Since my last post this has been put up on Low Cost CNC, scoll down the page to see my Optimum and make sure you watch the Youtube link, it should give you a laugh.

link
Customers Pictures and Videos