Turnkey vs built

[bucont]

Syil has the X2 complete $2300, X3 for $3900. plus $250 to ship
Compare to X2 plus kit $1430, X3 for $2100.
X2 - appr. $900 Diff.
X3 - appr. $1700 Diff.

Considering Syil does not have a X3 machine in stock there maybe no other choice ... is there someone else to use?

[in2steam]

Originally Posted by Tim Wiltse Chris, Well then to compare apples to apples... X2 Mill=$470 plus shipping if no store local Xylotex 3 axis Drive Box w/ 269oz steppers, PS, cables etc=$420 CNCFusion Conversion Kit w/ballscrews=$540 plus shipping Total=$1430

{edited}
You forgot the prelaoded nuts, which is another $130(optional)
First,
I won't say I don't like xylotex, but I prefer a componet system, if you burn up one drive, I don't want to replace the whole board, and there are some power questions I have with those boards compared to gecko etc. And for an x2 it may be that these are fine, an x3 I would think twice.
Second,
Seems that we are only worrying about money, and I am not discounting that it is a big price difference, but at lets say a liveable wage of $15 an hour which is modest yet easy to figure. Now thats 60 hours(@ $900 straight), if you have no experience with any of the electronics how many hours to convert? and what equipment and supplies did you disqaulify that you might need to do it? Does your own work have a warranty? these are things you need to look at if you want to make money also with the machine(not to mention spend time on getting the product line to market). I only offer the things often forgotten, personally if I was to only worry about using the machine(for production) I would buy it out of the box. Me I would rather build it either way, but money is not always the only factor to take into consideration.

chris

[Tim Wiltse]

Chris,

The $130 for the reloaded ballnuts with over sized balls is an ungrade to the CNCFusion kit. My kit came with ballscrews and nuts for the listed price.

Later,
Tim

[holbieone]

repacking an external return ball nut is very easy

you can buy all the balls for 3 axis for around $25.00 and do it your self

http://stores.ebay.com/ToolSupply_Ba...QQfsubZ3502892

[in2steam]

Originally Posted by Tim Wiltse Chris, The $130 for the reloaded ballnuts with over sized balls is an ungrade to the CNCFusion kit. My kit came with ballscrews and nuts for the listed price. Later, Tim

Tim,
How much play do you have in your ball screws?
chris

[Bowman]

If you have the money and want to get on with the machining of parts get something turnkey or a complete kit at least. If you have time and want to try and save a few bucks retro CNC one yourself with parts you spec. This can be a time consuming thing and if you make a mistake in your purchase you will have wasted money and still need to get the correct item.

Since you already have a CNC and experience with using one that eliminates a big hurdle most folks new to machining and CNC in general have to get past while making the machine and before making any parts. The down side to a homebuilt as someone stated is warranty and tech support are all on you. The plus side is that if you build it yourself you should be able to do all the PM and replacing of parts as needed since you will know the machine intimately. Time is money is your trying to make money. Machining makes money, making machines takes money, the better the machine the more it will cost you to make or to buy ready to machine.

This hobby/craft/skill/trade etc etc has so many variables and things to consider and all must be well thought out as nothing is cheap. Good luck with whatever you decide on doing.


Bo

[bucont]

Sounds like turn key is the way to go for me. Now to find a machine.

Thanks all.

[MichaelHenry]

FWIW, my wife and I managed to get a Tormach into the basement of our townhome and set it up there with a head room that is only about an inch higher than the mill. Getting the parts through 3 sets of 30" wide doors was a bit of challenge.

There should be a message in the Tormach forum here with a link to some web pages with pictures and narrative on the process I followed.

Mike

[project5k]

well i would love to do my own conversion, but for now, i need to be up and running, so i'm gonna go turn key, get it producing, and then in time maby pick up a second machine and do that conversion myself to save $$$