Anybody with actual experience of Practical CNC

[vid1900]

Anyone actually use a Practical CNC router?

http://www.practicalcnc.com/index.htm

I see that they are about an hour away from my parent's cottage in Michigan, but I have never heard anything about them. Being that close could be a huge benefit to my father if he chooses their machine. But even being close does not help if they don't stand behind their product.

Thanks,

Vid

[cut more]

VID,
I own a practical cnc router/plasma combo. Mine has the steppers. It is ~2 years old now.
For more info/ replies try searching and posting under DIY router tables.
The practical cnc table at least when I bought mine is more of a hobby level machine not made for really heavy work. It looks like they have made improvements since I bought mine. If I had it to do over I would personally look at whatever machines I was thinking of buying, then make up my decision.
I bought mine without ever seeing 1.
hope this helps,
Cutmore

[caryk]

I purchased a Practical CNC 5x10 Dual Two Plasma/Router in March 2007, recieved in April 2007, one week late and with no assembly or operating documintation. To make a long story short, have had two encoder failures, stripped "Z" drive nut, blown "Z" servo card, and two weeks ago, blew all three servo drive cards. It took five days of leaving messages with Practical CNC to get a responce. Today, June 29, they asured me my servo controller would be shipped back, however, they still dont know what the problem is. Dont get me wrong, I like the mechanical design, but the electronics of the machine seem to be weak. Do your homework before you purchase.

caryk

[jldavidian]

This is no heavy duty machine, but it does the job. I've had mine for about 4 years, bought it used with NO documentation. That's an area the company is very weak on. But the machine has worked reliably, but then I haven't used it a lot, just done some signs, moldings, etc. The main problem I have is the drive gears are just put on with set screws and sometimes shift position or loosen and change the zeros. I've had to adjust it several times. The z-axis on mine is really a poor design too. But it is still chugging. For the money . . .

[bp092]

Looks like some cool machines. I saw them awhile back and saw their videos. Whoever was making that radius arc casing in the video has a little nerve putting their hands near the spindle like that holding the work piece as is finishing up the cutout path. Wouldn't catch me doing it; although I know why they did that.

[heliap]

I bought a practical cnc machine for my aviation business, it took a month too long to recieve it and now 2 and 1/2 months later it is still not cutting. I have had nothing but problems. With a new machine you expect a few setup issues, but this has been rediculus.
-First, there was a poor connection in my encoder plugs, caused massive irradic movements and bent my x drive shaft (6) times $32 each at a local machine shop, no sense in waiting on practical cnc.....
-second servo motor brushes were not seated on x axis so it would find an untraceable dead spot 1/2 way through a cut file and not work untill everything was restarted and moved by hand etc.Tried asking Practical cnc about that but they had no clue.
-win cnc settings do not seem to co-incide with actual cutting speeds and torch hights so torch hight controle and speeds are out of the window and I have been having to grope around in the dark to try and aproximate where the appropriot settings should be. (with a stopwatch, and stopping torch mid-cut to measure torch hight) Bottom line cut quality sucks!
-torch hight controle is a bit confusing, set torch hight in config window (for start of cut) then target voltage takes over? Whatever it is it doesnt work. for the guage stainless I am cutting hypotherm says a target voltage of 145, set 145 and the cutter took off and nosedived into the workpiece, bogged out all drives blew a fuse and shut down.
Result:
I sent my controler into practical cnc, I overnighted it because they told me it would be a one day turn around to get it fixed. A week later I phoned them and they told me they hadn't even looked at it yet!! WTF? anyways they called me this morning and said sure enough the z drive was shot.
The Problem:
They no longer have a supplier for their drives. Apperently their supplier went out of business, they have consequently shut down production untill they find a replacement drive board. They dont know whether that will happen this week or not..........?
Conclusion:
My brand new $20,000.00 plasma table / router table ( I haven't even opened that box) is now screwed with no immediate hope of repair!!!!

Long and short of it all:
I am looking for a used or spare z drive board and someone who is farmilliar with my equipment and wants to have an all expenses paid 3-4 day working vacation in the beautifull and sunny Okanagan to get my plasma table working. Any interested parties call me 250-809-5952
Kurt Hiebert
President
Heliap Aviation Products Inc.

[harryn]

Kurt - I cannot help you with your challenge, but there might be others who can. Perhaps post a short note that you are looking for help in the RFQ section. There are some pretty amazing people who read this forum.

Harry

[DSL PWR]

Originally Posted by heliap I bought a practical cnc machine for my aviation business, it took a month too long to recieve it and now 2 and 1/2 months later it is still not cutting. I have had nothing but problems. With a new machine you expect a few setup issues, but this has been rediculus. -First, there was a poor connection in my encoder plugs, caused massive irradic movements and bent my x drive shaft (6) times $32 each at a local machine shop, no sense in waiting on practical cnc..... -second servo motor brushes were not seated on x axis so it would find an untraceable dead spot 1/2 way through a cut file and not work untill everything was restarted and moved by hand etc.Tried asking Practical cnc about that but they had no clue. -win cnc settings do not seem to co-incide with actual cutting speeds and torch hights so torch hight controle and speeds are out of the window and I have been having to grope around in the dark to try and aproximate where the appropriot settings should be. (with a stopwatch, and stopping torch mid-cut to measure torch hight) Bottom line cut quality sucks! -torch hight controle is a bit confusing, set torch hight in config window (for start of cut) then target voltage takes over? Whatever it is it doesnt work. for the guage stainless I am cutting hypotherm says a target voltage of 145, set 145 and the cutter took off and nosedived into the workpiece, bogged out all drives blew a fuse and shut down. Result: I sent my controler into practical cnc, I overnighted it because they told me it would be a one day turn around to get it fixed. A week later I phoned them and they told me they hadn't even looked at it yet!! WTF? anyways they called me this morning and said sure enough the z drive was shot. The Problem: They no longer have a supplier for their drives. Apperently their supplier went out of business, they have consequently shut down production untill they find a replacement drive board. They dont know whether that will happen this week or not..........? Conclusion: My brand new $20,000.00 plasma table / router table ( I haven't even opened that box) is now screwed with no immediate hope of repair!!!! Long and short of it all: I am looking for a used or spare z drive board and someone who is farmilliar with my equipment and wants to have an all expenses paid 3-4 day working vacation in the beautifull and sunny Okanagan to get my plasma table working. Any interested parties call me 250-809-5952 Kurt Hiebert President Heliap Aviation Products Inc.

Well they would have a drive supplier if they paid their bills...
Scrap out the practical stuff, and talk to Thom at http://www.candcnc.com

My only complaint is I was short shipped some items, but they sent them out express at their cost once the error was found. The thing that sucks is the cheapest way to get it here is usps, and it is super slow. Thom is great at answering tech questions, and will spend the time it takes to make sure you understand.