Spindle vs Router

[scratch-golf]

Talking to a few companies to build a CNC machine for me. I have heard the sales pitch for buying a spindle (faster, quieter, lasts longer) vs a regular router, but wanted to get feedback from someone whos doesnt have a commission involved.

I will be cutting mostly MDF so i would imagine the wear and tear on the machine wont be as heavy as some. I will be using this machine in my gararge, so the 'quietness' may be needed. Not sure how much I may be using it but I hope a lot as I am starting a new company.

Any thoughts?

[cabnet636]

i have two machines both have 5hp main spindles one hsd the other a columbo, one machine has three heads (one hsd spindle and two portercable routers) i just finished running 34 mdf doors with it a few minutes ago. my rule is if you can afford the spindle it should be a first choice, if you use the 3.25 porter get an extra so when the bearings must be replaced you can swap them out, i have heard one can get ceramic bearings for the pc and i will when these two need them. it is harder to add a spindle later on if it can be afforded then it would be my first choice

jim

[ger21]

A 2.2Kw spindle is smaller, has more power, and maintains a consistent rpm better. Easier to control rpm with software. Price is the only disadvantage, but if it lasts twice as long, the price is actually an advantage. (Assuming you go with a chinese model, as name brand spindles are much more like 3-5 times more money)

[scratch-golf]

Thanks guys, you told me what i had expected, but i just needed to hear it from cnc users, not salesmen. I was leaning towards the spindle, now im convinced fully! thanks again.

J

[scratch-golf]

You guys have any input on ez-router vs. a legacy machine?

[rnponti]

I have owned a Legacy for 5-6 years. I really love the machine. It is pricey. I have the 1800 model. I have learned that if you are purchasing upfront and know you are going to automate then it is better to buy it as a CNC. I bought mine before the CNC option was available.

A friend of mine has the ez-router 4'x4' or maybe its 5'x5' I don't remember. But it will not do anywhere near what my legacy will do (the difference is in the software.) The ez-router has a larger table. However, If you are going to spend $10,000 on a CNC then buy the legacy Artisan. I think you would be happier and more productive.

I have had so much fun with the upgrade on my Legacy (and I don't want to spend $10,000) that another friend and I built him a CNC using black iron pipe and roller blade bearings for his linear rails. The machine was dirt cheap but it only has 1/8" accuracy. That is fine for a $500 machine made from scrap pipe, roller blades and a junk computer the only thing we purchased was the gecko 540 (4 in 1 controller) and a breakout board, oops almost lied we paid $12.95 each for the surplus steppers from MPJA. Everything else we scrounged.

Now we are building a larger machine for me, it is 3.5 ft wide, 11 ft long and has a 36" Z axis. It also has a lathe option with a 360 rotation on the z axis and 180 rotation on the Y axis. Believe it or not it looks like it will be around $2,000 that is all in. We bought the Rails used on ebay, that accounts for the unusual dimensions. The accuracy on this machine should be .001

Have a wonderful day making your garage dusty.

Robert

[cabnet636]

a lot is changing in the world of rotary machining

http://www.vectric.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=6449


http://www.vectric.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=6417


these fellows are on the agenda to speak at a gathering of aspire owners oct 2/3 we will have a lot more info and photos of rotary machining after that,

here is a machine the fellows at camaster are finishing for me, we are altering it to have the lathe run down the center and a removable table

jim