Newbie- First machine - Komo?

[pahvantpiper]

I am a commercial beekeeper looking to build my own bee boxes and to sell locally - there's good demand where I live. Anyway, I know a fellow that has a Komo with 2 spindles 12 hp each. Comes with 2 - 10hp vacuum pumps and vacuum table. It's a 1992 vr508. Has no tool changer or software. I guess I'd have to buy the design software from Komo and a faster computer. Anyway, For making boxes with finger joints, similar to dove tails, would this be a good machine? He's asking $18500 for the machine as is. How much would it cost to have a tool changer added on? Thank you so much.

-Rob

[ger21]

For making boxes with finger joints, I'd buy a table saw and box joint jig. A really good new table saw will be under $2K, and will be just as fast if not faster than using a router,

If that Komo is not running, it can easily cost $10K or more to get running again. A tool changer and setting it up to control it can be another $10K-$15K.

[cabnet636]

what type of materials and how do you build your boxes, you could get a joes cnc (under 4000.00) or any number of smaller cnc's to do this, abig old komo would scare the p%&s out me for this use

jim

[cheetahcnc]

If a cnc router is essential to making the product, there are plenty of choices out there that are running. A machine pulled from service is usually done so for a reason. Mid 1990's machines usually have obsolete controllers, hardware, and software (not running). Many of the good cam softwares don't have a post processor for them. Is was about a $10k adder for one machine, early 1990's, at a kitchen cabinet manufacturer from a quality cam software vendor. There are plenty of cnc routers available that are running, with the latest software/hardware, and at bargain prices because of the economy. Up in the 40k+ range you can easily find a new machine, possible one which the manufacturer would demo your part on, giving you an actual production time. You would have to purchase the tooling, but you will be doing that anyway in the very near future. You can also start the project out with a lot less money by checking some of the ones offered on eBay for starters.

Jim

[Crevice Reamer]

Hi Rob. Welcome to the Zone!

Check out this BRAND NEW router for under 6K:

IronMan Router Pictures

CR.

[pahvantpiper]

Thanx for the help. I've made boxes on a table saw before...much too slow. I know a guy who makes boxes on a 2 spindle machine using 4 - 1X12X8's at a time. Each 1X12 makes a box, so 4 boxes per cycle and about a cycle every 10 minutes. He can make over 200 boxes a day. I need to make at least 100 a day (that's 200 sides and 200 ends). I want an industrial type machine that will last. What are some good quality (not hobby) machines? Is AXYZ any good? Thank you so much.

-Rob

[cabnet636]

i have the camaster x3 it will do this, there is a forum for it here

www.camheads.org

www.camaster.com

jim