Opinion's on George's (gio666) Kit/Machine

[Matt Clara]

Many of us have been following George's thread on the systems and kits he is developing and selling. That thread has grown quite long at over 60 pages, and while it's a very informative thread, it's hard for someone looking for confirmation of the quality of the machines to separate the wheat from the chaff, as it were. Let's hear from some of the owners of George's machines, here in a separate thread, and get their opinions on the machines they've received.

[jaydawg]

Well I got my machine almost three weeks ago. Unfortunately the y axis was not straight and there was quite a bit of hardware missing in the original shipment.

George has sent most of the missing hardware but I'm still waiting for a replacement y axis. I'm also still waiting for the motor mount as well as the correct power supply.

I’ll be posting a full review when I'm actually able to run my machine.

[bfcg]

[mike2768]

Well I guess I'll add my 2 cents to this thread LOL. I got my Machine a few month ago. The fit and finish is out standing. If there's some of you that are thinking weather to buy or not, I say buy. You won't find a better deal for a machine in this class that's for sure. George is a great guy to deal, very busy being he's a one man company for now. Again whom ever is thinking of buying, BUY it's well worth the $$$$$. Here a link to my machine I believe it's Post #119, the machine is 20" x 24".
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...=88026&page=23

[Semisentient]

I'll be able to comment in detail soon. I just got the 8" Z axis, and my upgraded 16-10 screws.

Not that I am expecting any, but I am confident that if there are any issues, George will make it right.

[bfcg]

I have ordered one and am waiting for it (30 x 36). I don't expect to be dissapointed.
I'll post here after it arrives.

[Semisentient]

I made my first cuts yesterday. It was nice to make some sawdust! So far so good.

I made a tabletop out of a 3/4" sheet of MDF with a 3/4" sheet on slotted MDF on top. Pretty good low cost solution. And if I wreck it (which I am expecting as I learn the softwares, etc) no big deal.

I still have to get some CAD and CAM software before I can really do anything.

The only problem I have had so far is not related to the machine, but the computer I am running Mach3 on. I get an intermittent chatter on one of the axis. I thought it was because I'm using a long parallel cable, but the problem persisted with my Xylotex board (I bought this years ago) plugged directly into the computer. It didn't do this before, so I have to think back to all the changes I made to the computer recently.

[bfcg]

Originally Posted by Semisentient I made my first cuts yesterday. It was nice to make some sawdust! So far so good. I made a tabletop out of a 3/4" sheet of MDF with a 3/4" sheet on slotted MDF on top. Pretty good low cost solution. And if I wreck it (which I am expecting as I learn the softwares, etc) no big deal. I still have to get some CAD and CAM software before I can really do anything. The only problem I have had so far is not related to the machine, but the computer I am running Mach3 on. I get an intermittent chatter on one of the axis. I thought it was because I'm using a long parallel cable, but the problem persisted with my Xylotex board (I bought this years ago) plugged directly into the computer. It didn't do this before, so I have to think back to all the changes I made to the computer recently.

You mention the Xylotex driver almost apologetically. Now I'm sure it did not go bad just sitting in a box. Is it because it is considered a sub-standard board?
I only ask this because I also have a xylotex board and I hope it will suffice as I have not used mine yet either.
I will be buying a BOB from cnc4pc with opto isolators.

[Semisentient]

Originally Posted by bfcg You mention the Xylotex driver almost apologetically. Now I'm sure it did not go bad just sitting in a box. Is it because it is considered a sub-standard board? I only ask this because I also have a xylotex board and I hope it will suffice as I have not used mine yet either. I will be buying a BOB from cnc4pc with opto isolators.

I don't believe the Xylotex board is substandard. The only reservation I have is that it is an all-in-one board, and the potential to blow the whole thing. I just mentioned it was a Xylotex board so people didn't think I was having a problem with something George supplied. Anyways, I think the board is fine, but that my computer is acting up.

I will know more about how well the Xylotex board works in the upcoming weeks as I play with my machine.

[rowbare]

Originally Posted by bfcg You mention the Xylotex driver almost apologetically. Now I'm sure it did not go bad just sitting in a box. Is it because it is considered a sub-standard board? I only ask this because I also have a xylotex board and I hope it will suffice as I have not used mine yet either. I will be buying a BOB from cnc4pc with opto isolators.

The Xylotex board has its limitations -- current and voltage limits, mid-band resonance issues -- but is an ok board. It has been around quite a while and its affordability certainly helped bring a lot of people into the cnc hobby.

Its best years however are behind it and many of the people who would have used a Xylotex in the past are now opting for a Gecko G540 which has higher voltage and current limits, mid-band resonance compensation circuitry and comes with a built-in BOB.

bob

[bfcg]

Thanks for the insight rowbare. I like the idea of the Gecko because it is widely used and you could find plenty of support for it.
I'll look into it as an upgrade after I get my feet wet.

[xspyke]

My machine has been up and running for over a month now. I'm very happy with the accuracy and the performance. I've cut mostly aluminium, some Starboard plastic and MDF. It cuts the Al fine with light cuts and high feed rates. It cuts Starboard like butter. And MDF is not a problem as long as you have dust collection.

George has posted some videos of my machine cutting AL and the part was half a thou off. I'm happy.

I think I got the first 30 inch machine out there and I was a little ahead of the game because I had a homemade machine before this one. My learning curve was about 1.5 years ago. So all I had to do was transfer my motors and router over and recalibrate the Steps/rev in Mach 3 and I was cutting.

Some specs of my machine.

Drive= Gecko G5440
Software=Mach3,Vectric cut 2d
Pendant=Logitrol
Stepper motors= 380 oz from Novakon
Spindle= Bosch Colt trim router and router mount from K2

Overall it a great machine for the price. If you price all the pieces (ball screws, ball nuts, supported rails, 8020 profiles plus machining of ball screws, rails and profiles) individually you would be difficult to build it cheaper.