Any trouble with FLA?

[adt2]

Hi -

I'm in the process of building my first machine, and I'm wondering about service from Fine Line Automation. I've seen them mentioned a bunch around here, and I know they're referenced over at CRP, too, but I'm not having much luck.

I placed an order on July 12, and as of today, other than a confirmation that my payment was received (which happened immediately after placing the order), I've not heard squat from FLA - no order confirmation, no shipping information, nada. I sent a follow-up email yesterday morning asking about status, but so far haven't heard anything back on that inquiry, either.

Just wondering if this is an aberration or par for the course.

[Treischl]

Not sure if it is par for the course or not. He is not a rip off, I did receive my parts, but it seems he has a rep for shipping when he has the time, or gets around to it, or something like that. Sort of frustrating.

[LarryE]

I have always recived my parts in a timly matter!

[adt2]

Well, I'm at a bit of a loss here. It's now been three weeks since placing (and paying for) my order with FLA, and I've yet to hear anything about shipping. I placed a second order from him about a week ago, and while the "request for payment" came pretty quick, I've yet to receive any acknowledgement on that order, either.

Nate is starting to make me nervous.

[eaglezsoar]

Nate works a full time job along with running FLA and producing all of the various kits. He is difficult to get in touch with at times, but that is because he is so busy. I personally bought a kit from Nate and I can verify that you cannot find a more honest, caring person than Nate. For those of you who are worried, there is nothing to worry about. Nate is an honorable man and has an excellent reputation from those who have dealt with him. I would recommend that you keep emailing him and he will eventually respond. The responsiveness of emails is a problem but I'm sure Nate is working on it. The wait you must undergo to receive your kits can be frustrating but the wait is
worth it. No one produces better kits with attention to detail.

Regards to all!

[adt2]

Nate may be the most honest, caring person on earth...but I wouldn't know it because I can't seem to get a response from him. Same deal with his merchandise: It might be a fantastic kit with attention to detail, but again - I wouldn't know it because I haven't received anything I ordered (or even received acknowledgement that I ordered anything, for that matter).

My opinion of FLA might change when I finally receive my materials, but until then, the only information I have to base an opinion on is the experience I've had so far - which hasn't been great. As of right this minute, I can't in good conscience recommend ordering from FLA unless you just can't find what you're looking for anywhere else.

[PortlandGTS]

I can relate to your problem, adt. I started getting serious about a CNC router about two months ago. I found FLA through this forum and really liked what I saw. I settled on the FLA-300, and sent Nate some questions. He answered the first e-mail, but I haven't gotten another reply for over three weeks.

I don't think I pestered him with questions. I sent about 4 e-mails, with maybe three questions each. Most were simple questions like delivery times, partial kit prices, etc.

Last week, I was ready to order, except I didn't have partial kit prices, so couldn't decide between a full kit or buying everything except the 8020 stuff from him. I was also getting nervous about doing business with someone who goes incommunicado for weeks at a time.

So I sent a final e-mail telling Nate that I wanted to buy a FLA-300, but first needed partial kit prices and delivery schedules. Again no response.

So yesterday, I ordered everything except the racks from other sources. I felt bad about doing this, because they are his plans, and he deserves to make something from them. However, there's no way I'm going to trust over $3000 with someone who treats customers this way.

I did order the racks from him. My fear right now is that I'll still be waiting on the racks after I've received and put everything else together.

It's a really sad situation. I couldn't find anyone else offering a kit of this quality. However, the primary customers for kits like this are newcomers like me, who are going to need more attention than Nate seems willing to provide.

[Drools]

Is there a complete assembly manual for any of the FLA kits?
step #1...
step #2...
step #3...
I can download the solidworks plans of a "CRP100-00 r2" from cncrouterparts.com, when I unzip the plans all the file names are a format of "FLA100-00". I always thought that the FLA machines were based upon these plans but sometime I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer… I did not find any links to the plans from the finelineautomation.com website.
I noticed that cncrouterparts.com will be offering kits “very soon” (link on their web site.) You might want to have a look at what Ahren is coming up with.
I ordered all of my parts to make my CRP100-00 (FLA100-00) from Ahren and I ordered the 8020 from eBay and CRS from a local steel shop.
Ahren has been fantastic to deal with , no complaints at all from me.

[adt2]

My chief complaint is about my first order. It was placed July 12th and was for a single part. As of today (August 4th) I've yet to receive confirmation of the order (other than the PayPal receipt, which I got immediately) or shipping information. I have also yet to receive any reply to the three or four queries I've sent about the order.

Since then, I've corresponded with Nate on a couple of occasions about a couple of custom-length Acme screws. He always replied in a timely manner (notice I didn't say "quickly") with answers to questions about custom parts and pricing. However, once again, after paying for the order, he's dropped off the radar as far as confirmation / shipping information.

Now, I don't mean to sound like I don't expect to receive what I paid for. I'm sure that I will eventually come home to find a box of stuff on the porch. But in today's world, even taking 24 hours to respond to a customer request about an order they've already paid for is just ridiculous and likely to put you out of business before long.

If I could find another supplier for the pre-drilled and tapped racks and the machined Acme rods, I'd probably try to cancel my order and buy somewhere else. I'm at the point where my build is being held up because I'm missing parts from FLA.

Drools - I am a technical writer by day, and I'm putting together an illustrated manual based on my own build (a 2'x8' machine based on the FLA/CNCRP plans and Solsylva's plans). I plan to post it when it's finished.

[RossMosh]

You don't need FLA's racks. Go on CNCrouterparts website and for $6.00 you can buy rack clamps. It takes away the need for the drilled racks.

If you don't have your parts, send a final email with a high priority attachment. Simply state if your parts aren't mailed out by the end of the week, you will be doing a charge back.

[adt2]

I'm not using T-slot extrusion; I don't think the rack clamps will work for my application. Thanks for the tip, though.

[eaglezsoar]

Originally Posted by Drools Is there a complete assembly manual for any of the FLA kits? step #1... step #2... step #3... I can download the solidworks plans of a "CRP100-00 r2" from cncrouterparts.com, when I unzip the plans all the file names are a format of "FLA100-00". I always thought that the FLA machines were based upon these plans but sometime I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer… I did not find any links to the plans from the finelineautomation.com website. I noticed that cncrouterparts.com will be offering kits “very soon” (link on their web site.) You might want to have a look at what Ahren is coming up with. I ordered all of my parts to make my CRP100-00 (FLA100-00) from Ahren and I ordered the 8020 from eBay and CRS from a local steel shop. Ahren has been fantastic to deal with , no complaints at all from me.

This link has the best step by step build log for the FLA-100
Scratch: [Complete] 2' x 3' Custom CNC Router from 80/20 Aluminum Extrusion - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net