Good Package?

[RamHemiTX]

I am building a new 25"x25" cnc router table based on the Solsylva plans. I ran across this ebay deal this morning: Gecko G540 3 Nema23 Steppers 300 oz/in Mach3 Bobcad V21 | eBay

I am new to CNC and just do not know if this is a decent deal. Everything I have read indicates that Gecko is the way to go drive wise. Specifically, the G540... With the software bundled it seems to be a value. Input?

Thanks in advance,
Brent

[groswald]

If all is as described it is a great deal. I paid about the same for the CNCRouterParts NEMA 23 kit which is similar, but with no software. (I am quite pleased with it).

It seems a bit too good to be true though. The seller has a similar auction for a 4-Axis kit with a Buy-It-Now price of $445 which is a bit odd. On that other offer he makes it clear that you get Mach3 software, but not the license. No deal there since the software is free to download from Artsoft.

I don't use BobCAD, but I did look at it, and as I recall their list price was way more that the seller is asking for the whole package. I'm sure he gets a discount if he really is an authorized reseller, but I wouldn't think it would be that much.

The "home" switches are not what you want, but for what you would save that's a non-issue.

I probably would not buy this, it just doesn't "feel" right. Nevertheless, it is a great deal. The seller doesn't have too many eBay transactions recorded (166), but has a 100% rating.

Good Luck!

Randy

[RamHemiTX]

I looked at the listing for $445 and the difference seems to be that the Mach 3 is only a demo. After seeing a few comments on Bobcad. I think my interest is solely in the electronics and Mach 3. I had a conversation with the Bobcad folks and he is indeed an authorized reseller. He is packaging an old version of the software (v21) that he no doubt gets at a dirt cheap price. Seems to be a marketing tactic to me. The Bobcad fella said that the version he is offering will give you "Customer Status" which means a 50% discount on an upgrade to their latest version (v24). I understand that Bobcad is buggy, so I would probably not be using it to draw. I would just need to work out how to export my drawings from Acad/Alibre and get them into Bobcad and then generate gcode.

[Treischl]

I think BobCad is on V24 now? A good question to ask him, or better yet, the folks at BobCad is if you are going to get any support and if you will get upgrade pricing in the future. There is also a version that is called Express, whatever that is.

If you take the software out of the equation, it is not THAT great of a deal. But, if the software is up to par, it makes it attractive, if you like BobCad.

[ger21]

I've heard from numerous people, that if you hold out and/or haggle with them long enough, you can get BobCAD v24 for about $300. If you're so inclined.

It seems odd that the auctions says the CD's are included, but below that, it says "all software is delivered electronically".

[RamHemiTX]

I noticed that on the software. Here is another option:
CNCRouterParts

I like that the motors are 380oz/in instead of 300 oz.in, and are already wired up with DB9 connectors. If Lazycam works well enough I suppose I could keep using Autocad (since it is already paid for) to draw, and then use Lazycam to generate gcode and Mach3 to run it...

Thoughts?

[ger21]

If your good at AutoCAD, then my free g-code macro is easier to use than LazyCAM (imo)
AutoCAD 2 G-Code

[RamHemiTX]

Gerry,

I am not good at Autocad, but the price is right (paid for) and I figure I can learn to use it. I did run across your macro earlier and will try to work on it. Would you be willing to offer a few tips when I get into production mode?? Thank you for the hard work in creating this. I am a developer myself and I really appreciate your "gift" to the community!

Brent

[ger21]

Feel free to ask any questions you may have, and I'll show you how to use it. I use it for just about everything I do, except for V-Carving and 3D stuff.

[RamHemiTX]

Gerry,

Here is my first question. I know that I will need 1 tool change in my operation. In the manual I noticed this comment:

"G41/G42 are formatted for Mach2/3, using the P word for tool radius. This may be changed in the future to using tool #’s, as this will be needed if and when tool change ability is added."

Does this mean that it can only handle jobs that will not require a tool change? My first project is a game board where the first part of the operation will be to drill marble holes using a marble router bit. Then the shape will be cut out. Will your macro be able to handle this?

Brent

[ger21]

It can only handle one tool at a time, so what I do, is just create two g-code programs.
You can select what you want to cut with the first tool, export the g-code, then select what you want to cut with the second tool, change the filename, and export again.

[RamHemiTX]

I understand what you are saying on using two gcode files. This is where you see how much of a noob I am. Once the first program is run. How does the machine/software know where to start cutting on the second to have everything lined up?