CNC Masters Retro Kit ????

[ARguy]

Anyone have any experience with the CNC Masters Bridgeport CNC retro kit ???? I believe the web site is cncmasters.com. Also..any experience with the XYZ-Cad/Cam plus software that they offer with it ?? Thanks for any information. New to the whole CNC thing.

[nervis1]

Yes.

I retrofit a Rong fu with the CNC masters kit. I was very dissapointed with it.

The motor mounts were made in a way that lost me about 2" of y travel, I lost my manual capability, the ball screws are so-so in quality, the way the y axis screw is mounted is...hokey. You get a big pipe tap and "retap" the y axis nut to accept the ball screw mount thread. Yuck. IMHO the whole kit was real dollar store stuff.

Save your coin and do it yourself or get someone here to make your mounts, get your screws from rockford, you will end up with a much better system.

ISBN 0-941653-52-8 HSM projects 7 has a COMPLETE article on how to convert a Rong fu...high quality relaible conversion.

Sorry if this hurts to hear but thats my opinion.

[ARguy]

Nervis1-

I appreciate the reply. The retro kit I am looking at is for a full size bridgeport style mill, not the Rong Fu size mills. The quality may be the same however. Any experience with their software ?? Did you wind up sending the CNCMasters back ??

[nervis1]

Oh, I can't comment on the B'port kit. May be great for all I know. I'd get a first hand opinion before I spent the money though.

I was using flashcut, not the CNC masters system so can't comment on their software.

I do know a guy who converted a B'port and did a FINE job of it too. I'm sure he'd be willing to exchange e-mail with you and give a tip or three. He made all of his own brackets etc. It was a really nice retrofit.

Another really nice kit with a good reputation is the Route 66 retrofit, built for production.

Flashcut makes one too, so does microkinetics, theirs is a stepper system though.

Servo makes one too.....

I'd look at all of them before you lay it down on the barrel head.

[nervis1]

BTW HSM has a B'port series too, you'd have to contact them for the back issues though.