Why no South African posts?

[fransfourie]

@ Draco

Heya m8. Welcome to the S.A thread. Where are you from ?
It's alot of fUn building these machines & you learn alot along the way.

For importing of parts, i bought all my stuff via e-bay. I havent payed tax/levies yet on any part ive imported. Just ask them to send as low value items / samples. also pay the extra shipping costs for fedex, aramex, dhl etc. alot faster lol.
Im still waiting for some of my parts 2 get here. if you get taxed, as far as i know it is 10% of the value + 14% tax ontop of that. So...for example you bought an item of 100$...add 10% on that + 14% tax = $125. On cars & things like that its 65% of value xD.

Well hope this info helps. ask away if you got qstions

Cheerz

[gking]

Hi
I am not building CNC but I have bought a Colchester Chip Master lathe. I have stripped the components and am about to paint. Can anyone advise on a locally available paint that will be very resistant to synthetic machining coolants? Also which primer to use?

[rockhopper300]

@ Lord Draco
Hello there.
Before you start importing, consider the SA suppliers. Not that I am punting them, but I bought the parts for a four axis system from Greg @ CNC direct. After the parts were assembled it took about half an hour before the system was working and calibrated etc.
It really helps to get the right stuff with the backup.
Best of luck with your project, let us know how it goes.
Cheers

[Quentinb]

Hi All,

Sorry, I have been busy... building my new machine. I have had to wait some time to get the guys to cut the parts for me, but I have them all now and have assembled most of the machine. It is currently in a moving state and need to add some small parts to secure the drive train and fire this beast up!

I'll post some pics soon!

[MDSUW]

Hi All,

I’m from Capetown, Northern suburbs, Durbanville.

I’ve been doing allot of reading about cnc plasma the past 2 months and I got a few quotes from local companies for cnc setup and honestly the prices are way out of my league, like I’ve said I’m a newbie and don’t know much about cnc but I can weld do design on Cad/Inventor. I did allot of research regarding diy cnc plasma setup and I know about CNCDirect a local supplier of diy components and electronics however for some reason I still think one can get parts cheaper when importing it yourself? Have a look at these links www.candcnc.com & www.precisionplasmallc.com & http://www.cnczone.com/forums/precision_plasma/111498-precision_plasma_llc_history.html I like these options and I think for an diy person this is a very nice setup to start off with.
I was thinking about source for an local supplier or manufacturing company that would be able to supply me with cheap parts like v-groove bearings alu rails etc anybody know who I can contact? I’m planning to design my own cnc plasma table and let all the parts be locally machined but I’m almost guaranteed that it will not be cost effective to do it that way correct me if I’m wrong. At the moment I don’t really have an budget still need to save-up but my goal is to have an table with 2.5x1.3 cutting area with Hypertherm 45/65 plasma cutter and DTHC and try to keep my budget under R50k….going to be difficult but I’m up for the challenge.

I really hope some local people can contribute and guide me in the right direction?

Local is lekker!

[JQ Laser]

Hello guys:
I kwon the wood cutting machine is very hot in South Africa, and Many friend purcahse the machine form me, usually I sold them the GSI200W and GSI280w to them, and they will use the machine with Chinese laser 300w, too. maybe sometimes the Rofine. I think It is great. but I do not like the machine with chinese laser 300w. because it is worse than GSI and Rofine! thought it is cheaper. How about your machine, what is the machine do you use, can you tell me?

Best Regards
Casper Geng
MSN: casper-geng@hotmail.com
Mobile:

[megeshg]

WOW thought i was all alone here!!

Im from Cape Town and looking into building a cheap as possible wood mill!! Well so far cheap is not the word! Looking into a 10X9 similar to the Solsylva...

Hoe have you guys found building your own machines?

[JQ Laser]

Haha, there is not the cheapest goods, what is your demands, I sold many laser cutting machien to your country.

email:casper_geng@aol.com

WOW thought i was all alone here!!

Im from Cape Town and looking into building a cheap as possible wood mill!! Well so far cheap is not the word! Looking into a 10X9 similar to the Solsylva...

Hoe have you guys found building your own machines?

[megeshg]

Yeah you would think DIY means cheaper from yeah certainly not in this case! Well cheaper than store bought but not sure by how much...

Im looking for a wood mill, 250 X 250 would be what i want but close enough is good enough... Not really interested in plasma...

[JQ Laser]

How about the laser cutting machine, Do you know this kind of machine?
I think it is a good choice for you, but what is your materials, and what the 250X250? mm or feet?
You can have a search on youtube caspergeng, I uploade many videos on it.

Best Regards
Casper Geng
Email: casper_geng@aol.com

Yeah you would think DIY means cheaper from yeah certainly not in this case! Well cheaper than store bought but not sure by how much...

Im looking for a wood mill, 250 X 250 would be what i want but close enough is good enough... Not really interested in plasma...

[fransfourie]

Hello guys...its been a little the past months.. hehe

Been a while since ive been online....had some copper theft /sigh
Anyhowz....here are some updates of my build so far.

Still need to make a new plate for my z-axis but works fine for now
z-axis & x -axis movements are accurate to 0.02mm for the moment.

Any updates on your builds ?

[megeshg]

Hello guys...its been a little the past months.. hehe

Been a while since ive been online....had some copper theft /sigh
Anyhowz....here are some updates of my build so far.

Still need to make a new plate for my z-axis but works fine for now
z-axis & x -axis movements are accurate to 0.02mm for the moment.

Any updates on your builds ?

Awesome work there frans!!! love the castings you have done! whats your raw material for that? old soda tins?

your machine build is really looking great man! may i ask what linear bearings you are using? Did you import the motors?

[fransfourie]

Thx MEgesh
Dont use soda cans as it gives of poisen gases + you get more dross then usable material. I buy alu of scrapyards for 20 bucks a kg also from old brooms, door/windows, engin blocks...etc. Gona start or rather try melting steel soon. Doing 1350c +/- atm. Need 1500. got the bearings of ebay name: sbr20 uu I think. Just search ebay ....sbr20. Cost me around 1400 for 12 bearings. Costs 400 to 650 for 1 here in Sa. Lol. Got the motors also on ebay, though if you go back in this thread, some1 responded to my qstion about rack & pinions. That place he mentions has very good prices on motors
and other related cnc parts. Got any pics on your build/design?

[megeshg]

Thx MEgesh
Dont use soda cans as it gives of poisen gases + you get more dross then usable material. I buy alu of scrapyards for 20 bucks a kg also from old brooms, door/windows, engin blocks...etc. Gona start or rather try melting steel soon. Doing 1350c +/- atm. Need 1500. got the bearings of ebay name: sbr20 uu I think. Just search ebay ....sbr20. Cost me around 1400 for 12 bearings. Costs 400 to 650 for 1 here in Sa. Lol. Got the motors also on ebay, though if you go back in this thread, some1 responded to my qstion about rack & pinions. That place he mentions has very good prices on motors
and other related cnc parts. Got any pics on your build/design?

I see you got alot of your stufff from ebay! what was the shipping charges like? Most times the shipping charges make the cost of the product similar to local costs.

May i ask what kind of furnace you using? Is it coal or gas? If you move to steel what kind of crucibal would you use. Cause for Alu they say use a steel one cause its melting temp is higher than Alu.

Thanks for the heads up on the bearings and motors, will do more checking to see what the costs are.

I havent taken a single pic to be honest, at the moment its alot of trial and error. Trying to figure what works and what doesnt and what kind of products are available to us here in SA. Im going for a fixed gantry design and using skate bearings with angle alu for the track and truck...

wil l take some pics and post up...

[fransfourie]

I see you got alot of your stufff from ebay! what was the shipping charges like? Most times the shipping charges make the cost of the product similar to local costs.

May i ask what kind of furnace you using? Is it coal or gas? If you move to steel what kind of crucibal would you use. Cause for Alu they say use a steel one cause its melting temp is higher than Alu.

Thanks for the heads up on the bearings and motors, will do more checking to see what the costs are.

I havent taken a single pic to be honest, at the moment its alot of trial and error. Trying to figure what works and what doesnt and what kind of products are available to us here in SA. Im going for a fixed gantry design and using skate bearings with angle alu for the track and truck...

wil l take some pics and post up...

Heya Megeshg
You cant even compare it to south african prices...as you get totaly ripped of here. For postage it is'nt that bad, if you dont mind waiting it takes average 2 - 4 weeks for stnd'intl postage and about 1 week for dhl...etc though you pay for it For import duties i payed R70 on 1 item and about R40 on another, rest i didnt pay a cent. Those 2 items i had 2 pickup at the post office as it was stnd intl postage, the other items was through carriers and didnt pay any import duty on them and was dropped at my front door. ) so it is worth paying that extra $$$ When you place an order just tell the person you buying of ebay to send it as a low cost item.

Concerning Smelting.
Ive build my furnace out of a old water pressure tank and lined it with about 100mm "35kpa" cement mix then lined it with a very fine layer (3 layers) of bentonite mixed with 250 mesh sand. I use used motor oil as it burns alot hotter. ill be selling these on e-bay soon for around R700 in our money. can use gas-unleaded, diesal, vegi oil or motor oil as fuel. Ill post a video when i get time. I use potjie kos pots for smelting my alu in. i do about 10kg at most in 1 go and takes me around 10 min to start the furnace(getting the temperature up) and another 15 min to smelt it. For steel ill be using a specialized crucibal, they go for around R600 bucks imported. its of an composite nature if i remember correctly. alu melting point is 750 ish and 1500 +\- for iron. You do smelting aswell ?

I can bet you now that you wont find thoses bearing cheaper anywhere else then e-bay. for the stepper motors, as i mentioned before that 1 place has decent prices if you dont wana wait 2 - 3weeks.

Upload those pics m8 trial & error pics are also good ) ask & you shall receive ^^. building these machines are Great FuN and wont trade the experience for anything.....well maybe for a few million buck's *hint, hint* lol

Anywayz nice meeting you and Welcome to the Community
Frans

[megeshg]

Heya Megeshg
You cant even compare it to south african prices...as you get totaly ripped of here. For postage it is'nt that bad, if you dont mind waiting it takes average 2 - 4 weeks for stnd'intl postage and about 1 week for dhl...etc though you pay for it For import duties i payed R70 on 1 item and about R40 on another, rest i didnt pay a cent. Those 2 items i had 2 pickup at the post office as it was stnd intl postage, the other items was through carriers and didnt pay any import duty on them and was dropped at my front door. ) so it is worth paying that extra $$$ When you place an order just tell the person you buying of ebay to send it as a low cost item.

I dont want to get into how bad industries are at ripping us a new one when it comes to specialised low volume products here in this country, then there is the lack of knowledge on some peoples part that makes you wonder how can they even think of selling the product!!

Many people have recommended E-Bay, i guess i must just take the plunge someday. Since right now im doing a desktop unit, when i move over to a full sized unit with a moving gantry then i will consider some really nifty parts from E-Bay!

Concerning Smelting.
Ive build my furnace out of a old water pressure tank and lined it with about 100mm "35kpa" cement mix then lined it with a very fine layer (3 layers) of bentonite mixed with 250 mesh sand. I use used motor oil as it burns alot hotter. ill be selling these on e-bay soon for around R700 in our money. can use gas-unleaded, diesal, vegi oil or motor oil as fuel. Ill post a video when i get time. I use potjie kos pots for smelting my alu in. i do about 10kg at most in 1 go and takes me around 10 min to start the furnace(getting the temperature up) and another 15 min to smelt it. For steel ill be using a specialized crucibal, they go for around R600 bucks imported. its of an composite nature if i remember correctly. alu melting point is 750 ish and 1500 +\- for iron. You do smelting aswell ?

Nice ideas there!!, what does the 35KPA actually mean? thats a pressure reading so how does it translate into how much temprture it can handle before going kaboom!! WOW awesome idea man!! You need to keep me in the loop when you start selling those units! if only you were in CPT i would have come by and gotten one! LOL love the potjie idea, that must work a charm! Keep me in the loop regarding your steel experiments will be very interested to hear how that goes!

Currently researching and looking at what i could do if i started the smelting route, just the issue right now is that my wife is on my back regarding this current project. And now there is a new born and time is really slim!!! Thinking of getting the CNC completed then moving into smelting and then maybe a rebuild "bigger and better"

I can bet you now that you wont find thoses bearing cheaper anywhere else then e-bay. for the stepper motors, as i mentioned before that 1 place has decent prices if you dont wana wait 2 - 3weeks.

Upload those pics m8 trial & error pics are also good ) ask & you shall receive ^^. building these machines are Great FuN and wont trade the experience for anything.....well maybe for a few million buck's *hint, hint* lol

Anywayz nice meeting you and Welcome to the Community
Frans

I need to email that guys but yeah e-bay prices are really good! Will def upload some pics! advice is always appreciated!!

Yeah man, nice meeting an active SA memeber on here! keep in touch if not on the forum then you can certainly mail me!

megeshg at gmail dot com

[fransfourie]

Heya

Gratz on the New born Ill def. keep updates commming once i got some things sorted out.

Any one out there now of some one that wants to sell an old milling machine ? ^^ 800x240 table in a decent condition. >? Wana convert it 2 CnC also ^^ for doing small steel work. Cheap as Possible xD ....was thinking of getting the 45mm geared mill from adendorfs but really want a belt driven machine so i can pop a 4hp motor onto it with a new vfd.

Cheerz

[MrBean_pm]

Dagse Frans,
Groete vanuit Melbourne, Aus.

Hou van wat jy hier doen, tyd dat ek my pollie in rat kry en vir my 'n CNC hobby-router bou. Sal so paar tips optel.

Keep up the good work, and will post my log soon.

Have a good one, take care, and greetings back home

[fransfourie]

Middag, middag Mr.bean
Agg dankie man, dis ma heel pret om n cnc machine te bou. Watse machine is jy mee besig ?? Details
Lekker dag da.

[MrBean_pm]

Hei Frans,
Goed om van jou te hoor

Ek moet nog 'n begin maak!....maar, nie te sleg nie, more koop ek my Optimum BF46 Vario in Melbourne, sal hom omskakel na CNC, en dan begin met 'n kleinerige CNC router om PCB's te vervaardig, en vir algemene ligte werk.

Trek binne 2 weke in my eie huis in, uiteindelik, aangesien huise hier baie duurder as as in RSA. Moes 6 jaar wag, maar bouer is amper klaar. Nou gaan ek 'n lekker groot motorhuis he, en natuurlik plek vir die BF 46, en 'n CNC router - heerlik.

Sal kort-kort hier inloer, en jou gedagtes steel, hoop nie jy gee om nie.

Groete daar, praat weer later