Probotix

[woody53]

Originally Posted by Ron Dunn That's good to hear, Woody They didn't have the USB interface at the time I bought my machine and I haven't seen much comment about it ... what do you think? Good value?

Well, Ron, this is all new to me like I said before, but it seems like it will work fine. I talked to support at Probotix this afternoon, and they are great. I couldnt see how to set the depth of cut on a line of text I imported, and got the answer in a minute. Len had told me earlier to set the tool on the work piece where I wanted to start, and set all the axes to zero, and go from there. First time I tried it it just touched the piece. The support guy ( didnt really catch his name), showed me how to edit the G code. I set the new G code to -0.1000 on the Z axes, selected all of those codes, and it cut exactly .100 deep. So, Im happy to say TY Probotix.

[woody53]

Originally Posted by Ron Dunn I, too, have a V90 with the Probotix electronics and steppers. No complaints. I found their documentation clear and accurate, and their support was great when I had questions about how things worked.

What kind of spindle you using, Ron ?

[Ron Dunn]

Woody, I bought a Dremel 300 to use with the V90, but after burning through two of them in a short space of time I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else.

I've now bought a Proxxon LB/E ... VERY low runout and much quieter than the Dremel.

There were no commercial mounts for the Proxxon LB/E, so I made my own. If you decide to go down the same path and have VCarve Pro I'll gladly send you the files.

I've only been using the Proxxon for a couple of days, so I have nothing to say about its reliability at this stage. Keeping my fingers crossed

Ron.

[woody53]

Originally Posted by Ron Dunn Woody, I bought a Dremel 300 to use with the V90, but after burning through two of them in a short space of time I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else. I've now bought a Proxxon LB/E ... VERY low runout and much quieter than the Dremel. There were no commercial mounts for the Proxxon LB/E, so I made my own. If you decide to go down the same path and have VCarve Pro I'll gladly send you the files. I've only been using the Proxxon for a couple of days, so I have nothing to say about its reliability at this stage. Keeping my fingers crossed Ron.

Im on my second Dewalt trim router is why I asked the question, Ron. I will look at the Proxxon LB/E and see what I can find. Yes I have Vcarve Pro too. Appreciate your input.
Dave

[Ron Dunn]

Woody, one thing to beware is that the Proxxon is a LIGHT tool, and I doubt it will cut as fast or deep as the Dewalt. I have no experience of them, but if you want a trim router it seems that most guys in the V90 forum use a Bosch Colt.

As an example of "light", the Proxxon only takes 1/8" bits. I get good cutting performance with four flute bits in MDF and two flute in wood. I typically use 1mm DOC and 600-700mm/min feed rate.

[woody53]

Originally Posted by Ron Dunn Woody, one thing to beware is that the Proxxon is a LIGHT tool, and I doubt it will cut as fast or deep as the Dewalt. I have no experience of them, but if you want a trim router it seems that most guys in the V90 forum use a Bosch Colt. As an example of "light", the Proxxon only takes 1/8" bits. I get good cutting performance with four flute bits in MDF and two flute in wood. I typically use 1mm DOC and 600-700mm/min feed rate.

Yes, I looked up the Proxxon and it seemed light to me. Like I said I have a Dewalt and it worked great till the bearing locked up. So, I got another one, already have the holder, so, as money isnt that plentiful, I have what I have. [I] saw a real nice spindle online, but 1200 bucks was almost as much as my V90, so I'll pass on that. Im going to try a speed controller on the new Dewalt and see if a slower speed will extend its life. Time will tell. Have a good rest of the weekend , Ron.

[woody53]

Originally Posted by woody53 Im on my second Dewalt trim router is why I asked the question, Ron. I will look at the Proxxon LB/E and see what I can find. Yes I have Vcarve Pro too. Appreciate your input. Dave

Ron, Well I had another Dewalt burn up, and I dont overload it at all. I replaced it with the Bosch Colt VS. I also got some ER collets from Precisebits.com, because they are supposed to be very reliable, with little runout. I checked both the 1/8 and 1/4 inch collets and found they both to have less than .0006. Close enough for what I do. Now I can use both 1/8 and 1/4 shank bits, seemed logical to get both.

[Ron Dunn]

Woody, do you find any trouble with your gantry sagging forward when you add a trim router instead of a Dremel? My gantry is really easy to move - just placing your hand on it makes it move visibly - so I've avoided heavier cutting machines until now.

Interested in your experience.

[woody53]

Originally Posted by Ron Dunn Woody, do you find any trouble with your gantry sagging forward when you add a trim router instead of a Dremel? My gantry is really easy to move - just placing your hand on it makes it move visibly - so I've avoided heavier cutting machines until now. Interested in your experience.

Ron, No, I havent noticed any sagging with the trim routers on the gantry. Before I added the new Bosch Colt, I went through the whole machine and retightened all the nuts and bolts, just to put my mind at ease. I did have a couple of times when the set screws on the steeper motor shafts had come loose, and the machine quit moving, so after longs hours of cutting I check more frequently. Is a habit Im doing now. 3 hours and more of machining a lithopane, has alot of steps , so I take more care , it is a machine, and things do happen. As we all should know, Perpetual movement is physically impossible, LOL.

Dave

[tomkuo]

v90 too is my first cnc..
got my kit a couple weeks ago and parts were missing.. (tech support said they've checked everything before shipping, so likely the customs didn't place them back in the box)
finally got the missing parts box today, except only received half of what i need (2 x rail end bushings and 2 x base frame rail ends, i actually need 4 of each.)
i guess i just have to disassemble everything again and wait another week for the missing parts. this is very frustrating!

please Probotix, in the future, do include a "parts list" with your shipment so the customers can ensure everything is there before assembly.
as well, include a print version of the assembly instruction would be very helpful.

more details when i can finally assemble the thing..