Sable 2015 VS FireBall V90

**PunKidd** · 01-29-2009, 03:42 PM

Hello all,
I asked this question at the end of the Sable thread, but that one is getting pretty long and I don’t want to hijack the other thread so...

I'm a newbie to this CNC thing and I'm looking to get into a low cost desktop setup that I can use for rapid prototyping of PCBs and small electronics enclosures. I've come across two machines that are about the same price, but I'd like to get some input on which one is better bang for the buck.

There's the Sable 2015 for sale on eBay at 599
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=190280769054

And there's the FireBall V90 for 599
http://www.probotix.com/FireBall_v90_cnc_router_kit/

As far as I can tell it looks like the FireBall has nicer lead screws, and I read complaints about the Sable's anti backlash.

I’m planning on sourcing all my motors and drive electronics already, so I’m not worried about the lack of motors on the FireBall kit.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

**cnctester** · 02-05-2009, 12:29 AM

Personally I'd think twice about ordering a Fireball CNC as they seem to have supply problems and unable to ship in a reasonable time unless "whenever it gets there" is a reasonable time for you.

If you ask about your order it will be cancelled, and the owner LEN will call you names on the public forum because you don't understand what a favor he is doing for you be making you such a machine.

As long as LEN is around stay away or order at your own risk.

If you complain on their forum it will be removed, who knows what problems they have since they get removed.

This is my experience and hopefully helsp you decide.

**PunKidd** · 02-05-2009, 12:55 PM

Wow, that's too bad about the customer service.
Thanks for the input.

**cnctester** · 02-05-2009, 07:03 PM

Your welcome I was quite surprised myself.

You watch if they find this thread they start doing what they can to discredit it.

I still have the order receipt and everything to prove what I say.

**bitbanger** · 02-10-2009, 01:30 AM

Punkidd,

Come and speak to the thousands of satisified customers we have. Rod, er - cnctester is the only customer I have ever had to refuse a sale to. He created a big disturbance in our mailing list and my customers asked me to ban him - it wasn't me. Now he is creating trouble here.

>Len

**PunKidd** · 02-10-2009, 12:14 PM

To be perfectly honest, I'm not all the concerned with customer service as long as I can get the machine. I do appreciate the input and the warning to know what to expect, but truth is I will probably end up with the FireBall anyway when I have the funds again. I know how only the negative comments show up on the forums 20 to 1 vs. the positive ones. I'm a small business owner myself (www.uprev.com) and we do a LOT of business on forums.

**rayellam** · 02-10-2009, 03:44 PM

Hi Punkidd,
I am in the same boat as you comparing the sable and the V90. Im leaning heavily toward the V90 at the moment for the following reasons.

The support offered on their discussion group is excellent. There are many people using the V90 for PCB work and there is lots of guidance to tooling set-up’s etc. The machine itself is good for the price the only drawback is the use of MDF BUT im assured by users that this is not an issue.

The sable looks impressive BUT what are the lead screws??? Threaded bar I think, no one seems to be able to answer that. Backlash problems???? Also I followed the lengthy thread from the sable post's and every one has gone deathly quiet........me thinks maybe the people have realised what a turkey they have purchased???????? Or maybe they are busily making lots of fine trace PCB’s???????

I think I followed the thread from CNCtester on the fireball website, that is one dissatisfied customer out of many, reading between the lines he could have handled things better, I certainly would NOT have started testiculating (jumping up and down, waving your arms around and talking bollocks) as quickly as he did, **** happens I guess. So I would take what he says with a pinch of salt.

I hope there are some positive comments on the sable as it looks like a nice machine. My exwife also looked nice :-/

Best regards
Ray

**alien_X** · 02-16-2009, 09:37 AM

Just thought I would post some input..

The sable uses proper linear bearings, and supported rails on the X axis (Moving Table), And linear bearings along with unsupported rails on the other axis.
As opposed to some £2 a dozen oilite bushings which the fireballcnc utilizes.

The sable is also made from aluminium, as opposed to mdf.

It does use M10 threaded rod, although upgrading to a trapezoidal screw doesn't seem like it would be any problem at all.

The linear bearings and pillow blocks, as well as the Z axis could all be re-used in another cnc project if you decide to build one in the future. It seems to be a better machine, in my humble opinion. However the v90 doesn't seem all that bad really.

Alien

**PunKidd** · 02-16-2009, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by alien_X

Just thought I would post some input..

The sable uses proper linear bearings, and supported rails on the X axis (Moving Table), And linear bearings along with unsupported rails on the other axis.
As opposed to some £2 a dozen oilite bushings which the fireballcnc utilizes.

The sable is also made from aluminium, as opposed to mdf.

It does use M10 threaded rod, although upgrading to a trapezoidal screw doesn't seem like it would be any problem at all.

The linear bearings and pillow blocks, as well as the Z axis could all be re-used in another cnc project if you decide to build one in the future. It seems to be a better machine, in my humble opinion. However the v90 doesn't seem all that bad really.

Alien

Thanks!

**rayellam** · 02-16-2009, 01:51 PM

Hi,
I found this machine on ebay, ready to run. there is not much info on ebay but i did a lot of digging around and got more info. Ill post some pics later today for you. It looks better than the sable i think? im no expert :-)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=120372439735