I bought one of these desk top 3 axis cnc routers thinking I would use it as a flat bed cutting machine to cut out the inlays that I wanted to use in pens and cues.
From the price of $499 for the machine, 3 stepper motors, a controller, an accessory kit and software, I was not expecting a lot of quality.
It took a day to tune the machine and motors in Mach3 and I was surprised that the machine had very little or no backlash.
I did need to adjust one axis for tightness but that was it.
So ... I had all my CNC programs from a few years ago and one complex inlay piece.
I cut a test pocket in some wood to see if the machine could match the accuracy of my previous cnc machine.
The pocket fit the old inlay just right.
After using the machine for a few weeks and running several old cnc programs I am truly impressed with it.
The hardware is very sturdy.
The motor is a bit slow (10,000rpm) but running at 2 ipm I can cut with .020 bits and no breakage in wood.
For $499 it is a real deal.
Dont expect much support from the seller ... take it as hardware and get help elsewhere.
I added a 4th axis drive and tailstock for $250 and a 4th axis control board for an amazing $6. all from ebay.
So I have a 4 axis cnc machine for under $850.
I use this for pens that require very small inlays but they must be top quality.
However I can see that with a bit of tinkering and some custom made jigs it could do pool cue inlays.
I know some will post telling me this is junk, that it can not cut good inlays, that the motor runs to slow, I dont know what I am talking about, and any number of other reasons it can not work.
That is just the nature of the forum.
All I can say is it works for me and for less than $850 I think I got a steal on a cnc machine that will do the job.
Here is the address to the machine I bought on ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171569510983?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
I am posting this to help others looking for a cheaper way to experience the fun of custom inlays.
If you get one of these and need help feel free to call me and I will offer what help I can based on my experience.
Willee
From the price of $499 for the machine, 3 stepper motors, a controller, an accessory kit and software, I was not expecting a lot of quality.
It took a day to tune the machine and motors in Mach3 and I was surprised that the machine had very little or no backlash.
I did need to adjust one axis for tightness but that was it.
So ... I had all my CNC programs from a few years ago and one complex inlay piece.
I cut a test pocket in some wood to see if the machine could match the accuracy of my previous cnc machine.
The pocket fit the old inlay just right.
After using the machine for a few weeks and running several old cnc programs I am truly impressed with it.
The hardware is very sturdy.
The motor is a bit slow (10,000rpm) but running at 2 ipm I can cut with .020 bits and no breakage in wood.
For $499 it is a real deal.
Dont expect much support from the seller ... take it as hardware and get help elsewhere.
I added a 4th axis drive and tailstock for $250 and a 4th axis control board for an amazing $6. all from ebay.
So I have a 4 axis cnc machine for under $850.
I use this for pens that require very small inlays but they must be top quality.
However I can see that with a bit of tinkering and some custom made jigs it could do pool cue inlays.
I know some will post telling me this is junk, that it can not cut good inlays, that the motor runs to slow, I dont know what I am talking about, and any number of other reasons it can not work.
That is just the nature of the forum.
All I can say is it works for me and for less than $850 I think I got a steal on a cnc machine that will do the job.
Here is the address to the machine I bought on ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171569510983?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
I am posting this to help others looking for a cheaper way to experience the fun of custom inlays.
If you get one of these and need help feel free to call me and I will offer what help I can based on my experience.
Willee
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