Mini-Raptor CNC machine ...

WilleeCue

WilleeCue

The Barefoot Cuemaker
Silver Member
I have received my Mini-Raptor machine from George and am very impressed with the build quality. I thought it would be much lighter but this thing is heavy duty.
Everything went together fairly simply and I am waiting on a few odds and ends to get the stepper motors and spindle installed.

I went with the 36" model thinking the 30" travel would be enough to cut shafts and taper butts but I am thinking that I should have got the longer model as the travel on this unit is 29.75"
I think I can exchange the side rails and ball screw assembly plus some cash an convert this one to the longer model.

This is not a turnkey ready to go out of the box machine ... it is just the frame and some knowledge as to what extra to buy and how to assemble it all is required.
George has been very helpful with my questions about all that and tolerant of my lack of understanding and limited knowledge.

I do recommend him and his equipment to anyone looking to get set up with a CNC machine for pool cue making.

Willee
 
Looks good ! What's the contact info to buy one ? As for the 29 inch issue ... You might be able to make your spoil board longer ... Attach your needle bearing center beyond the cutting head and then write 2 programs ... One to cut the compound taper 28 inches ... Then flip the shaft around and cut the remaining inch or so to blend it in with a straight taper ... Since your most likely tapering the first 13 inches the same anyway it should be easier and cheaper than new ballscrew and rails and probably even wiring ... Just a thought ... Good luck


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
Quality

That look very well made ......Heavy.....Great start......Thanks for the pic....Also would contact info......Ray Weeks
 
Congrats.
Going back to the road taken before? Hah!
Can't wait to see progress pics.
 
Kim Bye said:
What's the total cost to get this CNCup and running?
Click to expand...

The Mini-Raptor with a 48" base is $2000.
Add 4 axis controller, power supply, and three stepper motors ... $445.
Add a 4th axis setup from ebay ... $289.
Add cable chain and cables ... $70.
Add a router mount ... $75.

So the total so far is $2879.
I am using a computer I have and running my registered copy of Mach 3.
Will do the software set-up and configuration myself.

I think its a good deal compared to the price of the turnkey ready to go machines if you dont mind putting it all together yourself.

Willee
 
JoeyInCali said:
Congrats.
Going back to the road taken before? Hah!
Can't wait to see progress pics.
Click to expand...

Joey, I went back and forth as to getting a Unique Taper-Shaper or a CNC machine.
The Taper-Shaper costs around $3300 shipped and is built to last a lifetime.
It comes 95% set up and ready to use.
It is a great machine and well worth the cost.
I owned and used one for years so I know what it can do.

This Mini-Raptor will come in under $3000 and will do everything the Taper-Shaper can do (if programed properly) plus inlays and custom shaft tapers.
I think the extra ability is what tipped the scale toward the CNC machine.

Willee
 
WilleeCue said:
The Mini-Raptor with a 48" base is $2000.
Add 4 axis controller, power supply, and three stepper motors ... $445.
Add a 4th axis setup from ebay ... $289.
Add cable chain and cables ... $70.
Add a router mount ... $75.

So the total so far is $2879.
I am using a computer I have and running my registered copy of Mach 3.
Will do the software set-up and configuration myself.

I think its a good deal compared to the price of the turnkey ready to go machines if you dont mind putting it all together yourself.

Willee
Click to expand...

I bought mine when they were on sale about a month and a half ago. I got the 48-18 . It came with the cable chain, the up grade controller and power supply, 3 stepper motors, proximity sensors and the floor for 2250.00 plus shipping. I haven't even thought about setting it up yet as at the moment I'm running 1/2" hard copper pipes thru out my shop for air and am replacing the compressor and adding a cooler to my air system to eliminate any water in my system.

I've got 2 saw shaft machines but I'm stuck with their tapers. I'll continue using those to bring my dowels down till they are ready for the final taper then I'll just use this for the final taper. In that way I can have 10,000 different tapers if I choose.

Dick
 
Last edited:
WilleeCue said:
The Mini-Raptor with a 48" base is $2000.
Add 4 axis controller, power supply, and three stepper motors ... $445.
Add a 4th axis setup from ebay ... $289.
Add cable chain and cables ... $70.
Add a router mount ... $75.

So the total so far is $2879.
I am using a computer I have and running my registered copy of Mach 3.
Will do the software set-up and configuration myself.

I think its a good deal compared to the price of the turnkey ready to go machines if you dont mind putting it all together yourself.

Willee
Click to expand...

Thanks willee. Where do you buy a indexable headstock that fits?
How much thinkering is needed to get the CNC up and running?
 
Kim Bye said:
Thanks willee. Where do you buy a indexable headstock that fits?
How much thinkering is needed to get the CNC up and running?
Click to expand...

I will shortly have 4th axis and tail stock finished for bolting to aluminum table top .
This one was just made to try it and no outside machine for looks , it will look a lot different on production ones.

5yzyw7.jpg



2z5tyco.jpg
 
gio-XZero said:
I will shortly have 4th axis and tail stock finished for bolting to aluminum table top .
This one was just made to try it and no outside machine for looks , it will look a lot different on production ones.

5yzyw7.jpg



2z5tyco.jpg
Click to expand...

That looks really nice :) Whats the price on the tailstock kit?
Whats the learning curve like with your CNC products?

Feel free to PM me or send an email to: kimjhbye@gmail.com

Kim
 
Kim Bye said:
That looks really nice :) Whats the price on the tailstock kit?
Whats the learning curve like with your CNC products?

Feel free to PM me or send an email to: kimjhbye@gmail.com

Kim
Click to expand...

Hi Kim , the 4th axis will be around $300 to $400 . The one in photo is a little more expensive $500 because high end Japan bearings and Martin sprockets pulleys. Tailstock itself would be around $125
Learning curve would be same as any cnc machine. Always easier to learn when you have one , lots of people try to learn before getting a machine and just don't work most of the times .
Start cutting circles and squares and work your way up
 
Last edited:
Here is just a sample of Lathe. Profile rails , Ballscrew all hidden from dust. Precision made profile for strength and flatness.

Every part will be adjustable even down to headstock to put where you want. Up to 12 foot long if needed

282m4as.jpg


xby4af.jpg
 
George, you have any idea about the price range of the lathes? Going to have a large bore headstock for us cue guys?
 
Hi Donnie, trying to have around $2500 to $3000 all cnc and 2 chucks on headstock, tail stock and double spindle . Also working on gang tool turret
 
lumberman said:
Wow. I would be a buyer at that price. It would be nice if you could add a z axis milling attachment similar to this cnc/manual cue lathe from Japan. A very versatile machine but very pricey. Here is a YouTube link to it as well as a google translate link with more information.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHOfjsw3NB4
http://translate.googleusercontent....0.html&usg=ALkJrhi9K_ZaMRVbeTTusd6wG7t6MdbO6w
Click to expand...

Once it is finished the design, it will have everything that has and more
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top