New Align-Rite shaft machine
- Thread starter Sheldon
- Start date
Why is this thread being hijacked by other equipment makers?
I dunno but I think it'd be proper to start your own thread and try not to desparage the Align-Rite/Bob's machine.
Bob and Align-Rite did not badmouth anyone's machine.
I dunno but I think it'd be proper to start your own thread and try not to desparage the Align-Rite/Bob's machine.
Bob and Align-Rite did not badmouth anyone's machine.
pdrexler said:
Hey Paul...
Yes, the guy who made our machine really knew what he was doing and spared no expense. It's a real workhorse and does a great job for us.
And to the baby kangaroo out there, this machine is for our own use and we do not manufacture nor do we sell them. We were just sharing information.
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Looks like Unique Centers and Controller? Sorry JoeyCueComponents said:
Actually I think the design is Intriguing, from what you can see in the pictures. Looks like the Head of the machine is counterbalanced due to the weight of the unit being moved up and down. I am not sure how big the market will be for this type of machine, maybe good for someone selling shaft wood. Over all cool idea though, and hats off I believe to Madison Bob for the help in design.JoeyInCali said:Why is this thread being hijacked by other equipment makers?
I dunno but I think it'd be proper to start your own thread and try not to desparage the Align-Rite/Bob's machine.
Bob and Align-Rite did not badmouth anyone's machine.
Sheldon said:
You could be right. That Techno stuff is very expensive imo. They do however make it quite easy for folks to make custom CNC equipment like Joe's.
To the baby kangaroos (wtf?) out there, just look at http://www.techno-isel.com/ ... no need to bother Joe (collective sigh). But do look at the Align-Right, I see no issues with it's design. In fact their point about the floorspace is right on ... I've built machines in the same orientation for the same reason, and it is a darned fine idea that benefits small shops.
For those who want credentials, I am just an engineer who builds his own machines (but not cuemaking machines).
Dave
PS Check out the CNC Router Testimonial page, there is testimonial from a fellow well known to this community
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Sheldon said:
Hello once again to all…
"The Align-Rite looks better"!!!! Are we here to win a good looks contest or are we talking about performance, price and durability?
As far as doing twice the work, I beg to differ in one aspect which you may or may not be aware of. The Align-Rite can only do four (4) shaft squares at a time; same as our machine. And, I am willing to wager that our machine can do the 4 in one smooth pass where the AlignRite cannot. It will probably take the AlignRite several passes to go from square to round.
Granted, the AlignRite can do 8 shafts once they are doweled but I do not know the speed rate. I do know the speed rate of our machine and it's fast due to the power of the routers being able to plow through just about anything since they are 1.25 hp each. There is no bogging down. And, as far as tolerances, nothing is better suited than a Techno table. All the components are dialed in for utmost accuracy. In fact, even the blades are to high tolerances.
QUOTE –
“Tolerances might actually be tighter, since you don’t have 4 separate cutters”….
Eight shafts all lined up perfectly from end to end, in my opinion, is virtually impossible. If the cutter blade is not perfectly in line with each individual shaft, then you'll have 8 different shaft sizes. So, you would need all 8 shafts to be in perfect alignment with each other and then have the blade in perfect alignment to those 8 shafts for the machine to cut every shaft the same size. Sounds like a Herculean task to me. If the angle of the blade is off .001" on one end, then every shaft will be a different size. And, that's given that you can do it to a thousandth. Furthermore, getting a planner blade lined up to be within .001 from side to side over a 12" width is virtually impossible. Additionally, this is a commercially available planer head assembly where the manufacturer never dreamed of CNC type application. Is the planer blade even precision ground? And, that opens up even more questions.
Also, does the AlignRite have precision ball screws with true anti-backlash nut assemblies? Does it have true precision ground linear rails? Maybe they're there but I don't see them. Does the AlignRite have either of these? Does it have rigid anti-backlash couplings between the motors and lead screws? I can go on and on. The techno has all these features so let’s not talk about accuracy or tighter tolerances.
Additionally, our fixture plate that houses the assembly is 1" Blanchard ground aluminum. A number of the individual components were originally obtained from Unique Products, however, the assembly and locating of those components was done on a multiple axis Mori Seki machining center. Translated - all the components were precision located and mounted on the Blanchard ground aluminum plate. All that is accuracy.
Furthermore, by having four individual cutters, blade replacement becomes much easier and more efficient not to mention less costly. If one area of the planer blade ‘nicks’, one has to change the entire blade whereas we only change a single blade. And, each cutter can be dialed in, to produce the same cut on each individual shaft.
I can go into the rationale for high speed, small diameter cutters but that conversation may be better served in another thread.
We've talked to the good people at AlignRite on numerous occasions and they are very helpful. We currently own an AlignRite CNC machine for doing inlays and we're very pleased with the results and quality it produces. This new shaft machine has us wondering and it's still new so perhaps all these questions and capabilities will be answered and addressed in the weeks ahead. Like many of you, we have been awaiting the release of this new machine but after seeing the actual machine and its design, it's not something we think is conducive to our production needs.
I think we’re done with this thread as we’re getting caught up more than we initially wanted to. Thank you.
CueComponents said:
Perhaps you skipped over the part that mentioned it was cheaper, takes up less space, and has a dust collection system? I notice you did not address any of those points. Shall we assume they are valid? I don't think anyone else took the "looks better" comment literally, as you seem to have.
That said, I would love to have either system.
Or both! 
Who Knows Do You???
LOOK EVERYTIME I TALK WITH YOU YOU SEEM TO HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS. But you know when herman rainbow put together his first cue hell he just hoped it held together for a year but look man there still out there hitting balls and you know what his buddy balabuska probally felt the same way they were in new unventured areas but if they have,nt tryed and suceeded what would you be selling know answers to everybodys problems sounds like it are maybe just help them to create one problem then sell them the solution what do you think?? well quess what this is my way of building a 8 shaft machine now either its has good a a hoz. are as durable who knows but it,s put together with the best quilty parts made by a company that knows cnc hands down and it,s now out there for everybody to try then we will see what happens this may are may not bring us all in to a new way of insuring striaghter shafts butts and so on faster service and more room in our shops and better air to breath but quess what its here to face the challange so quit crying about is it better are faster are looks better than one machine are the other thats the thing about people and machines they all do certain things better than others if every pool player played a great jump shot we would all be playing jump pool. so go buy one then come back and tell us what you found out and you know what you might like what it does better than yours are maybe the next guy it might be better for him who knows thats why theres all us cue builders cause not everybody likes the hit of just one type of cue but if you don,t hit with all of them you might be missing out on the cue thats perfect for you, and can make you a pro at your level of play. this is not a put down run down are sales pitch its just my thoughts on the subject and keep replying we love the advertisement good are bad wheither we sale one are a 100 we just want everybody to know theres newer things coming to market that will bring us all to higher levels maybe it,s kinda like your long lasting battle over cnc verses pantograph who knows one might be better for you than the other it may bring out your area of spiecal talents but that does,nt mean one are the other does not have it,s place in our feilds of workmanship. THANKS MADISON BOB
CueComponents said:
LOOK EVERYTIME I TALK WITH YOU YOU SEEM TO HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS. But you know when herman rainbow put together his first cue hell he just hoped it held together for a year but look man there still out there hitting balls and you know what his buddy balabuska probally felt the same way they were in new unventured areas but if they have,nt tryed and suceeded what would you be selling know answers to everybodys problems sounds like it are maybe just help them to create one problem then sell them the solution what do you think?? well quess what this is my way of building a 8 shaft machine now either its has good a a hoz. are as durable who knows but it,s put together with the best quilty parts made by a company that knows cnc hands down and it,s now out there for everybody to try then we will see what happens this may are may not bring us all in to a new way of insuring striaghter shafts butts and so on faster service and more room in our shops and better air to breath but quess what its here to face the challange so quit crying about is it better are faster are looks better than one machine are the other thats the thing about people and machines they all do certain things better than others if every pool player played a great jump shot we would all be playing jump pool. so go buy one then come back and tell us what you found out and you know what you might like what it does better than yours are maybe the next guy it might be better for him who knows thats why theres all us cue builders cause not everybody likes the hit of just one type of cue but if you don,t hit with all of them you might be missing out on the cue thats perfect for you, and can make you a pro at your level of play. this is not a put down run down are sales pitch its just my thoughts on the subject and keep replying we love the advertisement good are bad wheither we sale one are a 100 we just want everybody to know theres newer things coming to market that will bring us all to higher levels maybe it,s kinda like your long lasting battle over cnc verses pantograph who knows one might be better for you than the other it may bring out your area of spiecal talents but that does,nt mean one are the other does not have it,s place in our feilds of workmanship. THANKS MADISON BOB
Got to know the man!
To all with concerns,
I have known Bob for quite some time. And he is definatly my mentor and the man I look up to when it comes to cue building.
As for the comments. The option is simple. Bob has and always will have the most passion I have ever seen , first hand, when it comes to cue building OR pool itself.
The man is always there for questions to be answered and unlike others I have dealt with , is not afraid to help you and share his opinion.
With that out of the way , the man worked very hard on this design as I seen it on the rough draft when he was racking his brain trying to work the details out page after page.
My opinion may not matter to some as we are new to you guys , but this man to me is like a father. The machine is every cuemakers dream with the work it does , the time it saves , and the space it creates with it's compact but durable design.
Now it may not be a hundred bucks , but I know of several other well named guys that have machines for a heck of a lot more money that are huge and won't due the work of Bob's machine and they paid top notch dollars for it and the makers of that machine are praised and not knocked for the design.
So not just for this machine or idea but all that post here but get no pat on the back. It may not be a machine you want whether it be preference or affordability , but I think it's a darn nice machine built by a good reputable company , by a guy with a heck of an idea that thought it may make our lives easier.
Like I stated , got to know the man!
Bob did not do this to get rich , he built this for all of us to have one more option in our building and for the flat out passion for the game of pool. The more players playing the game , the more cue makers like Bob , myself , and all the other gentleman that build custom cues can stay busier and feed they families. This is our job!
So Bob , hats off to you from me for a machine that I think is awesome and good luck with your other ideas I know you are hammering out to help us all.
Kudos to the Griffins and all others that build out of the love of the game and the pride it takes to build those beautiful cues!
Thanx,
J&D CUSTOMS
To all with concerns,
I have known Bob for quite some time. And he is definatly my mentor and the man I look up to when it comes to cue building.
As for the comments. The option is simple. Bob has and always will have the most passion I have ever seen , first hand, when it comes to cue building OR pool itself.
The man is always there for questions to be answered and unlike others I have dealt with , is not afraid to help you and share his opinion.
With that out of the way , the man worked very hard on this design as I seen it on the rough draft when he was racking his brain trying to work the details out page after page.
My opinion may not matter to some as we are new to you guys , but this man to me is like a father. The machine is every cuemakers dream with the work it does , the time it saves , and the space it creates with it's compact but durable design.
Now it may not be a hundred bucks , but I know of several other well named guys that have machines for a heck of a lot more money that are huge and won't due the work of Bob's machine and they paid top notch dollars for it and the makers of that machine are praised and not knocked for the design.
So not just for this machine or idea but all that post here but get no pat on the back. It may not be a machine you want whether it be preference or affordability , but I think it's a darn nice machine built by a good reputable company , by a guy with a heck of an idea that thought it may make our lives easier.
Like I stated , got to know the man!
Bob did not do this to get rich , he built this for all of us to have one more option in our building and for the flat out passion for the game of pool. The more players playing the game , the more cue makers like Bob , myself , and all the other gentleman that build custom cues can stay busier and feed they families. This is our job!
So Bob , hats off to you from me for a machine that I think is awesome and good luck with your other ideas I know you are hammering out to help us all.
Kudos to the Griffins and all others that build out of the love of the game and the pride it takes to build those beautiful cues!
Thanx,
J&D CUSTOMS