Will this K2 CNC do the job? - cue making

N

natev

Registered
Basically, I'm about to buy this CNC and would like to know if there are any problems with using it for cue making. I'm aware it's not the greatest CNC and Techno is too far out of my price range. Techno also stopped making the smaller CNC's and only sell 4x8 or larger now.



KG3925HD-8-TT: KG Model 39"x25" x8" of travel
Heavy duty frame /w Ballscrew Drive System
DC servo motors with encoders
T-Slot Table top
K2MC Control Box
K2 Computer Bundle /w K2MC Motion Control Software

4TH Axis servo drive
4th axis Rotary table:
rotary table with servo motor (3700) (this is a sherline)
4 jaw chuck (3.1") (1076)
Tail stock (3702)

LATHE
SPK-HS1073 Spindle Package
HSD1073 3Hp
Delta VFD controller (VFD022B21A)
On/Off Controll
Spindle Speed setting
 
Well, there are certainly many aspects of cuemaking that you can do with a CNC router. Is this your first foray into cuemaking? It's hard to tell since you have only one post and apparently joined today.
If this is indeed going to be your only machine, consider these tasks:
How are you going to put on tips?
How are you going to put on ferrules?
How are you going to cut a wrap groove?
How are you going to bore and tap a shaft?
How are you going to bore, tap, and set a pin in the butt?

These are tasks that come to mind immediately.

HTH

Gary
 
K2 CNC made a cue specific cnc machine but I don't see it on their site anymore. Check youtube. It has a couple of videos so you can see the machine in action.
 
Hello,

Yep, I'm very new to this.

As for a handful of those above questions, I intend to get a decent lathe to do that sort or work (ferrules, tapping, threading).

I hope to use the CNC to do inlays and tapering. I'm interested in whether this machine is of a high enough quality to cut detailed work. I'm not familiar with the level of accuracy and precision that is required. Also, if there are any problems people know of. From what I have read online, some of their earlier models were problematic, but there isn't much info on the newer models. What I have found seems promising.

Any resources (books/videos) on Cue making or CNC control would be helpful. I'm expecting difficulty if all I have to go on are a few YouTube videos.

thanks
nate

Oh, with the CNC and a lathe, should I (theoretically) be able to make cues or is there anything else (big) that I should know about?
 
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natev said:
I'm not familiar with the level of accuracy and precision that is required.
Click to expand...

natev said:
Oh, with the CNC and a lathe, should I (theoretically) be able to make cues or is there anything else (big) that I should know about?
Click to expand...


With the two quotes above, I'd say you are at least 5 years away from buying a CNC to do inlays and such. Start with the lathe to do tips and ferrules, work up to building a simple cue, then more complicated cues with points, and learn what it takes to produce a quality product before you invest in machines that you are not ready for.
 
Amazing. The helpfulness of forums never ceases to amaze me.
As a last-ditch effort, is there anyone actually capable of answering any of my questions?

Discouragement and PM sales pitches need not reply.
 
natev said:
Amazing. The helpfulness of forums never ceases to amaze me.
As a last-ditch effort, is there anyone actually capable of answering any of my questions?

Discouragement and PM sales pitches need not reply.
Click to expand...

:rolleyes: Wow...... :rolleyes: That attitude's gonna get you lots of help...........
 
Dirtbmw20 said:
:rolleyes: Wow...... :rolleyes: That attitude's gonna get you lots of help...........
Click to expand...

Ok, I get it. Now, how would you suggest I get help? I asked, no one answered.

It's fine if no one knows anything about this machine. But when I get reply's simply saying I'm not worthy, that's no help either.

I don't know everything. In fact, I know very little. That's why I posted a question.
 
Nate,
You're putting the cart before the horse - you need to learn some basics first before you try the advanced techniques.
There are two interpretations of the title of this forum: Some see it as asking how others approach this or that task in the process of making a cue. Others interpret the title as "Teach me how to make a cue".
From what you've said, you don't have any experience turning wood on a lathe, so that needs to come first.
As for your K2 CNC machine, apparently no one that reads this forum has one, or they choose not to respond, or they have contacted you through PM.
A good start would be to buy a copy of Chris Hightower's book on building cues and read through it. If you are still interested in building a cue after that, then you will have a much better understanding of what all is involved. If not, you can resell the book in the "Cue Machinery and Supplies" forum for much of its original cost. Chris also has a series of instructional DVD's out as does Joe Barringer - both are good sources of information.
Chris's website is here: http://www.cuesmith.com/
Joe's website is here: http://www.cuecomponents.com/
Another good source of information is this forum itself. Back on the main page of this forum, near the top right corner, you will see a "Search" button. In that section you can search all the posts made in this forum back 10 years or so.
Hope this helps,
Gary
 
My post was not to discourage you from realizing your dream. It was meant to save you $10K. You are starting from scratch in equipment AND knowledge. Why in the world would you jump in head first? Build up your skills and machines as you go. Your questions will answer themselves.

If you choose to throw all this advice out the window, call K2 and talk to a rep about what and how you plan on doing everything and they can get the machine set up for you. That's what they do...
 
Thanks Gary, that is helpful.

I also appreciate you giving some perspective from the view point of what I'm guessing are the regulars here.

Perhaps I should have phrased my question in a different way to avoid problems.

"I am an experienced cue maker and lathe operator and I'm looking at a new machine. Does this new machine meet the quality I have come to expect from my many machines that I use everyday?"

Ha ha, sorry that last bit is meant to be a bit sarcastic, but I hope it illustrates the type of answers I was looking for.

thanks
nate
 
this forum is very helpfull

i started knowing very little, i got a lot of starting help from hightower and after i found this forum i have received an enormous amount of information from its members. the knowledge of these people is excepetional.
i believe if you go back and read this entire thread you will find that the members answered your questions.
this unit will not do everything you need in cue building.
 
Hi Ryan,

I get what you're saying. And appreciate the heads up on something I might regret. But in an effort to clear some things up, I'm not worried about jumping in head first, so no need to worry about me. I hope to do other things aside from cue making (so I'm interested in a larger work envelope). This is not intended to be a career for me, but maybe in the distant future. For now, it's literally just something to mess around with after work.

That's why I'm a little put off on all the comments not addressing the quality of the K2 CNC. I hope to make my first cue after what I'm guessing will be several years, not several days.

I intend to put the order in for this machine within a few days. I simply wanted to know if this machine is a good one to buy, for beginner or advanced users alike.

thanks
nate

I do see that the title of the post probably seems a bit uninformed/ignorant. But since this is a billiard/cue forum, I angled the question towards cue making, not simply CNC use.
 
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