Feedback/Recommendations on Stepcraft CNC

[mashby]

My business is considering purchasing a CNC machine for some small projects. A recommendation was made to get a STEPCRAFT 600 Do-it-yourself System, but given that none of us here have any experience with CNC I figured I'd ask you guys to see if you had any input.

For right now, our plans are to use it to cut some holes in aluminum sheets of a PC case, so our needs are rather simple. I don't expect to mill out a 60% case (although that'd be cool if I could).

Anyway, anyone have any thoughts?

[Matt3o]

oooh well... this the 1m question.

I'm not an expert by any means but last year I took myself a nice CNC router and this is what I've learned.

1) it takes really a lot of time to master. You need to learn 3d software, CAM software and CNC control software. It's really a lot of work. So be propared
2) Economy CNC (I'd say under $5000) are rather slow with metal. It takes really a lot of time to cut a hole on a 1.5mm plate, let alone carve a keyboard case. You can quite easily work wood, plastic, acrylic and machinable wax, but metal is another story
3) Take a good motor head! At least an 800W brushless motor I'd say
4) Prefer LPT or ethernet connection over USB. I know USB seems more convenient, but it is subject to interferences. Also with LPT and ethernet you can use linux

I took mine at carving-cnc.com. the x-400 with all upgrades (especially the air cooled motor). It's a fine machine with a precision of about 0.05mm. It's not super fast and has some limits but I believe it's the best you can get for the price. Consider though that they are hobby machines.

If you have any specific question, don't hesitate to ask.

Edit: to reply to your question. being a dremel-based machine, I would not recommend the stepcraft cnc.

[tp4tissue]

oooh well... this the 1m question.

I'm not an expert by any means but last year I took myself a nice CNC router and this is what I've learned.

1) it takes really a lot of time to master. You need to learn 3d software, CAM software and CNC control software. It's really a lot of work. So be propared
2) Economy CNC (I'd say under $5000) are rather slow with metal. It takes really a lot of time to cut a hole on a 1.5mm plate, let alone carve a keyboard case. You can quite easily work wood, plastic, acrylic and machinable wax, but metal is another story
3) Take a good motor head! At least an 800W brushless motor I'd say
4) Prefer LPT or ethernet connection over USB. I know USB seems more convenient, but it is subject to interferences. Also with LPT and ethernet you can use linux

I took mine at carving-cnc.com. the x-400 with all upgrades (especially the air cooled motor). It's a fine machine with a precision of about 0.05mm. It's not super fast and has some limits but I believe it's the best you can get for the price. Consider though that they are hobby machines.

If you have any specific question, don't hesitate to ask.

Edit: to reply to your question. being a dremel-based machine, I would not recommend the stepcraft cnc.

That looks exactly like the Chinese Yu-CNC machines on Ebay

Is it the same?

Does it use different hardware ?

[Matt3o]

the 4030 is what you usually find on ebay. the x400 is definitely better. but still a Chinese machine. I upgraded it a little with better steppers and shielded cabling once I got it.

The one I took is better than I hoped for the price, if only for the 20k RPM motor

[tp4tissue]

the 4030 is what you usually find on ebay. the x400 is definitely better. but still a Chinese machine. I upgraded it a little with better steppers and shielded cabling once I got it.

The one I took is better than I hoped for the price, if only for the 20k RPM motor

I keep reading that people get the "gecko" drive for this machine... which makes it "smoother"

What do you think

[Matt3o]

the x400 has an option to upgrade the drivers as well, which I did. Honestly it runs pretty smooth for my standards.

This is what I'm able to do

[mashby]

Matt3o -- as always, you're a fountain of knowledge!!!! Thank you.

Doing a keyboard case was a pipe dream, I knew that, but hearing about the length of time it takes for metal is good to know. Again, thank you.

Lots to think about.