routers

[TREV]

hello,

a question for the wood workers out there.

im looking for a few sugestions on brands.

1)needs to have 4'x8' cut area

2)z clearance should be between 5 and 6 inches

3)preferably some sort of fanuc control

4)vacuum table

5)preferably linear guides

6)stepper motor

7)AFORDABLE for a hobbiest

any feedback greatly appreciated,

thanks trevor

[dgriffiths]

We run exclusively Thermwood routers at our facility, but I have been researching other routers for some time now. MultiCAM based out of Dallas, TX looks like they offer a reasonable low end 3 axis router. The one I looked at was 65K-70K. The controller looks a little suspect though. Also do not know about rigidity? They have their own software package as well??? Beyond that Thermwood and Quintax would be my suggestion. Haas is also offering a line of routers now. However I have not read or seen anything on them yet. HTH.

[Leandro]

We have a Motionmaster Router. (Vista,CA) But we have got a lot of trouble.

I think Motionmaster is still broken.

[Todd Tracey from Fastech]

You might look at Techno-Isel. www.technocnc.com

[TREV]

thanks for the replies,

i had been looking at motionmaster, so thanks for the heads up ,leandro.

 

- dgriffiths

_________________________________________________

qoute:looks like they offer a reasonable low end 3 axis router. The one I looked at was 65K-70K. The controller looks a little suspect

________________________________________________

thats not quite affordable for a hobbiiest but thanks for the info

thanks ,trevor

[Trevor Bailey]

If you want something that reasonable, you will need to buy used. Even for a hobbiest, dont buy too cheap. The money you will put back into it will outway what you should have paid for a good router.

 

Just a thought.

[Bob_Looney]

we have an old multicam. ceramic spindle is weak. whole machine is weak. I used to be an "apps" guy for the local Komo dealer. they are top notch but you'll spend 100k plus. I think "cnc router" and "hobbiest" do NOT go hand in hand.

[Westgate Hardwoods]

Trev,

 

We bought a Router from a small company in western PA called CNCAutomotion. The router is a very stoutly built machine with fixed gantry. They will also do custom designs. Unfortunately they use Centroid controllers (or at least they did when we got ours 5 years ago.) Since you're so close, you could probably visit their factory in Warren, PA. Tell Ted and Jeff I sent you. Their website is: http://www.cncmotion.com/

[Tom Dorgan from American Precision]

Trev,

Our former tech has a brand new 5x10 gantry that we built as a prototype. It has a xxxxor 8050 control which we don't use any more. He just made it into an automatic 6 position toolchanger model. Right now it has a smooth phenolic table but can be machined for vacuum. I don't know what he is asking but it is a new machine. Email me and I will get some specifics on it from him.

[Mike Annetts]

We use a shopbot 4 x 8 router at the school where I teach and we have been extremely happy with it. for a hobbiest I think it would be ideal. We paid 13000.00 Canadian 4 yrs ago and have nothing but good luck with it. granted it won't compete with a 100,000.00 machine but it will do some impressive stuff. Check it out at shopbottools.com and let me know what you think. I'm just waiting for some replies on this one.

 

Mike

[ERIC14779]

Trev,

I think some of the guys in here do not realize that you are PERSONALY looking at purchasing a 3 axis router....

 

This is not for use at your employers Right ??? YOU are going to buy it ?? Right ?

 

then if the above is true.. the Technos, Shop-bot ect. are a good choice. although try to see and touch before you buy some models are really flimsy.

[TREV]

quote:

__________________________________________________

I think "cnc router" and "hobbiest" do NOT go hand in hand.

__________________________________________________

 

i am looking in the 15000 dollar range.there are quite a few out there in that price range ,just looking for feed back.

thanks for all the replies.

 

i do know a few car hobbiest that spend 5 times that on a car restore project,i just wanted to try and get across that i am not a big or even fulltime wood worker.

tommy ill be sending you mail,thanks

thanks,

trevor

[Nathan G. Baldwin]

we have a MultiCam here at Eastech, which I have used from its arrival back in december. It's a full sized moving Gantry machine. (MG5000) I haven't had any trouble out of it, and the control is easy to operate and learn.

 

We sell MultiCam for Kentucky and Indiana, but I'm not in sales. I do have to use and fix these machines, though.

While I cannot attest to the durability and qualities of other machines, I can suggest that you should at least have someone show you one. I like them a great deal.

[TREV]

eric,

you are correct it is not for my place of employment it is for me personally .

trevor

[heeler]

Quote

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We have a Motionmaster Router. (Vista,CA) But we have got a lot of trouble.

I think Motionmaster is still broken.

------------------------------------------------

 

We have 4 Motionmaster Routers. They all use a xxxxor control and I wouldn't say we have to many problems with them.

 

JM2C

 

Glenn