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I have a mid size mill I want to retro fit, I have been looking at some of the cheaper chinese gear anyone out there have any experience with this stuff
MOBI Guru Joined: 02/12/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 819
Posted: 11:27pm 11 Feb 2014
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I have been running a 500watt OEM version that Downwind converted to up-wind style for me. It has been running for about 12 months without any hiccups and has been through some pretty strong winds.
My only complaint is that I only get about 25% of its rated capacity simply because the wind goes awol for days at a time despite where I live is wind farm territory. The mono crystalline solar wins hands down.
Bottom line is (imo) if you get chinese, then be prepared to do some serious mill upgrading (balancing, blade runout etc)Edited by MOBI 2014-02-13David M.
Downwind Guru Joined: 09/09/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2333
Posted: 12:03am 12 Feb 2014
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I think Mobi missed what the question was about, its a Milling machine to convert to CNC control, not a windmill
Pete.Sometimes it just works
MOBI Guru Joined: 02/12/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 819
Posted: 12:12am 12 Feb 2014
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Sorry, I did too!David M.
powerednut Senior Member Joined: 09/12/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 221
Posted: 11:19pm 12 Feb 2014
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My machine is a chinese made 6040 cnc. The issues I've had have been related to cables (very susecptible to electrical noise for some reason. also the x axis cable developed a break.), slipping of the motor couplings and some slight damage to the table t slots during shipping. I didn't even bother with the stock electronics - far too many people having trouble.
As an entry level machine its reasonably robust. I've used it for routing wood (lots), routing aluminium (not much) and engraving steel (not much). It handled all fine, but you need to pay attention to feed rates etc for the metal.
The guide rails are all very straight, and the bearing blocks roll smoothly on the rails. ballscrews and nuts all fine as well.
The VFD (1500W) and the spindle (800W, water cooled,er11 collet) have both been fine and were no problem to set up - i just followed the various guides people have posted online. The water pump it came with produced massess of electrical noise.
I've also bought some rails and bearings for a 3d printer I'm building, and they all seem fine too. I used Aliexpress for the source for those, as it came in the size I wanted (not standard) and cheaper than ebay.
I'd recommend to anybody reading this that they do a lot of research on the chinese mills before they buy. lots of people have had a lot more trouble than I had.
All in all, the chinese made stuff is pretty reasonable, considering the cost.
What bits were you planning on upgrading on your mill?
Bryan1 Guru Joined: 22/02/2006 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1344
Posted: 01:02am 19 Feb 2014
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With the cnc I made from scratch I ended up buying ball screws off fleabay for all 3 axis's and a new stepper for the Z axis. Using Mach3 it hums along nicely but with Kcam it won't run properly.
Now what mill do you have that want to upgrade as that in itself will dictate which way to go. As the instalation of ball screws could endup being a daunting or simple job depending on machine.
I have a full size Bridgeport mill here that oneday when expenses allow I will retrofit into a cnc as I already have some hefty steppers for it. In order to convert it to ballscrew will require some machining to seat the ball screw and bearing supports etc.
A pic of your mill will say 1,000 words and give us all an idea to point you in the right direction.
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