Light engineering forum - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: apelly
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 24, 2014, 11:13:22 pm
content: I've just noticed that the Chinese appear to be making acceptable and cheap hobby lathes and mills. It looks like I can get one of each and the associated sundries for under 4k NZD.I'd like to do some more research though. Can anyone here recommend a relevant forum? I'm also on the lookout for suppliers that will ship to NZ.

author: Andy Watson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2014, 11:23:37 pm
content: As a starting point:http://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/latest_posts.aspThere are always lots of question/issues/problems being discussed about the Chinese machines. The search option is not always cooperative but if you lurk for while, an appropriate topic will soon come up.

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2014, 11:27:40 pm
content: Might give a shout to robrenz, he's a member here, and an expert on whittling metal.

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 25, 2014, 12:11:56 am
content: http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/andhttp://madmodder.net/index.phpare two that I browse regularly.

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2014, 12:44:52 am
content: cnczone has some good stuff. It's just too hard to resist converting to cnc at some point anyway so why fight it

author: apelly
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 25, 2014, 10:07:44 pm
content: Thanks guys. Good links!

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2014, 06:00:24 pm
content: This company sells them here in the UKhttp://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/search/filter/metal-lathes-milldrills/type/any/module/shopcategory/page/1There are "customer reviews" if they are to be believed, I had a look at them a few years ago and found that there was so much back-lash on the feed screws that could not be adjusted out, on one there was nearly a full turn of backlash, I ended up buying a second hand industrial lathe for around the same money.

author: rexxar
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2014, 08:18:44 pm
content: Quote from: G7PSK on January 26, 2014, 06:00:24 pmWell, those aren't obviously faked at all

author: M. András
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2014, 09:25:49 pm
content: http://www.skyfirecnc.com/index.aspi found this lurking on the cnczone.com it looks like a pretty decent machine build if you find the thread there the maker of it actually shows the build of the machines, as being made in china its cheap for an american walletbut if i could afford it i would simply buy an industrial 5 axis machine with all of its functionality rather then trying to do things with a small hobby usage machine. i like when things working for the first push of a button and if needed there is a support for it within a few hours

author: cwalex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2014, 10:04:52 pm
content: I like the look of this kithttps://www.inventables.com/technologies/desktop-cnc-mill-kit-shapeoko-2I'm really close to pulling the trigger on this one...