Anyone seen one of these? would they be good enoguh for doing prototype panels?
/R
/R
Fireball V90 cnc
- Thread starter Rochey
- Start date
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owel
Well-known member
I would think twice about getting this Fireball. Just my opinion.
For woodworking, or plastic laminate, or PCB, it will probably do just fine.
sonicmook56
Well-known member
I was always uneasy about the "roto zip" or dremel type tools this style machine uses. I ended up with a small CNC mill. It can't do full 19" panels, but it's easy to work around by doing 1/2 the panel, then moving it to finish the other 1/2. In addition, you can make other parts requiring heavy cuts and large end mills that a router would choke out on.
so what kind of "desktop sized" solution can I buy all in one place just to cut xlr type holes in cases?
Ptownkid
Well-known member
price range? There's so many options...
Hell, a smart guy like you should be able to build their own, in fact, if you need some parts made I'll help you.
Hell, a smart guy like you should be able to build their own, in fact, if you need some parts made I'll help you.
sonicmook56
Well-known member
For me it came down to two mills.
The X2 mill (you can buy anywhere under different names, made in China)
http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_mill/Main/mini-mill.htm
or the Taig mill.(made in USA)
http://www.taigtools.com/
I spent the extra few bucks and got the Taig factory direct.
You probably already found it but if not, there is a very good forum at
www.cnczone.com
The X2 mill (you can buy anywhere under different names, made in China)
http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_mill/Main/mini-mill.htm
or the Taig mill.(made in USA)
http://www.taigtools.com/
I spent the extra few bucks and got the Taig factory direct.
You probably already found it but if not, there is a very good forum at
www.cnczone.com
dale116dot7
Well-known member
I got the Sherline one - similar to the Taig. I've been quite happy with it.
Emperor-TK
Well-known member
That Taig looks really nice.
How does it get it's instructions to cut? What's required to drive it? Does it need a separate interface and software, or can you just plug it into a PC and start milling/engraving?
-Chris
How does it get it's instructions to cut? What's required to drive it? Does it need a separate interface and software, or can you just plug it into a PC and start milling/engraving?
-Chris
sonicmook56
Well-known member
I bought my Taig as the "cnc ready" model. Only differences is instead of hand cranks there are Nema 23 mounts for stepper motors.
As for instructions, there are probably a few ways of going about it.
Basically you make a vector graphic in the CAD program of your choice. (I use qCad) Then import the .dxf file into a CAM program of your choice (I use lazy cam). The Cam program generates G code, the instructions used to drive the mill.
As for instructions, there are probably a few ways of going about it.
Basically you make a vector graphic in the CAD program of your choice. (I use qCad) Then import the .dxf file into a CAM program of your choice (I use lazy cam). The Cam program generates G code, the instructions used to drive the mill.
so, judging by http://www.taigtools.com/mmill.html
an exact copy of what you have there would cost me:
2019 converted to CNC ready with Nema 23 motor mounts, adjustable bronze leadscrew nuts, and upgraded 1/4 horse power motor . Does not include stepper motors or control system.
$1156
+ stepper motors and control system?
an exact copy of what you have there would cost me:
2019 converted to CNC ready with Nema 23 motor mounts, adjustable bronze leadscrew nuts, and upgraded 1/4 horse power motor . Does not include stepper motors or control system.
$1156
+ stepper motors and control system?
sonicmook56
Well-known member
Right.
I ended up getting the cheapest steppers I could find. A lot of people had good luck with 276oz units, so that's what I got.
http://web1.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Motion_Control/Stepper_Systems/Motors_-z-_Cables/STP-MTR-23079
You need someway to run the stepper motors so I bought this inexpensive driver
http://www.xylotex.com/
You can buy a whole setup from these guys I just bought the PCB and built my own enclosure and power supply
You need software to run the G code. A very popular solution is Mach 3 under windows XP. I also use there CAM software.
http://www.machsupport.com/
Or go with the free Linux distribution.
http://www.linuxcnc.org/
After you get the machine talking to your computer your going to need tooling. I get end mills, drill bits, hold down solutions and other random crap from these guy's
use-enco.com
Don't forget collets to hold the tool in the spindle.
I started to practice using old 2x4 blocks that were lying around in the shop. It's cheaper than real aluminum and machinable wax.
Oh, there is this guy on eBAy who makes the taig ready to go CNC out the door.
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38.l1313&_nkw=taig&_sacat=See-All-Categories
Be careful. This gets expensive fast. Next your going to want a lathe, then a band saw, then a press, then an air compressor .......................................................................
I ended up getting the cheapest steppers I could find. A lot of people had good luck with 276oz units, so that's what I got.
http://web1.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Motion_Control/Stepper_Systems/Motors_-z-_Cables/STP-MTR-23079
You need someway to run the stepper motors so I bought this inexpensive driver
http://www.xylotex.com/
You can buy a whole setup from these guys I just bought the PCB and built my own enclosure and power supply
You need software to run the G code. A very popular solution is Mach 3 under windows XP. I also use there CAM software.
http://www.machsupport.com/
Or go with the free Linux distribution.
http://www.linuxcnc.org/
After you get the machine talking to your computer your going to need tooling. I get end mills, drill bits, hold down solutions and other random crap from these guy's
use-enco.com
Don't forget collets to hold the tool in the spindle.
I started to practice using old 2x4 blocks that were lying around in the shop. It's cheaper than real aluminum and machinable wax.
Oh, there is this guy on eBAy who makes the taig ready to go CNC out the door.
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38.l1313&_nkw=taig&_sacat=See-All-Categories
Be careful. This gets expensive fast. Next your going to want a lathe, then a band saw, then a press, then an air compressor .......................................................................
oh sweet jesus... the turnkey systems are $4K!
not quite there... but want to be
not quite there... but want to be
Ptownkid
Well-known member
and don't forget that most of these recommendation have less than a front panel worth of travel...
owel
Well-known member
First of all, figure out the maximum size of the piece you'd probably want to work with and your intended use... and how much tolerance/accuracy you can live with. (If you're going to use this to mill XLR holes, does your XLR, pot and switch holes need 0.0001" accuracy and are you willing to spend the extra $$$$ for that accuracy?)
It's a big investment $$$. So get the one you really need.
>X = 9.5", Y = 5.5", Z = 6.0"
I looked at the Taig and almost bought one... I was in contact with Nick Carter... almost pulled the trigger to buy one. I'm sure it's a nice, well-built machine... but the small X travel kept bugging me, that I just couldn't live with it.
I want one where I can lay down a 19" panel and just let it rip and walk away. I don't want the do one half, wait, and slide the piece and do the other half.
I also do engraving of acrylic, wood and other materials... just for fun. So being able to put a big piece on the table is nice.
Personally, I say keep looking if you want to be able to do 19" wide panels in one pass.
Eventually, I found a ready made DIY CNC on eBay... big size, big travel, (12" x 21" x 4" ), NOT made of MDF... made of 80/20 aluminum, all thick aluminum construction. Only the bed is MDF wood... (and even that, I'm going to replace it with 80/20 flat aluminum pieces). Cost: $800+ (and includes the motor controller, and NEMA motors, and rotozip mount)
Totally true. Don't forget cost of software, bits and other little tools.
It's a big investment $$$. So get the one you really need.
>X = 9.5", Y = 5.5", Z = 6.0"
I looked at the Taig and almost bought one... I was in contact with Nick Carter... almost pulled the trigger to buy one. I'm sure it's a nice, well-built machine... but the small X travel kept bugging me, that I just couldn't live with it.
I want one where I can lay down a 19" panel and just let it rip and walk away. I don't want the do one half, wait, and slide the piece and do the other half.
I also do engraving of acrylic, wood and other materials... just for fun. So being able to put a big piece on the table is nice.
Personally, I say keep looking if you want to be able to do 19" wide panels in one pass.
Eventually, I found a ready made DIY CNC on eBay... big size, big travel, (12" x 21" x 4" ), NOT made of MDF... made of 80/20 aluminum, all thick aluminum construction. Only the bed is MDF wood... (and even that, I'm going to replace it with 80/20 flat aluminum pieces). Cost: $800+ (and includes the motor controller, and NEMA motors, and rotozip mount)
Totally true. Don't forget cost of software, bits and other little tools.
babyhead
Well-known member
BradAvenson
Well-known member
[quote author="Rochey"]oh sweet jesus... the turnkey systems are $4K!
not quite there... but want to be[/quote]
You could hire a machine shop to make parts for you. Comes with the machines and a guy to run them. Look around for someone who will take your jobs to fill in around bigger ones.
not quite there... but want to be
[/quote]You could hire a machine shop to make parts for you. Comes with the machines and a guy to run them. Look around for someone who will take your jobs to fill in around bigger ones.
sonicmook56
Well-known member
[quote author="Rochey"]oh sweet jesus... the turnkey systems are $4K!
not quite there... but want to be[/quote]
Not for a Taig. This one is pretty "turn key"
http://cgi.ebay.com/Taig-cnc-mill-milling-machine-engraver-wood-router_W0QQitemZ150296817935QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116
I'm sure you can get an old computer for free that will run Linux CNC "EMC2"
You could spend another $300 in "stuff" like tools.
Seems really expensive for what it is.
I almost pulled the trigger on a DIY ebay offering. It was around $800 (maybe same guy?) He would make it any size you wanted. Rotozip/dremel spindle turned me off on the machine..
not quite there... but want to be
[/quote]Not for a Taig. This one is pretty "turn key"
http://cgi.ebay.com/Taig-cnc-mill-milling-machine-engraver-wood-router_W0QQitemZ150296817935QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116
I'm sure you can get an old computer for free that will run Linux CNC "EMC2"
You could spend another $300 in "stuff" like tools.
Seems really expensive for what it is.
I almost pulled the trigger on a DIY ebay offering. It was around $800 (maybe same guy?) He would make it any size you wanted. Rotozip/dremel spindle turned me off on the machine..
sonicmook56
Well-known member
[quote author="BradAvenson"]
You could hire a machine shop to make parts for you. Comes with the machines and a guy to run them. Look around for someone who will take your jobs to fill in around bigger ones.[/quote]
But then when your switch hole is 0.005" off to the left you need to do it all over again. :grin:
I really like DIY milling.
You could hire a machine shop to make parts for you. Comes with the machines and a guy to run them. Look around for someone who will take your jobs to fill in around bigger ones.[/quote]
But then when your switch hole is 0.005" off to the left you need to do it all over again. :grin:
I really like DIY milling.
Ptownkid
Well-known member
yeah, that widgitmaster is too expensive for what it is...
[quote author="BradAvenson"]
You could hire a machine shop to make parts for you. Comes with the machines and a guy to run them. Look around for someone who will take your jobs to fill in around bigger ones.[/quote]
I'm really struggling to find a place that can do that stuff for me in Dallas. I know it sounds silly - is it a case of picking up the yellow pages and looking for "metalwork"?
Or looking for Powdercoat, Metalwork, Metal Milling near my zip code?
Cheers
R
You could hire a machine shop to make parts for you. Comes with the machines and a guy to run them. Look around for someone who will take your jobs to fill in around bigger ones.[/quote]
I'm really struggling to find a place that can do that stuff for me in Dallas. I know it sounds silly - is it a case of picking up the yellow pages and looking for "metalwork"?
Or looking for Powdercoat, Metalwork, Metal Milling near my zip code?
Cheers
R
