Something new, something different!

[Vinny]

Been busy laserin and makin and stuff and decided that there were just a few things a laser can't really do.  So I figured it was time to up my game just a bit.  This just showed up a couple days ago and about all I've had time to do with it is put it together and do some break in tests.  I haven't done any cutting yet.

Here it is!



It's a 400x400 mm VEVOR CNC.  It's similar to the 4040 FoxAlien but from the videos I've seen on the FA, this one is better built.  It's extruded but has 2060 for the X gantry whereas the FA has 2040.  Someone said the FA has plastic or nylon parts that hold the spindle, this one has all solid aluminum.  This one also went together perfectly square.  It was also less than half the price!  At this time it's around $342.

That thing in front of the spindle is the dust shoe with a homebrew adapter to a 2 1/2" hose.  I picked up a 2HP Jet dust collector a few months back from FB Marketplace for around $40.  All I can really say about it is that it sucks.  Quite literally!

More to come as I get to know it a bit better, make a better base for it, a spoilboard and learn more software.

[rubes]

I never bothered with a dust collector, and went straight to a full enclosure for my shapeoko.
I always thought a dust shoe would get in the way of some of the more "3D" parts. AND if I couldn't capture ALL the chips, getting just some wasn't going to cut it for me.
I'm guessing you'll be doing mostly engraving and not "machining" per se though?
Have fun with it!! I can sit and watch these darn CNC things all day.
If the controller has a "probe" input, get one of these doo hickies:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B3XMFDX5/?co...dp_it&th=1

[Vinny]

Yep, I'll mostly be doing engraving with it, so the shoe should be ok. The controller has a probe input and it came with a Z probe kit, but I like the one you linked. It's now on my shopping list! Thanks!

[rubes]

just dont forget to plug it in!!! The FIRST crash, within minutes of opening the box, just bent the probe...the SECOND crash totally destroyed it.
I found this wireless one that looks to be about that same size, but the $325 is gonna take some convincing for me.
In the mean time, this one is permanently connected and stays inside the enclosure. So when I install it, I cant forget to plug it in.

Hopefully your software can use the X & Y probing. I eventually ended up getting rid of the shapeoko controller and software and went to MACH4, with an ethernet smooth stepper controller.

oh, one other thing...instead of rezeroing Z each time I change a tool...I started putting an aluminum spacer behind the tool so it bottoms out in the spindle bore, then I set up a tool table. So I only have to measure the tool offset once and enter into the tool table. Each tool has its own dedicated spacer in case the lengths very even by a few .001.

[Vinny]

Good idea on the spacers for Z. I'm using gSender which does all 3 axis and runs on linux. I haven't decided on which design software, prolly for now I'll use LightBurn for the design, MillMage should be out later this year.