Stepcraft Q Series quality?

Any opinions on the "new" Q series by Stepcraft?

https://www.stepcraft-systems.com/en/products/q-series

I'm from Belgium and looking to buy my first CNC router and I can't seem to find many machines here in the EU. So naturally Stepcraft is on the list.
More specifically looking for a machine that can process sheet goods (2440x1220) so in Stepcraft terms that would be the Q.408

There isn't a lot of details available online it seems. But the info that is available has me a bit worried.
- So far I've managed to gather the machine uses Sanyo Denki NEMA24 stepper motors with 3Nm of torque for all axis. Which seems a little bit aenemic for such a large machine?
- Also Stepcraft machines are very elegant because all the cabling is nicely hidden, but does that go at the expense of rigidity?
In the picture below we can see there is a channel for the cabling in the uprights of the gantry.
Stepcraft is Always advertising that "the gantry is made of 5 layers of laminated steel and extremely rigid", but how much of that rigidity remains if there's a channel for the cabling inside?
- No lineair bearings but steel bars with rollers instead. How precise and stable is this compared to linear bearings?
https://stepcraft-turkiye.com/applic...658/Q404-5.jpg
- The whole machine also seems to rest on simple rubber feet in the corners...
https://shop.stepcraft-systems.com/m...rtigsystem.jpg

On the plus side the USA branch of stepcraft offers a 2.2Kw spindel with automatic tool change, if it were also become available in Europe, that would be a very nice option to have!

Overall, the machine costs between €15000-€20000 It's a lot of money and I'm not sure / trying to figure out if it's all the machine that's it's being advertised to be, and if it's worth the asking price…
So are there any other members who'd like to share any opinions or advice?
Thank you in advance.

I haven't seen those Q series machines before. Looks like a major upgrade from their original machines. At a big cost increase.

From just looking at the pictures, I see a few major issues.

1) The linear bearings rolling on the round shafts imo will not be very rigid.

2) Their "5 layered, powder coated steel" sides appear to be wood, with thin layers of steel on the outer sides.


At almost 14,000 Euros, I think you can do better.
I'd get pricing on shipping a Avid CNC 4x8 Pro series machine.

PRO4896 4' x 8' CNC Router Kit | Avid CNC | CNC Router Parts

The machine, leg kit, Nema 34 plug and play kit, and plug and play spindle kit will be just under $11,000 US.
That's about $4000 US less than the Stepcraft, for a much more powerful, and more rigid machine. I would think that shipping should be under $1500??

This should be what you need to go with the base machine:

Leg Kit (PRO CNC) - CRP813-00 | Avid CNC | CNC Router Parts
Plug and Play NEMA 34 CNC Control System - CRP800-00E-8 | Avid CNC | CNC Router Parts
Pepperl + Fuchs Proximity Sensor Kit | Avid CNC | CNC Router Parts
2.2 kW Plug and Play Spindle / VFD System | Avid CNC | CNC Router Parts
http://www.cncrouterparts.com/trammi...unt-p-360.html

Thanks for the reply ger21.

The Avid CNC pro machine you talk about is the other machine on my "shortlist". If they offered an automatic tool change option, even if it's $4000 i'd be all in on their machine.

Here's a customer testimonial type promo video of the new Stepcraft.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsmMNIGAN7Q
I've checked their Instagram where they post a lot of video clips of the machine in action.
It does seem pretty capable at first glance and they seem to be happy with the machine and it performance...
You can also find Stepcraft's response to some of the same remaks i made here, in the comments of that video.

I watched some videos, and it has some cool features. I just don't like the linear bearings.

You could always put an ATC or quick change spindle on the Avid CNC machine.