[jm82792]

I do woodworking but I like accuracy, speed, and rigidity so I can push things hard.
I'm looking to offload smaller pieces, and so a 3040 size wise will work>
I'd toss out or not buy the electronics and spindle. In the end I have a Microcarve MV3 and A4.
I am wanting a little monster that'll just plow through wood, have GREAT acceleration, not give me backlash really, and handle dust.
For under $700 for an aluminum machine, I'm not sure if it's a wise idea or not, or which seller is worth it. In the end what's you're general opinion on these things?

[blinkenlight]

The general consensus seems to be that mechanically these are pretty sound little machines but I'm not sure how many here (if anyone at all) used one of these for sustained service (production level); they're definitely not meant to be industrial-strength 24/7 machines.

[jm82792]

I see what you mean as the shafts are chromed, the bearings are unknown, and the ballscrews lack grease nipples usually.
They seem temping but I'm into it being fast, and running it at a decent clip for a while. Not very hard, but I'll be doing detailed work, and want it faster than not.

[victorofga]

if you have plan to run all day, a spindle more suitable than a handheld router..
dustextraction also necessary

on other hand stepper motors can run all day...

[jm82792]

I have heard those brushed chinese spindles aren't very good to begin with.
I'd probably just run a .8kw or maybe .4kw vfd spindle for it.
I don't do dust control on my current machine, but I know these ones use bearings and so forth that'll get clogged if you don't keep it down.
I'm not sure what I'll do. Sometimes I think it would be nice to clone a Microcarve machine and make it a very small working size so i could make the parts on my current machiner.
But for $600 fixing it, and playing with it almost sounds like fun in a weird way.