I'm planning to build a cnc kit at home for my woodworking. I hope to do things in my retirement for fun and maybe make a few bucks so I don't want a pure hobbyist machine, but let's call it an intermediate machine. I'm thinking about a 4x8 or a 4x4.
I've studied sizes, brands, China vs US retailer, software both CAD/CAM and operation, etc.
Looking for a little hlp and advice.
I've decided on a 2.2 KW and VFD spindle when I get my machine. Beyond the air-cooled or water-cooled option, I've noticed a lot of discrepancy in spindles and their uses. If you simply do a Goober search, of course Amazon comes up with about the first 50 items. On their pages, all seem to be Chinese (wording is not normal US English usage is in the description) and some say that they will not run less than some particular speed, others say good for engraving, not milling. I believe that buying on Amazon just might be a crap shoot even they all say 220 Volt, 2.2 KW. Some say 400 hz when I know that US line current is 60 HZ. Maybe that is something on the secondary of the VFD?
But, when you look at the US machine suppliers' pages versus Amazon, the cost of a spindle is 5-10 times the cost of those on Amazon. How does one decide which Chinese import at either site is worthy?
I noticed that some use air cooled, Others have liquid cooled. From what I have read, people say that air cooled spindles have fans and blow more dust around the shop. Also, some say liquid cooled are quieter, but I can certainly see if something went wrong with a liquid cooled machine, wow, what a mess especially if using antifreeze. Also liquid cooled machines might have more things that can break. And with any machine, if you use it, it will break. Would I need a radiator since I live in the Southern US where it is really hot?
Everybody has a budget so before diving off head first into mine, I want to make the best decisions that I can with the advice of you good folks who have already been there and done that.
I get verbose sometimes, but I'm at a break from my work and thought I would reach out.
Thank you!
Mike