Vote for your favorite ShapeOko spindle solution!

gazorp · Post by **gazorp** » Tue May 29, 2012 12:34 am

Votes for your favorite spindle solutions here. Feel free to suggest more or chime in with your choices and what you like / dislike.

Harbor Freight: You could but 5-10 of these for the price of high end solutions, but do you really want too? ( http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tool ... tools.html ).

Dremel 4000: $80. Standard indeed. (http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-4000-2-30- ... 861&sr=8-1)

DewALT DW660: Cheap. Powerful. Need i saw more? $60 ( http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW660-Cut- ... 695&sr=8-1 )

Proxxon: $110 gets you high quality build with less runout and well suited to longer run times. $120 ( http://www.proxxontools.com/store/pc/vi ... product=10 )

PJ Spindle: Beautiful solution for $100! ( http://cnconabudget.com/ )

Wolfgang Engineering: Super high quality! $200-300 ( http://www.wolfgangengineering.com/Spindles.php )

EBAY "Mammoth": If anything is overkill, this is it... Remember only 220V input for the VFD. $300 ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/200687117794?ss ... 1423.l2649 )

My biggest debate is the Proxxon or the PJ. Or should I bite the bullet and go with Wolfgang or Mammoth for the first build?

Counting down the days!

nogthree · Post by **nogthree** » Tue May 29, 2012 4:20 am

I have a Wolfgang TB-650. Haven't had a chance to use it yet as I'm working on the power supply/speed control for it. Fitting the two power supplies, controller board for the speed and the axis control into the little box I have is going to be interesting.

gazorp · Post by **gazorp** » Tue May 29, 2012 4:51 am

nogthree wrote:I have a Wolfgang TB-650. Haven't had a chance to use it yet as I'm working on the power supply/speed control for it. Fitting the two power supplies, controller board for the speed and the axis control into the little box I have is going to be interesting.

PICS!

The more the better! I am so jealous of that beefy thing! I am leaning toward the Proxxon Pro. and this mount: http://www.ebay.com/itm/221019427841?ss ... 1423.l2649

jahn · Post by **jahn** » Tue May 29, 2012 1:13 pm

And how about Dremel 300 series?Seems to have a good price.

gazorp · Post by **gazorp** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 4:38 pm

I expected much more interest for the most important part of our CNC machines!

SC

Post by **Improbable Construct** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 4:53 pm

So far I am loving the DW660. It's cheap, powerful, accepts 1'/8" and 1/4" bits, and the runout seems low.
It is, however, LOUD! Like 90db loud.

-Brandon

Tom Smith · Post by **Tom Smith** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 4:53 pm

I suspect that most of us on the group haven't had a chance to test any of the spindle options yet (though we wish we could!). Once the kits start arriving, I think you might get more responses.

Personally, I am conflicted. I like the look of the CNC on a budget spindle, but on the other hand, like the power and bit flexibility of something like the Dewalt 660.

I will most likely start out with an inexpensive rotary tool, though, to determine by use what type of cutter is going to best suit my needs

Tom

Post by **edwardrford** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 5:11 pm

I went with the same theory Tom is employing. Start with something basic and cheap (those rotary tools can be had for between $12-$15).

Get a feel for the machine, and know that if you break the tool, it's not a big deal because of the low cost. If need be, spend another $15 and keep practicing.

Once you are comfortable with running jobs and have a good idea of what you're lacking in a spindle, then branch out and find one that fits your requirements.

As a side note, I always mention that the rotary tools are inexpensive enough to treat them as disposable. However, I've never broken one. They're incredibly durable and IMO don't mind being beaten up.

Anecdotal story:
At one point I accidentally sucked a 1/4" piece of aluminum up the bit and wedged it into the collett. The machine stalled and it was probably 10-15 seconds before I realized what had happened and made it across my garage to hit the kill switch.

To my amazement, after getting the whole mess untangled (no small feat, it included a sawz-all!), and replacing the bit, the tool turned right back on after power was applied, going on it's merry way.

-Edward

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gazorp · Post by **gazorp** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 9:12 pm

Thanks for the feedback! I decided to order the proxxon for my first spindle. I also found this nice mount i plan to use: http://www.ebay.com/itm/221019427841?ss ... 1497.l2649

This was the last part on my BOM! I opted for a few upgrades from the get go, so stay tuned for my build log after shipping.

I am also excited that my makerslide stuff shipped last week. I will be building an ORD Hadron and a Shapeoko at the same time!

nio · Post by **nio** » Fri Jun 08, 2012 10:59 pm

i've the same mount, but you'll have a problem with the holes, because they're to 45mm, and the makerslide is just 40mm, so you should use one of this

to avoid it...
My mount:

This proxxon is quite good and quiet!!! you have made a good buy

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