Upgraded 3018 Pro using MGN15H Linear Rails and a 500w Spindle

100% agree, ABS or ASA are the best options - even PETG will go soft from a hot spindle.

 

So, I might have ordered a new spindle today…

I do like my Makita, but it’s sooooo loud it’s damaging my hearing. And I miss ER11 collets, they have a lot less runout than the Makita system. Every attempt to mill a PCB with fine pitch traces, has failed due to the runout.

So what did I buy? A 65mm, air cooled, 1.5kW VFD controlled spindle. I can’t find anyone with a bad thing to say about the G-Penny spindles, and the value for money seems excellent at $350 aud landed, with the VFD.

This version doesn’t have ceramic bearings like the 2.2kW versions, but I have no desire to mill steel, just aluminum, CF etc.

 

That’s pretty much what most folk seem to be saying. I think the Makita being a brushed motor is a large part of why it’s so loud.

 

It appears to be a fairly common H17 4-pin aviation style plug, a larger one would have been better, but Im not fussed about soldering the wires on myself. Great to hear you are happy with yours.

 

Probably, my Makita 700c is 710 watt, and it cuts aluminium and carbon fibre without issues. Personally, I'd recommend the more powerful motor as the price difference is not much, and more power means it doesn't have to work as hard so should live longer.

 

That reminds me, is there a recommended wire gauge for these?

 

NVM, I think this cable from my local store, should be perfect,

[link removed]

 

Surprisingly no, but I do plan to make a single piece aluminum bed at some point. I think that the black stuff tying the two halves together is pretty stiff.

Upgraded 3018 Pro using MGN15H Linear Rails and a 500w Spindle

As an example, I finished my carbon fibre bed carriage last week, and the 0.3mm deep mounts are perfect in each corner.

 

Cheers, I’m really happy with the results, my 3D Printer has never looked so cool! i did video making it, but I’m not sure it turned out that well. I’ll edit it and see if it can be polished up. I didn’t use my skirt equipped dust extraction thing, as I wanted to film it. Turned out that the cuts just filled up with carbon fibre dust without it on.

Iirc the black stuff is Bakelite - having modified most of the parts, it’s very durable and strong.

 

i found using titanium coated, solid carbide burr bits gets amazing results on carbon fibre.

To bore the holes accurately, I used 250mm/m, but for the contour options, I was able to run up to 1,000mm/m without any trouble. I ran my spindle at 25k rpm.

 

Don’t get me wrong, I still had dust extraction on for the fine particles. I just didn’t use the below shirt equipped version. The one I used is identical, but doesn’t have the flexible skirt to improve debris and dust collection.

https://youtube.com/shorts/G8GldkfU9Go?si=H3pwSACigN6tR6ki

edit: this is the dust shoe I used.

 

i have a dust separator followed by a hepa filter equipped vacuum cleaner (I also use the disposable paper bags in it).

 

I’m yet to design my X/Y ball screw upgrade, but I think the best idea is to model it in cad. Then you can move the bed assembly around to work out the actual work area.

 

Wow, that was fast!

Good old FedEx got it from China to my house while my wife and daughter were away! And my [removed] order of cabling arrived too!

 

You could try mocking it up in the low tech CAD, cardboard aided design? That method can be very effective.

cheers, I need to redesign my electronics cabinet now so I can integrate it properly, good thing I’ve got Friday off.

 

I’d love to take credit, but it’s a joke commonly used by machining YouTubers.