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Post by tazer58 on May 23, 2018 16:20:00 GMT -5
First time poster and a completely noob for CNC. I am getting ready to retire after about 45 years of Government Service and the wife has my retirement job all laid out for me already.
We are in the process of making a purchase of one of the Axiom CNC systems. I had originally planned to go with the AR8 +Pro, but that w came to a halt when I discovered that I needed 220volts in the garage to power it. I thought about having an electrician come in a add a 220 outlet for me in the garage, but that won't work because I have no additional space to add the two breakers in the breaker box.
So that leaves me to step back and go with the AR8 basic system. I saw on the specs the suggested Routers that are compatible with it and wanted to get some opinions on which router would best serve my needs. I need one that can withstand about 4 to 6 hrs of operation a day and has the least amount of clatter and noise, don't want to startle the grandkids and dogs when they are napping.
Would like to hear opinions and suggestions. Chad told me about the step up transformer but I am not sure about that at the moment. If anyone has any history of using one in a home garage or any other option I could employ to get 220volts to the garage besides a completely new panel, would love to hear it.
thanks in advance
Eric
U.S. Army (MP) Ret
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Post by gerry on May 23, 2018 16:46:12 GMT -5
Having your main box changed out is not a big problem. I have a house built in the 60's and the breakers for it are getting hard to find and expensive. When I had the electrician come out for an estimate he told me that my existing box was problematic. Sure enough, when it was replaced, the bars were burned in a few places. Also, my garage has always had poor electrical. I could only run one major piece of equipment at a time. Things like my bandsaw and spindle sander run quite a bit faster.  I had a new mains box installed, a separate box added in my garage, (2) 220 outlets installed in the garage, and (6) 110 outlets added. I am very pleased with the install. I can now run the shop vacs without shutting down the microwave!! All my tools run better. You definitely want a spindle over a router!! My first CNC was a router and it was terrible. Under powered and LOUD. They cannot run long cuts. Forget fancy 3D with a router. They don't last doing too many 6 hour carves. They're not made to. Brushes wear quickly, bearings fail. I love my AR8 PRO+.  If you're going to invest in an upper end machine, go the extra mile and do it correctly. I would have saved a LOT if I had originally followed my own advice. But, like you, I was a newbie and thought I could get by with less. You'll see that same story over and over on lots of CNC forums. Buy your second machine first. |
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Post by savannahdan on May 23, 2018 17:25:56 GMT -5
I had the same situation and the electrician changed my old 60s panel. Things run much better now. Maybe the electrician could add a sub-panel. That's what we did with my old panel and we used new circuit breakers. It's nice having the outlets for the tools in the shop (former garage) on their own panel and the lights in the shop and the rest of the house on the new main panel.
I have to agree about the information on the routers versus the spindle. Better dust control is an advantage for the spindle.
Hope this helps.
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Post by stevem on May 23, 2018 21:38:12 GMT -5
At my local Rockler dealer, they have a AR6 Pro running on the show floor with a 110v to 220v converter box. They sell for about $130.
If you don't want to go for upgrading your electric rite now, that would work for you.
The best idea is to spend the money and get your electric upgraded. You will be happy you did.
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Post by ricphoto on May 23, 2018 22:11:16 GMT -5
One of the reasons we bought this house a little less than a year ago was the 3 car 24x36 garage that I could use as a "temporary" shop while I fingered out where to build a real one...5 acres gives me lots of options...too many ;-p so I'm still in the garage and had to add 220 for not only the AR8+ but my tablesaw as well...it wasn't cheap but I'm really happy I had the chance to re-configure what was on which breaker and where plugs would be best suited for my layout...
I too considered a router based CNC then went to try one and knew immediately that I would be very disappointed in the ease of use, noise, dependability and so on...I wanted to be able to do fine intricate 3D work as well as normal cabinet/furniture making tasks and the routers just didn't seem up to the task...the additional noise alone would have been enough for me to shy away...luckily I read posts by Gerry and Savannadan urging people to buy their 2nd machine first...
Being recently retired I had a very strict budget for things that aren't primarily for generating income but decided that I'd bite the bullet and go for what I wanted and grow into it rather than buying a setup that I would quickly grow out of or dread using it so much that I wouldn't...12-24 hour cuts are now normal for me...and the "non-income generating" label has faded away...getting some nice commissions and looking at adding another machine so I have something to do during those looooong cuts...;-p
rewiring, sub-panel, step-up transformer whatever...get a few competent LICENSED electricians to review your set-up and needs so they can advise you on your options...you're spending thousands for a machine you want to run hard and run right (accurately)...get the spindle and don't look back or get the router and be prepared to eat that one and get another as your skills and experience grow...
your call...
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Post by tazer58 on May 24, 2018 7:05:36 GMT -5
Thanks all for the replies.
You'll reinforced my opinion of sticking with the AR8 +pro and going ahead with upgrading the electrical system. I did some internet checking and decided to reach out to an electrician I know and have him install a sub panel that would support my needs. It would be a short run since the main breaker box is right behind and down below the garage interior wall.
Using a step up transformer would be temporary fix. The issue that I see with using that is the receptacles that it would be plugged in would be shared breaker with the other assets in the garage. So running the dust collection system, table saw, or anything else might cause a surge that could effect the CNC if it is running.
Again, thanks all for the opinions and replies
Eric
U.S. Army (MP) Ret
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I had a new mains box installed, a separate box added in my garage, (2) 220 outlets installed in the garage, and (6) 110 outlets added. I am very pleased with the install. I can now run the shop vacs without shutting down the microwave!! All my tools run better.
