I've finally got my CNC mill built, and have discovered that my Dremel just isn't precise enough to handle the PCBs I want to mill. I'm looking for suggestions for replacement spindles. As a reference point, my goal is to be able to mill 0.5mm-pitch SMD component pads. I'm not going to rule out milling other stuff in the future, but the biggest deal is being able to mill PCBs nicely.
Requirements:
-Low runout (< 0.001" would be nice)
-Not terribly expensive (< $150 would be great, though I'm looking to do this right, so if that really means spending more, I'll consider it)
-Running on 110VAC would be a plus, though I've got a 24VDC power supply
Parts I'm considering (in no particular order):
Wolfgang Engineering spindles: Wolfgang Engineering
These look really good in terms of runout, but are pretty expensive (again, paying for quality is OK). Perhaps more relevantly, I've read reports of them wearing out sooner than one would like.
Paul Jones' Spindles: CNC on a Budget : Inexpensive Technology and Engineering
Again, runout looks good, and the price is right. The biggest concern I have here is the long lead time and that I've read reports of parts not showing up. I think PayPal covers this to some degree, however.
DeWalt 611 (DWP611)
I've read reports that these are good in terms of runout, and you can get precision collets from Precision solid carbide tools for woodworking and metal forming.. My main cause of concern here is not being able to have a measure of the runout before getting the tool, especially since no guarantees are given by the manufacturer on the subject.
Ridgid R2401
Pretty much the same deal as the DeWalt above
Taig Spindle: Taig Tools - Desktop Milling Machines and Lathes.
The tolerances look good, and the price isn't too high (though it creeps up significantly if you add a motor, mounting plates, belts, etc.). My main concern here is coupling it nicely with the motor.
Proxxon IBS/E: PROXXON TOOLS: Professional Rotary Tool IBS/E
The price is certainly reasonable, and they guarantee runout <= 0.001". I think my concern here is tool life- I've read that such rotary tools tend to degrade more rapidly than one would like (though I think where I read that was with regard to Dremels specifically). On the up side, it looks like it's shaped in a way that would mount easily.
I guess the short of it is that I've got a lot of options, and am having trouble making a decision. Suggestions? Thoughts? Other ideas?
I'd also like to hear from anybody using one of the trim routers listed (DeWalt 611 or Ridgid R2401). If everybody has had a good experience with them (mostly low runout), it'd be reassuring.
Also, I hope that this'll be a good reference for others in the same or similar situation.
Requirements:
-Low runout (< 0.001" would be nice)
-Not terribly expensive (< $150 would be great, though I'm looking to do this right, so if that really means spending more, I'll consider it)
-Running on 110VAC would be a plus, though I've got a 24VDC power supply
Parts I'm considering (in no particular order):
Wolfgang Engineering spindles: Wolfgang Engineering
These look really good in terms of runout, but are pretty expensive (again, paying for quality is OK). Perhaps more relevantly, I've read reports of them wearing out sooner than one would like.
Paul Jones' Spindles: CNC on a Budget : Inexpensive Technology and Engineering
Again, runout looks good, and the price is right. The biggest concern I have here is the long lead time and that I've read reports of parts not showing up. I think PayPal covers this to some degree, however.
DeWalt 611 (DWP611)
I've read reports that these are good in terms of runout, and you can get precision collets from Precision solid carbide tools for woodworking and metal forming.. My main cause of concern here is not being able to have a measure of the runout before getting the tool, especially since no guarantees are given by the manufacturer on the subject.
Ridgid R2401
Pretty much the same deal as the DeWalt above
Taig Spindle: Taig Tools - Desktop Milling Machines and Lathes.
The tolerances look good, and the price isn't too high (though it creeps up significantly if you add a motor, mounting plates, belts, etc.). My main concern here is coupling it nicely with the motor.
Proxxon IBS/E: PROXXON TOOLS: Professional Rotary Tool IBS/E
The price is certainly reasonable, and they guarantee runout <= 0.001". I think my concern here is tool life- I've read that such rotary tools tend to degrade more rapidly than one would like (though I think where I read that was with regard to Dremels specifically). On the up side, it looks like it's shaped in a way that would mount easily.
I guess the short of it is that I've got a lot of options, and am having trouble making a decision. Suggestions? Thoughts? Other ideas?
I'd also like to hear from anybody using one of the trim routers listed (DeWalt 611 or Ridgid R2401). If everybody has had a good experience with them (mostly low runout), it'd be reassuring.
Also, I hope that this'll be a good reference for others in the same or similar situation.