Hello Everyone, after months of looking at the shapeoko website daily for the last few months, i finally said f-it and pulled the plug on a Pro with the HDM upgrade. Unfortunately Carbide were not in a position to ship the HDM overseas, so the Pro was the best option I had.
As I’m in the UK, i opted not to purchase a Router or spindle with the machine. After scouring Instagram and Facebook pages i then purchases a 2.2kw Spindle kit. I purchases a couple of SWM Fixture plates and Mod vices for good measure. Everything is due with me in a couple of weeks and i cannot wait to start making chips.
Some advice if you will, although the 2.2KW spindle seems to be a popular upgrade, i have not yet been able to find an in depth installation guide - If someone can point me in the right direction that would be great.
Secondly, End Mills. Most information i have found relates to products that i seemingly cannot purchase over here without shipping them from the USA. If anyone from the UK is on here and couple maybe advise a UK Supplier? I intend to use the machine for mostly aluminum and i may dip my toes into making parts from wood and some carbon fibre sheet.
Hello Eden and welcome (it asked me to say that )!
Exciting purchases!
Hopefully “Pro with the HDM upgrade” is really “Pro with the HDZ upgrade” since you’ll need the HDZ for the spindle you have. Did you also get the 80mm mounting bracket? The one C3D provide is superb, and the one you’ll get with your spindle really isn’t
There’s a few threads about installing and configuring the spindle, but since there are different types, none of the threads are universally applicable. Can you let us know the model number of the VFD that is coming with your spindle? That might help.
I get endmills from Amazon UK (usually Spetool tapered 0.25mm balls for engraving) and most of my others from APT Tools (https://www.shop-apt.co.uk).
We have the 80mm bracket also. I settled on Huan Yang model, I’m yet to receive it so I’m not sure on the model number at this time. Im just trying to get everything ordered and here so when the machine arrives i can jump right in.
There’s a bunch of us with HuanYang 2.2kW spindles over here in the land of rain and clouds.
As for end mills, I’ve got a few good sources over here, I suggest you start with some simple single flute mills, either uncoated or DLC coated, nothing with Al in the coating name.
I have had lots of success with these
I have one of these in 8mm which is great for face and wall finishing
For slightly more expensive stuff Cutwel has pretty good service too
)!