I was surprised that I had not seen it here. I think it is a wonderful machine to have.
Quote from the Kickstarter page:
Stepcraft 2 is the world's first universal desktop CNC solution designed to turn your ideas into reality. It is the only machine that can Mill, Carve, Engrave, 3D Print, Laser Engrave, work as a Vinyl/Craft Cutter, Plot and more... Stepcraft 2 will be the ONLY desktop CNC system with an ATC (Automatic Tool Changer), making complex jobs even easier.
The Stepcraft is available in 3 sizes and plenty of pledges to choose from. The project has reached it's target on Kickstarter already (by 3 times). More at the Kickstarter project page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/224743317/stepcraft-2-universal-desktop-cnc-3d-printer-for-e?ref=nav_search
Comments
Ah, good group of guys to discuss this.
I agree with Gary's Kiss page. I'm quite skilled in manual tools, have a pretty full shop. I also have a 3-in-1 lathe/mill/drill that has always been a POS and is currently broken. I have since bought one of these which is a pretty decent machine.
http://www.busybeetools.com/products/milling-machine-with-digital-r...
I'm sure some will recognize it as it's rebranded many times.
I'm also looking at getting a 3D Printer, to be able to easily produce complex shapes in lightweight material. Just about to purchase the Zortrax M200, nice price (and on the plastic too) and seems to be very high quality. But, I also was wanting to get one of these CNC Routers to be able to cut out frames and such out of CF and Aluminum plate, maybe up to 4mm thick. If I could also cut frame bulkheads out of 1/4", maybe even just the rough cut before finishing on the manual mill, that would be even better.
But I've seen discussion from some other professional machinists, who say these machines are junk and not suitable for cutting anything other than wood.
What's your opinion?
I have considered converting my CX601 to full CNC. But there's two problems there. First, I'd hate to lose the ability to manually operate it, which I assume happens with the CNC conversions? Second, I really do not have time to take on another hobby. I need to take the machine out of the box, set it up, and put it to work. If there was a comprehensive conversion kit with step by step instructions, that would be one thing. But the conversiondiydrones.comve sourcing various parts, fabricating others, etc etc.
Gary, are you cutting metal in your study?
You get what you pay for and at $200.00 for what claims to be a complete machine shop (albeit a teeny tiny machine shop) in a box I wouldn't expect too much.
Also it is entirely manual.
A usable, decent Mill / Drill unit by itself starts at about $1500.00.
And Proxxon makes really high quality mini tools.
You might want to take a look at my CNC Is Fun pages.
http://cncisfun.com/index.html
And the KISS Methods page
http://cncisfun.com/KISS_Methods.html
And if your looking for bits I recommend ToolsToday's Amana carbide bits.
http://www.toolstoday.com/
and
Precisebits.com s bit and collet selection.
http://precisebits.com/
McMaster Carr also has some great priced carbide tooling including microcrystalline diamond coated end mills (really good on G10 and Carbon Fiber.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#end-mills/=woz2ho
Best Regards,
Gary
People should not think they save buying two dedicated machines in the end with this one...
It is a nice hobby cnc mill (but there are many on the market).
As a 3D printer it might not be nice to use. Speeds are too slow compared to dedicated (belt driven) printers and the spindles not really like the back and forth a printer needs to do and will wear out.
So I would second Gary´s comment. Get a good cnc mill, you can convert it later.
My personal experience is that milling gets you more parts usable for planes and copters than does printing :-)
What about the Unimat 1?
Hi bigkahuna,
Generally it is easy to convert a gantry type CNC into a 3D printer.
It usually won't work the other way around.
Most 3D printers are designed to apply zero force and as soon as you start using them to route or mill, the force that they exert is translated into backlash in inadequately designed components.
You need to use low tolerance antibacklash ball screws and zero tolerance ball bushings / bearings and rigid components to make a CNC machine.
3D printers (and plasma cutters) can often get by with timing belts and unsecured bearings and bushings.
So if you want both, get or build a gantry type CNC with a switchable head.
Like mine:
Best,
Gary
good summary Rob
I'm pretty interested in this machine, but not because it can 3D print. It's probably pretty mediocre at that.
I was actually just about to order a Stepcrafter 1, when I saw the 2 announced. But, I didn't want to have to wait until June to get it. It's really not clear to me what the difference is between the 1 and 2 and if it's worth waiting. Also, the Kickstarter package I would have to order to get the bits I need, also come with a bunch of stuff I don't need. So I'd be looking at about $3000 for a SC2, vs $2000 for the SC1 package I want.
I've been torn between getting a 3D printer or desktop CNC, guess this would solve that problem! ;)
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