I see some similar models advertised on ebay as being 4 axis and was wondering how that would work. Does it allow you to go back in time to fix mistakes?
Hah. Here's a 4th axis:
![](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/what-did-you-buy-today-post-your-latest-purchase!/?action=dlattach;attach=311516;image)
Was it expensive?
$1500 shipping included... so definitely no.
Chose that one because:
- It's a 4030 with 1500W spindle, pretty rare - normally you've got to go to 6040 to have the big spindle, the standard for 4030s is 800W. Wanted the big one to have some margin and be able to do metal machining and have torque at low speeds for larger mills, but 6040 is way too big for my already overcrowded place and I wouldn't envision much use for the extra area for my stuff.
- It's USB, had no will to fiddle with finding the right PC/OS combo to drive a parallel port
- It's got a (supposedly waterproof...) closed circuit cooling/lubrication cycle and a 6cm tall removeable "skirt" (not pictured) that encloses the bed somewhat and should hopefully help control the mess a bit.
Drawbacks so far:
- Got instructions for the parallel port version, had to figure out how to get the communication working. Wasn't too complicated to get the basics working but I'm still missing the secondary IOs (end point switches, tool probe, emergency stop button). Messaged the seller to get data and will see if I get a response before I start delving into it.
- USB boards apparently have limited IOs so the end point switches of all axes are ORed together. Not sure if it's really a drawback - they don't actually matter that much in the first place, you've got to check your ranges are free of holders and stuff anyway.
- Spindle is manual control only. From the very quick look I had in the control box it's likely that computer control can be added with just a bit of wiring.
- Can't get my hand controller (purchased separately elsewhere) to work yet
You must post up some pics and video.
Welp that may take a little until there's something actually interesting to post, but in the meantime have my first [self-explanatory]
![Tweak :-/O](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/smiliey_cal.gif)
![](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/what-did-you-buy-today-post-your-latest-purchase!/?action=dlattach;attach=311518;image)
Used a Dremel 3mm mill for the "Test", all I could find in a shop on the spot (machine arrived so quickly my sets of mills aren't there yet
![Scared :scared:](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/scared.gif)
). There were a few engraving V-tips with the machine so the PCB is done with that.
Anyway an actual
something in an afternoon is pretty satisfying already
![ThumbsUp :-+](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/icon_smile_thumbsup.gif)