I have a project that justifies getting into my first machine. I’d love to do Elite, but it sounds like lead times are measured in months. If so, that won’t work. So I’m thinking I do an X50 and plan on upgrading soon.
I’d like to get what I need all in one shot rather than start out and keep running into roadblocks. For those of you ahead of me, what would you recommend?
Looking at the order page, I selected the X-50 Journeyman, and presumed I need the Onefinity Controller and 10.8" display. They currently are including the joypad, touch probe, and Carveco. (Is this much correct?)
What else do I need?
clamps?
wasteboard?
table/stand?
dust boot?
bits? (is there a starter combo set?)
Do I use a shopvac or will I need a specific dust control unit?
I’m intrigued by the idea of laser cutting and engraving too. I don’t need it immediately, but I’ll bet I will soon. Which of the three JTech units should I be looking at?
As you see, lots of questions. Any generous souls able to help? Thanks!!
Bits - Cadence MFG Jenny bits thru Onefinity.
Laser - Typically the more power in a laser the larger the laser beam, meaning the smaller the beam the more intricate the cut/engrave. I have the 7w and I then bought stand-alone xTool 10w and 20w to work while using my X50 for what it does best.
Dust Collection - Dust Deputy 2.5 sitting atop a small container using a hepa filter in your shop vac.
Makita router w/collets and spare nut
I use T-tracks some people don’t.
Good luck and keep the work area clean as a favor to yourself.
Thanks. I’ll definitely check all this out. Is the monitor/touchscreen used a lot? I’m assuming it’s to keep me notified of router location, tool changes, errors, etc. Is that right?
as the Onefinity Controller is a stand-alone CNC Controller, the user interface on the display is mainly used to open the g-code file you want to mill, after you connected a USB drive with the file on it. You will also have to press “Play”/“Pause”/“Stop” to control g-code program run and press “Continue” on the popup windows when workpiece XYZ probing with the touch probe or on manual bit length probing on tool changes.
But you can get by completely without connecting a monitor directly to the Onefinity controller and skip buying the touch monitor, since the User Interface can be controlled completely from any remote computer. This even has the advantage that you can see the CAMotics.org 3D toolpath simulation that is not available on a monitor directly connected to the Onefinity controller, as the internal Raspberry Pi 3 has no 3D graphics acceleration package installed. In the case you use a remote computer, you need no USB drive since you can simply click the open file button and you will be able to select a file from your computer.
Do you sell that software? Is this a common case or is the touch screen the normal approach? I could see the benefits of the computer. Does it connect wireless or network or USB or what?
Fwiw, I spoke with 1F on the phone. Their recommendations were as follows…
X-50 Journeyman
QCW table
Dust boot pro
Additional set of large clamps
Dual laser (14W)
2 sets of 4’ cable extensions
Downtown Jenny, Two moose set z, and Myers set
Sounds like I’ll need a dust collector. Is the $300 one at Harbor Freight ok?
Is the Makita the go-to for the Journeyman or is there a spindle option available?
I have the HarborFreight dust collector. Dump the bag as the fine particles are bad juju. Get a 0,5 micron filter from Wynn https://wynnenv.com notice the picture on the first page as it is a HF with their filter.
Amazon sells a 1.5kw spindle and vfd that is 65mm which is the standard size of the Makita or get the 2.2kw with vfd which is 80mm. Pick the size Z at time of purchase of the X-50 you can always by a 65mm insert on Esty is you need to use a router while repairing your spindle. 2 is one and one is none is the rule I keep in mind when I need something to work.
Ok. Now that I know what I’m looking at, It appears that might be an upgrade for me in the future. Sounds like going the Makita route might be the best way for a beginner. Does that make sense to you?
Also, any thoughts about skipping the touchpad and using a computer as recommended above?
Depends on your setup, I generally liked having the touch screen at the machine for the basic operation of the machine and performed all the CAD/CAM from my desk using the web interface to load g-code from there. At that point the local touchscreen is primarily used to home the machine, set the work zero and hit go. You can also hit go from the web interface, I found that when I’m making a bunch of parts having the touchscreen was easier than going back and forth to the desk. If you want to work with a laptop local to the Onefinity and forgo the touchscreen that can work too, I’d suggest designing in some sort of spot/mount to hold your laptop that is convenient to operating the machine same way you would with the touchscreen.
Do you know much about laser? Wondering what thickness each is good for. Can I cut quarter inch or half inch birch ply with any of the jtechs? I’m hoping there is a fit that will cut that stock as well as engrave but maybe I’m asking too much.
Aiph5u
(Aiph5u (not affiliated with Onefinity))
17
A touch screen on a CNC controller becomes more and more common on many machines but it has advantages and disadvantages. The Masso G3 Touch has a Touch screen too. Usually you have a keyboard and a display.
Remote operation over network is the advantage of the Onefinity Controller, as its User Interface is a web page delivered by a web server.
Connecting the Onefinity Controller over its Ethernet port is the most reliable way. It connects to your local network if you have a router with DHCP locally, but you can also directly connect a computer (e.g. laptop) to the Onefinity Controller which will then connect with a link-local connection without configuration. The Onefinity Controller also offers WiFi but since the Raspi is enclosed in a faraday cage, many people have problems. If they want WiFi anyway they use a WiFi dongle on one of the USB ports. For access to the User interface from remote, you need a web browser on the remote computer.
Thanks. Yeah, I saw your comment but also saw people who seemed to be using it for this purpose so I was looking for clarity on the machines capabilities. Thanks for all the input!
You don’t need to buy everything from 1F. You can easily make a table if you would rather save some money vs getting the QCW table. Unless you build an enclosed table you will want a dust boot. I bought mine off of Amazon and with a little modifications it works great. I use a 1hp HF dust collector with a 2.2kw spindle. It produces lots of chips when I use larger bits and it handles it just fine. I agree with Gary, don’t use the bag that comes with it. If you live near a Rockler they have a pleated filter that’s a big upgrade, a safety upgrade.
I have never bought bits from 1F. Not because they aren’t high quality bits. But because you should figure out what you will be doing and then choose the bits that you will do what you want. There’s no point buying bits you will not use. You are going to break bits so you’ll want spares and for learning I would buy cheaper ones, like SPE brand, until you get your feet under you.
I can’t comment on a laser because I don’t have one.
What I would think about is a spindle. You can do it now or down the road. Doing down the road will cost more over all but less upfront. I don’t know if they come with it or if you can add it but I would ask about the Z-20 upgrade.
Haven’t found a CNC router locally. Machine shops here are scheduling months out. There’s probably one at a cabinet shop somewhere, but I’m sure they’re backed up too. You know anyone that does cut out for hire? I’d be open to that.
