Upgrade or Sell and Buy

Spindle/VFD (Aftermarket)
1

Hey folks,

I currently have a Journeyman with the “Stiffy” upgrade and a Makita router. I’m looking to upgrade to a Journeyman Elite with an 80mm spindle and ATC.

I’m trying to decide between upgrading my existing machine or selling it and going all-in on a completely new setup. Does anyone have recommendations or insight on either route?

Specifically, I’m torn between the new Redline Spindle with the Rapid Change ATC or PWNCNC’s water-cooled option with their ATC. Anyone have experience with either setup? Pros, cons, regrets, or things you’d do differently?

Also, for those who’ve sold their old machines, how much did you get for them? I’ll need to crunch the numbers, and any guidance would help!

Thanks in advance—bonus points if your advice doesn’t make my wallet cry too much.

2

I sold my original Journeyman to buy an Elite with a pwnCNC water cooled-spindle and am glad I did. I got $2,500 for my old one which included the router and drag chain I had installed. If I were to do it today, I’d still sell it, but just go with the air-cooled Redline spindle. The real sound comes from the bit cutting the workpiece and my dust controller. I still use hearing protection with the water-cooled spindle. I enjoyed setting up the machine from scratch as opposed to fiddling with the upgrade. The guy I sold it to was happy and I was happy.

4 Likes
3

Good to know thank you!