Water cooled spindle

[Poogan]

I see that Laguna has adopted water cooled spindles. Other than the obvious possibility of longer spindle life what benefit would the water cooled spindle offer. Is there a downside to the water cooled spindle? Anyone with general experience with Laguna cnc products? I can't find anything about them other than Laguna promotional information.

[bleeth]

Hey-I'm thinking of buying a new truck and I've been looking at a Toyota. Do you think I should go on the Chevrolet forum and ask them about it?:rolleyes:

[Gary Campbell]

Dan...
There are lots of those WC chineese spindles out there. 1st off they are chineese made, and dont seem to be anywhere as robust as the Italian made. They cost less than a good handheld router.

I do know of a competing brand of CNC to SHopBot that used to use them. They stopped for 2 reasons. 1) Water pump failures that ruined spindles. 2) Persons that ARE small US manufacturers seem to be reluctant to buy Chineese.

SO if you decide to buy one......
Put an expensive water pump with a flow meter on it.
Dont tell us, as WE ARE American manufacturers.

[Poogan]

Mr. Rosenbleeth, please accept my apologies. I am new to this forum and have yet to purchase a cnc machine. I have been told to examine all possibilities and that no question was too stupid to ask. Apparently both suggestions need to be reexamined. Frankly I see comments about other manufacturers all over this blog, some favorable some not. After I posted the comment I found some very complimentary comments about the power of the Laguna systems. Nevertheless, I sincerely regret causing you discomfort by asking the question and will attempt to limit my inquiries in the future.

[Poogan]

Mr. Campbell, Thank you for the informative information. I thought, wrongly, that perhaps the water cooled spindle was the future of the cnc world and that not getting one with my first purchase might be like buying a computer that didn't run the latest software. I also had no idea that the spindles were chinese made. Thanks again, I appreciate the courtesy of your reply.

[gc3]

hey dan

don't let those guys scare you...what ever you buy will have parts from all over the globe

there is a thread on cnc zone about those spindles if you haven't seen it already.

[danhamm]

Anyone want to make a wager,???.. bet he won't be looking at a shopbot now.!!!

[bleeth]

Hey Dan:
Don't worry about it. You didn't cause me any discomfort-You just gave me a good chuckle.

[steve_g]

There is actually some logic in asking about a Toyota on a Chevy site... I always like to know what the scuttle butt is... and make my own decision as to what is blind brand loyalty and what has merit.

Steve

[Poogan]

hey dan

don't let those guys scare you...what ever you buy will have parts from all over the globe

there is a thread on cnc zone about those spindles if you haven't seen it already.
Do you need an apprentice in Los Cabos?

[Poogan]

There is actually some logic in asking about a Toyota on a Chevy site... I always like to know what the scuttle butt is... and make my own decision as to what is blind brand loyalty and what has merit.

Steve
I was hoping for an open, honest and detailed discussion to further my confidence for an important decision.

[danhamm]

Dan, you have to get in line to be Gene's apprentice, isn't his stuff something..
By the way, I am using a china spindle...its not a water cooled one, I am pleased with it..
I did use a hsd spindle for a couple of years so am familiar with them, the chinese have copied the hsd in design.
There are a lot of botters using them, they shy away from posting it because of the "flak" it seems to arouse, I personally dont see any diff
using Japanese motors, german bearings, or korean tool changers.
guess I'm being un-american,
Good luck in your research, hope you do settle on a bot.

[steve_g]

Dan A and Dan H:

I'm actually interested in hearing from others who have adopted "inexpensive" spindles. I don't understand the "flak" given by others as it seems to me that the ShopBot community is all about experimenting, adapting, and innovating. If someone has had a bad... or a good experience with a particular brand of spindle... or whatever, this would be the place to share that information.

Steve

[Poogan]

Dan, you have to get in line to be Gene's apprentice, isn't his stuff something..
By the way, I am using a china spindle...its not a water cooled one, I am pleased with it..
I did use a hsd spindle for a couple of years so am familiar with them, the chinese have copied the hsd in design.
There are a lot of botters using them, they shy away from posting it because of the "flak" it seems to arouse, I personally dont see any diff
using Japanese motors, german bearings, or korean tool changers.
guess I'm being un-american,
Good luck in your research, hope you do settle on a bot.
Thank you. Thats helpful and informative. I am very impressed with what I read about the shopbot line of products and this is a very active and helpful forum. We seem to have an absence of cnc enthusiasts here in Central Missouri. I just checked with the adult education center and they had no idea what I was talking about. Guess I'll have to take a refrigeration or welding class.

[woodworx]

I wouldn't buy anything Laguna sells. They don't make anything, they just buy machines from the lowest bidder and slap their name on it.

[Gary Campbell]

Guys...
I know that a number of Botters use the Chineese stuff. And its easy to tell my personal prefference, but please know my comments were based on being courteous to our hosts. Since ShopBot supports this forum, and sells PC routers and 2 brands of spindles, it is a courtesy not to post about a product that competes directly with those they sell.

Gene referrenced a thread on CNC Zone. A much better place to get unbiased info, both for and against.

[Poogan]

Excellent points and very good advice. Generous sponsors should be given appropriate respect without question.

[Poogan]

I wouldn't buy anything Laguna sells. They don't make anything, they just buy machines from the lowest bidder and slap their name on it.
I have had big questions about Laguna. They seem to be heavy on the promotional side but questionable on the delivery side. Your comment is appreciated and confirms some of my suspicion. Do you know for sure that the products are constructed in the fashion you describe?

[taylor]

hey Dan
I have a water cooled auto tool changer, if you like call me, maybe I can help a little on the water cooled part. The spindle has been on my machine for about 2 years, love it.
mark 757-288-6256

[richards]

The specs on most fan cooled spindles give a fan cooled spindle a 60-75% duty cycle. Spindles with forced air cooling are rated at 100% duty cycle. Water cooled spindles are rated at 100% duty cycle.

If the spindle/driver uses a themo-couple to monitor heat, any of the three types will work.

I used a 3hp Colombo fan cooled spindle for several years with excellent results. By setting the display to show Amps being drawn, I made cuts that pulled 1-1/2 to 2hp to allow me to use the spindle at a100% duty rate.

I know several people who have converted other machines to use a water cooled spindle. All had excellent results - given the stipulation that those spindles were rated at 2hp.

[wberminio]

My experience with Laguna tools-

I bought a Vertical panel saw from them 10+ years ago.
Nice machine-best investment pre-Shopbot.( Cost almost as much as my Bot,btw)

When I need parts-they stopped selling the machine and were no help in getting parts.
Finally located the manufacturer in Holland.
Needless to say,I would have been less a hassle to learn Dutch/buy a plane ticket to Holland and pickup the parts myself .

Stick to Shopbot.