Standard verses Alpha

[dfilo456]

I'm new to CNC I'm having a hard time choosing between 48" buddy with power stick or a 48"x96" I will be cutting inlays and small parts but I'm building a new house and I want to build the cabinets for the kitchen so my real question is with the buddy will it do the job or will I be disappointed If didn't go with the table. I would like to know what the real differences are between a standard and an alpha.

Thanks

[Brady Watson]

Go with the 4x8. It is much more versatile & down the line, you will not regret it. The BT tools are great, but if you plan on cutting out 4x8 sheets, the 4x8 is a better choice in my experience.

The difference between a Standard and an Alpha pretty much boils down to torque. The Alpha has more torque than a Standard at any speed, and is the natural choice for super-duty or production machining. The Standard is fine, but I feel the Alpha is worth the additional cost. I've been running the same Alpha drive system on my tool since 2006 that is currently offered on the new Alpha tools & it has never let me down.

-B

[paul_z]

I'm with Brady. If you are doing cabinets, go with a 4 x 8 machine.

Paul Z

PS I also have an alpha.

[jerry_stanek]

I cut cabinet parts on my standard with no problems

[steve_g]

If for some reason a standard loses steps... It blissfully continues on in its ignorance until the entire sheet is ruined. If an Alpha loses steps it will either correct the situation or stop. Please understand that a part is likely ruined but not the whole sheet... Why do you lose steps? Many reasons... For me it's because some waste material gets loose and jambs itself somewhere inappropriate.

Buy as much machine as you can afford/justify... you never know where this trip will go!

SG

[dfilo456]

So My Next Question is the 2.2hp spindle enough or should i go with the 4hp I have 220 Single Phase Im Going with the 4x8 alpha for sure.

[steve_g]

Doug...

My impression is that the 4hp is for a production shop running all day every day. Don't confuse hp ratings between spindles and router motors... I suspect the 2.2 hp will run circles around a 3.25 Porter cable... If I'm wrong, someone will correct me!

SG

[Brady Watson]

There is not a huge difference between the 2.2 & 4hp HSDs. For the heck of it, find out how much a 3hp Colombo spindle is while they are doing up your quote. It will spin 24,000 RPM vs 18,000 for the HSDs, and I think it is a better spindle personally. It is probably priced in between the 2.2 & 4hp.

-B

[gene]

I have a 48x96 alpha with a columbo spindle , LOVE IT:)

[jTr]

About one year ago, I purchased a 9660Alpha with
2.2hp HSD spindle. Not a big stretch to bump up to 60" wide.
In my territory, Russian/Baltic birch arrives in 60x60 sheets. Local melamine manufacturer is now pushing 60x96 sheets, likely due to the proliferation of cnc machines. As time goes on, I think the 96 x 60 will prove well worth the small percentage of additional cost.
Yes you can always upgrade later, but setting it up once is far more economical if you're in it for the long haul.

Bottom line: buy as much as you can squeeze in now - all here would agree, once it's in there and running, you'll be reaping the benefits in ways you cannot yet imagine.

Good luck, and hope to welcome you to Club 'Bot soon!

jeff

[coryatjohn]

I just went through this process (back in December) and decided to go with the "bigger is better" philosophy. I got:

PRS Alpha
96x60x12
4hp spindle

If you think there might be a need in your future for the wider machine and you have the space (this is a big machine), then the extra cost is well worth it. I think you can forget about upgrading later unless you want to spend a lot for materials you've already purchased. As others have said, get as much machine as you possibly can now. Besides the cost of upgrading, you'll have to disassemble your machine and rebuild it practically from scratch to make it larger in any dimension.

I went for the 12" Z axis instead of the 6". Upping the Z axis is relatively inexpensive and it opens up a lot more possibilities. I don't believe there are any negatives to the longer Z.

[bill]

My opinion......
Due to $$$$$ and shop confinements, original machine was 48x48 alpha w/router. With upgrades it is now 48x96 with 2.2hp spindle. The "upgrade" route is NOT cost effective. If you can, start with no less. Full 4x8 sheet and the spindle is SO quiet! :)