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Buying first cnc router

1/18/17       
Jon Member

Hi all, new to this site, but hoping for some advice. We are looking to buy our first cnc router for a custom cabinet shop. We are considering the Holz her Lynx, does anyone have any experience with this machine?

1/19/17       #4: Buying first cnc router ...
Agustus

Here is how I would buy my next CNC machine. Narrow the choice down to the 2 machines that meet my requirements (new or used). I would find a shop that has either machines. Talk with the owner about down time repair cost etc. I would then ask the owner about experiences with the manufactures warranty support and tech support. If possible, call tech support and see how they handle a probable situation. Let that be a major factor in you final decision.

1/19/17       #5: Buying first cnc router ...
Paul

Are you looking at nesting machine?
If so I would steer clear of the cantilever machines like the Lynx and go with gantry design.
We sold our Holzher about 18 months ago and we purchased a Weeke nesting machine.
We really like WoodWOP software and find machine control more user friendly and intuitive.

1/19/17       #6: Buying first cnc router ...
Jon Member

Thanks for your input so far. What would be your reason for staying away from the cantilever machine? We have also considered the Weeke Vantech 510 and the Biesse Rover S. Does anyone have any experience with these two machines? Any advice is helpfully at this point since the cnc world is all new to me. Thanks in advance.

1/20/17       #7: Buying first cnc router ...
Axel

We also narrowed down to Holzher and Weeke.
We went with the Weeke Vantech due to the gantry design, program controlled vacuum zones and it is German engineered but assembled in the USA with North American parts and service.

It has turned out to be a great decision for us and while we have not needed service or parts to date it is comforting to know it is available on this side of the Atlantic if we need it.

Good luck in your search.

1/20/17       #8: Buying first cnc router ...
Eric B.

I cannot speak for the machines you are looking at but we just purchased a Giben/Anderson G4 5x10. Great experience. There are a lot of good machines out there and it can be overwhelming. For me, it came down to the unique features that I was looking for in a router; boring block, push off arm(a must in my opinion), fast movement, and heavy construction. Anderson is a proven platform with great service. So are the brands you mentioned. A big reason I went the direction I did is because a Service Tech/ Salesman from Giben actually came out to my shop to talk to me. He is a knowledgeable tech and lives not too far from me. Like I said, there are many factors that play into a decision this big. Best of luck! You will wonder why you didn't do it sooner!

1/22/17       #9: Buying first cnc router ...
Larry

I've had 3 routers, based on my experience, I wouldn't buy a cantilever machine. Get the largest table you can fit or afford (I'd get 5x12, but I do lots of commercial work.) The drill block can never have too many! Horizontal drills are rarely used. An L configuration allows line bore in either X or Y. Get at least 8 tool change positions. Spindle HP, even an 8HP one will cut 3/4" melamine at 600"/min. with a 2 flute compression or even 900"/min. with a 3 flute. Cutting speed is a function of chip load not HP. There is little difference in cost between 8, 10 & 12hp spindle motors so most suppliers now use the 12HP ones.

Having the push off option is well worth it, greatly improves thru-put & reduces the dust in the air problem associated with air blow off. Multiple vacuum zones aren't particularly valuable, most of the time you will be cutting full sheets. When you occasionally need to cut a single part just lay a pc. of laminate on the unused area. Vacuum pumps: my first machine had a 10hp Becker, OK pump just too small. Two 10's or 15's make sense to me. Run just one, if it works, the 2nd one when you are cutting lots of small parts or through cuts in parts that bleed off the vacuum. Having two pumps also gives you a back up if one needs servicing. My current router has a 40hp screw, eats a lot of electricity. No matter how big the pump, you will need to tab or onion skin very small parts, set your software to take care of that. Use high quality bits, cheaper in the long run. We use Onsrud Marathon bits.
Better to be a little over spec'd than wishing you had spent the extra in the first place.
You will wonder why you didn't buy one sooner.

1/23/17       #10: Buying first cnc router ...
MICHAEL LEWERS

Look at the BOSS Router. Made in the USA and they include everything you need. CNC machine, full suite of CAD/CAM software, all tooling, 3 days onsite training and shipping. They were hands on through the whole process.

http://BOSSROUTERS.COM

2/5/17       #11: Buying first cnc router ...
Volkhard

While I can't say much about the Holzher machine I had 3 Biesse Rover over the years and can only attest to excellent techsupport I have received from Biesse.

That was especially true when I bought my first Rover 13S used and was new to CNC like you. From there I upgraded later to a Rover 20 S which I upgraded to an Rover A. You might see the pattern here ;)

For me the Rover have always performed as expected (within their limitations) and when there was an issue (99% operator issues!) Biesse has always been there for me.

Just my $0.02

Good luck with your search.

2/12/17       #13: Buying first cnc router ...
Jon Member

Thank you all for all the input. We have decided to go ahead and purchase a Biesse Rover S with a 5X12 bed. The biggest factor was that I was having second thoughts about the cantilever design of the Holz-Holz Lynx machine. Hope this will be a great choice for years to come, and thanks all again for the advise. Also I'm still open to advise as far as pros and cons to the Biesse Rover S, if anyone has experience with this machine.

4/13/17       #14: Buying first cnc router ...
stefan feulner

I have a Lynx and I have been very satisfied with the machine. I did not consider the weeke due to a unruly saleman in our state and the $30,000 extra on the price tag for a very comparable machine. I also didn't consider the Biesse due to some interesting sales techniques and some horror stories from their "Klever" machines.
We had an omnitech before the Lynx and that was a horror story.


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2/3/22       #16: Buying first cnc router ...
johnson malik Member

I would steer clear of cantilever machines like the Lynx and instead use a gantry design.
About 18 months ago, we sold our Holzher nesting machine and purchased a Weeke nesting machine.
WoodWOP software is easy to use and intuitive, and we find machine control to be more user friendly. also check best cnc router on our website
2/3/22       #17: Buying first cnc router ...
Stefan

Its weird seeing this post pop up from 4 years ago. We now have 11600 hours on the Holzher Lynx. We have had zero downtime during that time.
In April we are upgrading to the Holzher 7532 Lift with auto load(pre-labeling) and auto offload.
I can say that my LYNX served us very well in the last 6 years.


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