Next Wave Shark HD520 Opinions/Experience
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Next Wave Shark HD520 Opinions/Experience
I am contemplating the purchase of my first CNC Router as a hobbyist, and saw the promotion on this machine at Rockler that includes a free water cooled spindle or laser. Is this a good machine for the money (5k)? or is there something better. I like the idea of having a 4th axis, but not sure about the pendant, and also heard there were recalls on the spindle a few months ago (maybe resolved?). Would love any feedback or suggestions for a cnc in the same category (xyz travel is 25" x 50" x 7" comes with V Carve Pro Software.
Re: Next Wave Shark HD520 Opinions/Experience
I like mine. I purchased it just over a year ago for my upcoming retirement (to keep me busy and hopefully earn some cash instead of sitting around doing nothing).
At the time, they were offering the 2hp air cooled (or 2w laser) as the freebie, but I purchased the 3hp water cooled when I purchased the machine (at an expo at the local wood store)
I then filled out the 'paperwork' online and got the 2hp air cooled shipped to me (so I have a backup).
Soon, I hope to purchase the SD101 (gotta wait until I sell enough to pay for the new machine so wifey doesn't have a fit!) to use as a mobile platform to take with me to craft shows / markets to do the custom laser work at point of sale of premade projects.
I like the machine, and I am still learning the software, but I have been a CNC programmer/operator for the last 35+ years. I'm used to more complicated, complex software, but I am old (new trick kind of thing), and it is a slow learning process for me since I am still working full time. I don't like the fact that VCarve doesn't allow IGES import since I have HUNDREDS (and hundreds) of designs that I have designed over the decades that my (very) old CAD software can export in IGES, but VCarve doesn't see anything in the DXF files it exports, so I have to monkey around to get them into a format that VCarve can use. I have designed up some form shapes that I can export in STL, but you can only import ONE STL file in VCarve per project, but I can combine them with the Design & Make files and any 2D I care to add via DXF.
So far, I've not seen/had any issues with the machine and I do enjoy programming/making things with it. I've made a few dozen things that I have given to friends/relatives as well as a few items that I have sold (about half way to the SD101!).
At the time, they were offering the 2hp air cooled (or 2w laser) as the freebie, but I purchased the 3hp water cooled when I purchased the machine (at an expo at the local wood store)
I then filled out the 'paperwork' online and got the 2hp air cooled shipped to me (so I have a backup).
Soon, I hope to purchase the SD101 (gotta wait until I sell enough to pay for the new machine so wifey doesn't have a fit!) to use as a mobile platform to take with me to craft shows / markets to do the custom laser work at point of sale of premade projects.
I like the machine, and I am still learning the software, but I have been a CNC programmer/operator for the last 35+ years. I'm used to more complicated, complex software, but I am old (new trick kind of thing), and it is a slow learning process for me since I am still working full time. I don't like the fact that VCarve doesn't allow IGES import since I have HUNDREDS (and hundreds) of designs that I have designed over the decades that my (very) old CAD software can export in IGES, but VCarve doesn't see anything in the DXF files it exports, so I have to monkey around to get them into a format that VCarve can use. I have designed up some form shapes that I can export in STL, but you can only import ONE STL file in VCarve per project, but I can combine them with the Design & Make files and any 2D I care to add via DXF.
So far, I've not seen/had any issues with the machine and I do enjoy programming/making things with it. I've made a few dozen things that I have given to friends/relatives as well as a few items that I have sold (about half way to the SD101!).
Re: Next Wave Shark HD520 Opinions/Experience
Shopbot also makes upscale cnc router mills. They were what I looked at first, BUT:
they look to use the same drive system as Nextwave
they use alum t-slot deck, like Nextwave
they have one that is 18x12x5 for travel with a 1hp spindle (included)
this model appears to have 2 drive motors for 'Y" (one on each side?) with 1 each in X & Z
Comes with the same software (Vectric)
looks to use the same bearings (but pix are a little hard to see)
keep in mind, this is for 18x12x5 of travel
starts at $9k
going with the Nextwave Shark HD520:
HD520 ($5k) 25x50x7 travel
3hp water-cooled spindle ($1k or $1.4k ecocool system)
7w laser ($1K)
3D digitizing probe ($350)
4th axis lathe ($900)
for a total of $8250
So, you get 8,750 cu-in of cutting volume vs 1,080 of cutting volume for slightly less with a LOT of added abilities.
of course, there are really cheap models out there, but many of them are 'some assembly required' (and by some, they mean ALL) and look really cheap (pass!) compared to Nextwave.
Yes, you have to assemble the HD520, but it is pretty easy (but heavy), bolt the bridge to the table, plug in the (pre-assembled) wire harnesses and you are ready to go.
they look to use the same drive system as Nextwave
they use alum t-slot deck, like Nextwave
they have one that is 18x12x5 for travel with a 1hp spindle (included)
this model appears to have 2 drive motors for 'Y" (one on each side?) with 1 each in X & Z
Comes with the same software (Vectric)
looks to use the same bearings (but pix are a little hard to see)
keep in mind, this is for 18x12x5 of travel
starts at $9k
going with the Nextwave Shark HD520:
HD520 ($5k) 25x50x7 travel
3hp water-cooled spindle ($1k or $1.4k ecocool system)
7w laser ($1K)
3D digitizing probe ($350)
4th axis lathe ($900)
for a total of $8250
So, you get 8,750 cu-in of cutting volume vs 1,080 of cutting volume for slightly less with a LOT of added abilities.
of course, there are really cheap models out there, but many of them are 'some assembly required' (and by some, they mean ALL) and look really cheap (pass!) compared to Nextwave.
Yes, you have to assemble the HD520, but it is pretty easy (but heavy), bolt the bridge to the table, plug in the (pre-assembled) wire harnesses and you are ready to go.