Used Thermwood Router

[Steve Williams]

Hello All

I am interestedn in the possibility of buying a used Thermwood C40, it has a 5x5 table.
I am a newbie to eCabs, though have spent the last 2 weeks living and breathing it.
I can now do a typical kitchen/built-in ( all falt work, no curves yet ).

Anyhow, I was curious as to the actual process of using Ecabs.
As I understand it, you design in Ecabs and then hit the CNC BUTTON.
This may sound like a stupid question but does the file go straight to the router, you load your sheet and stand back?
I am sure there are many other steps involved. Are there other software programming steps ( different software ) between the design process and the final cutting process.
I take it you need actual hardware training on the C40 itself as well.

Thanks for all your help

Steve

[Damon Nabors]

Is it a dual 5x5 or single table? You would want to take some machine training at thermwood. Once you have your machine set up and all your tooling programed then you can design your work, click the CNC button to create the TWD file. Once you have the TWD, dwnload it at the controller in CN (Control Nesting), nest your parts, write CNC code , Start cutting.
Once again, that is assuming everything is set up at the machine properly. After going to machine training, you would probably want a tech to come out and set it up for you and help you get it up and going. Once you start cutting repetative cabinet parts, you will get in a comfort Zone, then you will want to try something new and you will pull you hair out trying to figure out how to make it work.

Good luck


Damon

[Damon Nabors]

Another major thing to consider is POWER. Do you have adequate electrical power to run one of these machines. They are also set up for different voltage ranges (3ph 208, 230,440,480) so you would want to make sure that you have or can convert to the power rating of the machine. That was the major hurdle for me since mine is sitting in my back yard, I had to do some convincing to the city utility department that my HOBBY required 3ph power in a residential area. (CONVINCING=$10,000)

[Forrest Chapman]

Steve,

There are several things to consider with the 5x5 table. If it is a C40 then it is a single table 5x5(Twin tables are C42 models). What will you machine? Only 5x5 material? This router is good for baltic birch parts or fixturing small parts. Maybe even setting up to do carvings. It is not as efficient at processing cabinet parts which are mostly cut from 4x8 sheets. Also most of the C40 5x5 routers I see on the market are belt driven motors. Not as dependable as the new HSD motors.

That being said if you need it for cutting mostly small parts you can get some great deals at auctions. There is one on irsauction.com right now that could be gotten for less than $10k I'll bet.


Forrest

[Jason Susnjara]

Hello All

I am interestedn in the possibility of buying a used Thermwood C40, it has a 5x5 table.
I am a newbie to eCabs, though have spent the last 2 weeks living and breathing it.
I can now do a typical kitchen/built-in ( all falt work, no curves yet ).

Anyhow, I was curious as to the actual process of using Ecabs.
As I understand it, you design in Ecabs and then hit the CNC BUTTON.
This may sound like a stupid question but does the file go straight to the router, you load your sheet and stand back?
I am sure there are many other steps involved. Are there other software programming steps ( different software ) between the design process and the final cutting process.
I take it you need actual hardware training on the C40 itself as well.

Hi Steve,

Once you design a job, you will select the Create TWD file in eCabinets. This .twd file will then get sent to the machine via cd, networking, or usb flash drive. Go to the machine and load the .twd file, nest and then press the button "Write CNC" and the program will show up automatically on the controller screen. From there you press the Start button to cut out your eCabinet job(s).



Thanks for all your help

Steve

[Michael Kowalczyk]

Hey Steven,
1st thing you should do is get the serial # of the CNC and call Thermwood service and find out about the machine's history.

#2 is determine what you are willing to pay for it knowing what it's history is and what it may cost to bring it current with today's software. It may be an older system and need upgrades to work efficiently with Ecabs, CN, and the profiler.

#3 make sure the Transformer is matched to your incoming power. Not sure but I think if you have 220 coming in, a 240 transformer would be useless to you.

#4 If you are successful in getting it, I would STRONGLY recommend having Thermwood do the install, a quick inspection/PM and go to Dale for the CNC training.

#5 you will also need a complete check list of what is needed like Vac pump, adequate Dust collection, adequate clean compressed air, tooling, enough 3 phase amperage in your shop. Will the space where the CNC will be subject to less than 50 degrees or more than 90 degrees? if yes do you have HVAC for it. If not you may not be able to run the CNC under those conditions. If our shop gets to 50 we typically won't run the CNC but if we need to I have a HVAC unit if it is really imperative that it be run.

#6 make sure you have enough money for any contingency such as a bad spindle, servo, driver. It may work good running under power but without actually cutting material you have no idea what it will do under a load. Trust me on this one. You probably have no idea what their maintenance program was and if it is up for auction you can bet that it less than normal. So be prepared.

5x5 tables are, IMHO, phasing out because Russia is moving towards 4x8 because Europe has. Besides that 5x5 is getting harder and harder to get because the Russians are being difficult to deal with according to my suppliers and with whats been going on in the news lately, they might be isolated soon.

I have a C42 with twin 5x5's and am always searching for alternative suppliers of 5x5 birch but the Chinese stuff have such inferior quality and they end up like potato chips. I also have a C40 with a 5x8 table that I use for Ecab.

[Steve Williams]

Thanks for your help guys
That are many points to chew over.

Steve

[Michael Kowalczyk]

Well Steve, Did you get it?
Were you looking at the one from IRS auctions?
I was amazed that an older C40 5x5 would bring 20K but then again when I was at the Cabinet Industries auction, a few years ago, a model similar but a few years newer that would not even run and had no vac pump went for around 21K . They sure do hold their value.

[Forrest Chapman]

I'm a little surprized as well at the price. Remember the 10% that gets tacked on the end. In the last few years I've seen that exact model sell for 8 to 12K consistantly. You never know when your biding against someone who really wants it.

Forrest