Choosing a Spindle For Your Stepcraft D-Series CNC System *UPDATED* (Dremel, Dewalt, MM-1000, HF500)

Once you decide on a Stepcraft CNC System, the next most important decision is deciding which spindle to use to drive the cutter on your projects. The present lineup for the Stepcraft D-Series CNC systems includes the Dremel 4000, Dewalt DW611, MM-1000 and HF-500 Spindles. In this video I will explain the pros and cons of each as well as talking about proper maintenance for each spindle. At the end of this video you should have a very good idea of which spindle will best suit your needs and budget.
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[@CarlosOrmazabal]

Great clarifying vídeo. Thanks guys!

[@themakerway]

I wish I heard from you before buying my CNC, greats products in your page

[@CAgrampa1999]

With regards to the dust in all the different spindles would it be sensible to put a pre-filter on the spindles?

[@jim6402]

I’m looking at your d420 with dewalt router
I liked your video
Was wondering what software comes with. The unit

[@DrewTeter]

I'd love something just a little bit more powerful than the MM-1000. Maybe with a larger collet, like the ER16 or ER20. But that can run off of a 110v wall outlet. The shop I'm renting studio space from is wired for 30amps, but only 110v. So I don't think I can upgrade to the 2.2kw spindle. If there was a 1.5kw ATC spindle I'd be all over it.

[@FreeTheCross]

Hei! Thanks for the video. You say that hf-500 is great for detailed engraving. Can the MM-1000 do detailed engraving? Thank you.

[@Nicsos123]

FreeTheCross good question

[@StepcraftInc]

Yes they can both do detailed engraving very well. Typically when you are doing engraving or light duty work, you do not need a lot of power, so the HF500 is a good choice for that. The MM-1000 will do everything that the MM-1000 will with just as much accuracy. It is just twice the power. Sorry If I was not more clear in the video.

[@FreeTheCross]

@@StepcraftInc Thank you for your answer! I was getting worried, that i should have payed more attention to this before ordering. Thank you a lot and have a wonderful day!

[@GaoDY87]

The old HF500 had serious runout issue, more than .005. Replaced it with new HF500, runout got better (maybe .003?）, but still much worse than my Proxxon. It is frustrating...

[@StepcraftInc]

Where are you located? Have you spoken to support? in the USA?

[@GaoDY87]

@@StepcraftInc Wow thanks for the quick reply. Yes I have. It was last June when I first built my 840 with original HF500. Contacted support and they replaced my old one with new one (took quite a while...). And the new one still runs out, just better than before. Since then I had lived with it and didn't use it much... For smaller cut I just used my Proxxon. I do hope I had a non-runout HF500. If I still have option then I would probably switch to MM spindle... And yes I'm in the US.

[@StepcraftInc]

@@GaoDY87 If there is anything we can do further to help you, please let me know [e-mail] - Thank you - Erick

[@davidwhite2011]

What are the noise figures on the different models?

[@StepcraftInc]

I don't have actual noise readings. I will make it a point to get those soon. The problem with noise is that the spindle noise is only part of it. The "Real" noise comes from the tool engaging with the material you are cutting. This will almost always be louder than the motor noise. In order of noise though, the Dewalt is the loudest, followed by the Dremel (because it is whiny), the MM-1000 and the HF500 is the quietest - but once you start cutting - they all get loud depending on the material, RPM, Feed Rate and Cutting tool

[@davidwhite2011]

Thanks for the reply. I do a lot of engraving so for my use case, 90% engraving/V Bit, noise is something I can do without. I have used water cooled spindles that are so quiet you can talk next to them. I would assume a 500 watt spindle is pretty quiet though compared to the router motors. Mostly wondering the noise level on that small spindle. Also expected run out for it would be useful. Also how easy are the spindle locks on them to use when mounted...

[@dmyers9230]

Excellent video and information, thank you. I’m a DeWalt user, but could see moving to a MM-1000 at some point.

[@StepcraftInc]

@@dmyers9230 Thank you!!. I was too before I started with STEPCRAFT. My first CNC had a Dewalt. Burned it out every year, but I cut a LOT on it. Let us know if we can ever be any help! - Erick

[@StepcraftInc]

@@davidwhite2011 The HF500 spindle is going to be on par with a water-cooled spindle. It is very quiet - it only starts to get louder at high (max) RPM. But in the 18k range it is not bad at all. Runout is very low on that spindle 0.0002" or better

[@tratzum]

Man I want one of these so bad but the cost is just insane.

[@Z-add]

For the q series you have another high power spindle

[@StepcraftInc]

Yes, we have a few spindle solutions for the Q-series up to 2.2KW ATC. I will do a video on those in the next two weeks

[@Z-add]

@@StepcraftInc great. Please mention whether horizontal aggregates can be attached to the spindle.

[@alaazorba1807]

A Stepkraft machine was purchased, its work is failing, screws come out of its place, the one who buys it will find what I say leave it to the people to try it better

[@vadimkorob2689]

I think Stepcraft spindles have too many limitations, especially when you look at the price of the machines themselves.
These are certainly good machines, but a little overpriced due to this spindles limitations IMO!

[@alaazorba1973]

I have a Steepcraft machine that I did not benefit from, you are just false advertisements, there is no website for you and no origin. This is a German game for many children.D600

[@verngodsey2383]

Thanks Eric!