Buying Tips CNC RatRig Order

What should you consider when making your purchase? What should you definitely order?
I base my opinion mainly on the RatRig Stronghold One, but these opinions apply equally to the Stronghold Pro.

PRICE INDICATION: €1,900.00 EUR

Stronghold One Configurable Kit

"Starting at approx €1000" ??

The main page of the different machines you can buy can be a bit confusing. The Stronghold One Configurable Kit is 'from approx €1000,-', but configured you are quickly around €1900 and the Stronghold Pro at €3000 both in their smallest size.

Stronghold One or Pro?

On the Stronghold One product page you will find a list of the main differences and also a Buying Guide . So read both of these as well. If I had had a choice, I would of course have chosen the Stronghold Pro, but the Stronghold One meets my requirements perfectly, which is mainly woodworking. But it can also mill aluminum perfectly. The machine is sturdy, heavy and solid.

Yes, the Pro has Ballscrews for 'less backlash' and HGR rails that are thicker... But do you really miss it with woodwork? The possible play with backlash is less than when your wood shrinks or expands a little because of a temperature change.

What size?

The Killerbee size was always mentioned as total size. The Strongholds are named after their actual work surface. So keep this in mind when comparing other brands, but also if the size actually fits on your table, and in your workshop.

My advice would be to go as big as your space and budget will allow. You can do smaller work on a big machine, but you can't do bigger work on a small machine.

In my case the 750x750 works fine. And the table+cabinet it's in is 1.25m L x 1.25m W x 2.2m H... that's a lot of space

Which milling cutter?

Reason why I mention the Configurable Kit and not the Standard Kit is because I find the RatRig ER11 Router not sufficient for these machines. This is actually a clone just like a Makita / Dewalt Milling machine and cannot be set to speed via the controller. In addition, the ER11 can handle a maximum of 6mm or 1/4 inch bits.

In terms of milling cutter, you can choose the AMB Spindle; this is perfectly suited for all your woodwork and easy to set up. If you are already more experienced with assembling CNC machines, you can go for the 2.2kW Spindle with VFD, but this is a bit more difficult to build.

Other parts

  • In terms of motors, go for the High Torque version. The small price difference is negligible compared to the difference in reliability
  • For controller I chose the OpenBuilds BlackBox X32. Simple all in one and controllable through OpenBuilds Control . I find the Touch Controller overkill; I have a laptop within reach.
  • I find the emergency stop and the XYZ probe both practical, but you can also purchase them separately.

Order now

Below are some useful things to order right away, which will save you shipping costs if you need to reorder later.

Price indication: €90,00 EUR

XYZ Touch Probe Plus

With this XYZ probe you can easily determine the working coordinate 0.0.0 of the material you are going to process.
Tip: if you only want to measure your Z height (for example in the middle of your workpiece) you should turn it upside down.

This probe is included in the standard kit and can also be selected in the configurator

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Price indication: €7,50 EUR

Emergency Stop Button

An emergency stop; essential for every electrical machine.
If I have to explain to you what it is for, you really shouldn't buy a CNC.
When you purchase the Standard Kit, this emergency stop is already included.

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Price indication: €18,50 EUR

Cable Multicore 4 Conductor - 20AWG 10m

4conductor means 4 internal wires. This is used for example for your motors.

In theory, enough is supplied to connect your machine, but that assumes that you have your controller box close by.

These cables are hard to find cheaply, so order them at the same time as your purchase to save on delivery costs.

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Price indication: €9,00 EUR

Cable Multicore 3 Conductor - 24AWG 10m

3conductor means 3 internal wires. This is used for example for your limit switches, but also for example for your XYZ probe and your AMB Spindle data control.
In principle, enough is supplied to connect your machine, but that assumes that you have your controller box close by. And on my Stronghold One 750x750, the standard data cable supplied by AMB was too short to even reach the controller and had to be extended. (The power cable is also only 4 meters; that seems long, but it just makes it through all the cable ducts on my machine)

These cables are hard to find cheaply, so order them at the same time as your purchase to save on delivery costs.

Price indication: €19,00 EUR

Xtension Connector Sets

These connectors are not strictly necessary, but I use them to have extra 'disconnection points' in my cable. This way I don't have to disconnect all cables from the cable duct for everything. I have everything directly at my Z axis with a connector, so that the spindle, lighting and such can easily be disconnected during maintenance.

Take 4 of each size and you'll never run short

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Price indication: €14,50 EUR

M8 Cap Head Screw 16mm 50 pieces

As with the Tnut nuts, these are always handy to have extra and necessary if you are tightening anything onto your table or machine extrusions.
You can order them directly from RatRig, buy them from RVSpaleis, or scour your local hardware provider.

Price indication: €9,00 EUR

T-nut Drop in M8 50 pieces

You get the right amount of Tnuts when building your machine, but you can never have enough in my opinion; especially if you also have the workbench, or use Slot10 extrusions elsewhere. These nuts are indispensable when you want to fasten anything to those extrusions.
Order about 50 pieces at once with your order at RatRig, otherwise the delivery costs are quite high and you are better off buying via Amazon or Motedis.nl

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Disclaimer

  • All references are written on my own initiative and are my own opinion.
  • As always, your own common sense applies when purchasing referenced items and my
    opinion just one of many opinions.

  • When this article refers to Amazon, these are affiliate links.
  • If you place an order via such links, I will receive compensation for this, without it costing you a cent extra. Any discounts will also continue to apply to you.
  • Other links are provided without compensation.
  • I do not have any personally identifiable information about placed orders and cannot provide support on this.

  • This list is in no way affiliated with the mentioned producers, sales channels or their staff.

  • BASt in no way claims to be an authority on the use and maintenance of your equipment and work.
  • You are and remain responsible for any action you take based on content on this page.
  • Any liability regarding products linked to is expressly rejected.
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