What to Spend on Used Hardware

After using my Dahlgren/Suregrave 400EZ for the better part of this year, I've started to understand its limitations. It is a CNC engraver, and getting to to do much more than that is putting it to its limit. The wife has signed off on "getting something that doesn't have so many problems" (she only hears about when things go wrong). So, I have been shopping around and have been having trouble justifying the new, large format CNC wood routers. Several grand for something I will use as frequently as I do now seems steep.

That being said, I have my eye on a used Light Machines Benchtop CNC Router. It has a 22.5" x 24" working area (might be more, the documentation I'm seeing says axis travel is 22.5x24 but the router work area is 24x32). A 1.75 HP spindle accepting 1/4" and 1/2" collets. The feeds are what I'm used to with my Dahlgren (though I'm sure I can push things a bit harder than the Dahlgren). It has dust collection built in and the whole thing is encased for safety and cleanliness.

All in all, it sounds like a great machine for my needs.

All of that being said, I guess I don't know what I should be prepared to spend for the above assuming I'm only getting hardware. I know the software and controls will need to be updated as I do not want to keep around a Windows 95 machine. I plan on migrating the control electronics from my Dahlgren (Mesa 7i96 and DM542 drivers) over to the new one so that piece is sorted and I can continue using LinuxCNC to control.

What are your thoughts on the specs above? What would you be willing to pay for that kind of used hardware?

More specs:
Features
Some of the Benchtop CNC Router’s features include:

• A 1.75 horsepower motor
• Spindle speeds from 10,000 to 25,000 RPM
• Rapid traverse rates up to 100 ipm
• EIA RS-274D standard G&M code programming
• Aluminum machine base
• Feed rate and spindle speed override functions
• A built-in full-screen NC program editor
• An on-line help utility

Machine Specifications
Axis Travel

• X Axis 22.50" (571mm)
• Y Axis 24.00" (610mm)
• Z Axis 4.00" (100mm)
• Open Height 4.75" (120mm)

Router Work Area

• Table Size 24" x 32" (610mm x 812mm)
• Table load capacity 100 lbs. (45 kg)
• System Hardware B-3

Spindle

• Drive motor 1.75 hp (1300 watts)
• Speed Range 10,000 - 25,000 RPM
• Spindle Nose 1/2"
• Collet Capacity 1/4" and 1/2"

Feed Motors

• Linear Feed Rate 0.1 - 60 ipm (2 - 1525mm/min)
• Circular Feed Rate 0.1 - 40 ipm (2 -1015mm/min)
• Rapid Feed Rate 100 ipm (2540mm/min)

Power Requirements

• 120 VAC +10% - 15% (U.S. only)
• 47-63 Hz single phase, 3 wire
• 15 Amps / 1.8 KVA

Dimensions

• Width 32.5" (825mm)
  
• Depth 47.0" (1194mm)
• Height 34.0" (864mm)

Weight (Approximate)

• Net 420 lbs (190 kg)
• Shipping 520 lbs (236 kg)

For what it is worth, I've found a few auctions for the same model (or similar) that range from $250 - $1900 (one at $277, one at $675, one at $1900). The higher end is nowhere in my ballpark because I might as well buy a new one at that point.

So yeah, what do you think is reasonable?

That's a fair statement with a good qualifier. I'll see if I can dig up the MSRP from the 90s.

I have a hunch, however, that the specific percentage will have to be higher in this case because I don't expect the MSRP to rival industrial machines.

dzawacki - I see this post was from 2020 - do you still have your 400SEZ?

my e-mail is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thanks