Ultimate Bee CNC Mechanical Kit First Impressions Review

Thank you sir! Looking foward to seeing Archie devour aluminum and hard woods. All the best for 2023.

Perfect timing just ordered my kit a few days ago. Thanks for your overview and call outs. Glad to hear my purchase for my little shop will hopefully work out. I have all kinds of questions even though having watched countless hours of cnc videos. I built a RS-CNC two years ago but due to life never got to use it before the 3D printed parts broke. Topic for videos: - What attachments do you have? (dust boot, air assist, bit touch plate, etc.) - What bits to you use? (type for job, sizes, etc.) - What speeds are you getting out of the unit? (material types, recommended starting points) - What software are you using? (seems like Mach3 or 4 but are there any others you have used that do the job) - What controller are you using? (I have all kinds of 3d Printer boards but not sure if dedicated controller is better) No worries about the videography skills I appreciate the comments and feedback.

This looks pretty solid

My 7575 Ultimate B kit literally just arrived from Bulkman. Everything was packed and protected really well. So far, I’m very impressed. Will start the build next week. In terms of a detailed review, how are you driving the rig and what’s your electrical set up looking like?

Thank you, much appreciated.

Thanks for your videos. I am trying to figure out what I need to add to a mechanical kit to get to a full running system. I am considering the 2.4Nm NEMA 23 motors. I have drivers and power supplies and a controller already from my existing system. I am thinking that all I need to add is a spindle; does that sound right?

Hi, Im about to buy almost the same. 1. Did you make the / where did you buy the worktable/spoilboard with t-slot (not included in the pack and they don't even sell it)? What are the exact parameters of it ? 2. How did you assemble the woktable on the frame, where are the screw holes? 3. Bulkman says in their description the Z-axis travel / vertical height is 18-15 cm (18 minus the bit lenght). I am curious is this still that much WITH the worktable+spoilboard on the frame or only WITHOUT it? 4. How much time it took to assemble the machine? Thanks in advance

Congrats on the build and glad to hear that Bulkman was very attentive to your issues. I also had issues with the linear rail runners however Bulkman tried all kinds of ways to wiggle out of sending replacement parts. Anyway, i soldiered on and time will tell whether I'll regret using questionable linear rail runners. Openhost Web Services previously asked a few good questions. I'm also keen to know where you got the dust shoe from? The one that came with the kit is horrendous. Trying to print one for mine right now and nothing quite fits. I see you've got the 2.2kW water-cooled spindle also? What speeds are you getting from the unit and what settings are you using (i.e. steps per mm, etc.)? Yours look fast. I'm using the xpro V5 and the stock high torque Nema23 motors and I'm tapping out at around 2600mm/min for x and y axis. Hope to hear more from you soon!

Hey, this looks like a solid machine especially for the price. I saw your video on cutting aluminum. I was looking to cut mostly aluminum. Everything look solid, I am just a little uneasy of the height of the side plates, and the length of the z axis. I was looking to get the 500x750 model, so it will be a little more rigid. In you opinion now owning the machine, would you recommend it for my use case? Ill be using smaller bits 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, and some occasional 3/8. Thanks in advance (:

I was originally looking at ratrig CNC machine, do you know if ball screw safe to go longer or use rack and pinion? I am hoping to make a machine that can have 8x4 sheets put inside and machine them at some point

Hi, thanks for the video and all the information. I have the Ultimate bee 750x750 with grbl high current controller. Whats your suggestion on the feed rate (mm/min) I should use with 6mm end mills and smaller on hardwoods like oak, teak, mahogany etc. ?

How has this held up? Would you make the purchase again? I’ve narrowed my first machine down to the Ultimate Bee or the RatRig Stronghold One to cut some 3D printer enclosure panels out of ACM/PC and mill aluminum. How does it do with aluminum?

Which controller did you get with the Ultimate Bee and are you still happy with the unit?

Hello , could you measure the length of your Y or X axis ballscrews. I'm interessted in the length gap between the ballscrew and the allumium profile. I'm building it off the shelf. Thanks for your great video!

which controller did you get? I am going to purchase one but am hung on which one to get.

What are your thoughs on the Z axis bearings mounted to the x axis and the rails and motor moving up and down with the z axis. this is backwards to most set ups. But this is the way I am considering doing it with my build. Does it seem ridged enough? can you tell any difference between this set up and the normal set up where the rails and motor are mounted solid and the bearing move up and down with the axis?

Hello! Have you got a guide on how you prepared and fixed the spoil board and the ply base?

@3:43 Why do you store your DeWalt powertools on your X gantry?

Im having trouble getting my diagonal measurements within the 1-2mm as stated in the instructions. Did you have any issues with squaring it?

My dust shoe doesn't fit between the spindle and Z axis extrusion and it looks like I bought pretty much the same you did. Where did you buy yours from and can you confirm that the distance on your machine is about 15mm between the Z aluminum extrusion and spindle? Thank you