New Version of CNC Mini Mill

Hi All,

Here is a picture of my latest prototype of the CNC Mini Mill. A lot more aluminum for a heavier and stronger machine. I will attempt to use a 2HP Craftsman router as my spindle. I'll post videos of it cutting when I take them.

Thanks,

Andy

Package Shipping Rate for the USPS Just Went Up

Hi All,

Time to place some quick orders! I just noticed that the USPS raised their rates as of Jan. 18th. They say the average increase is 8.5%. Ouch!! They do say that they do not use fuel surcharges or any other stuff like that.

It will take me a day or two to adjust my website rates so if you need something order it quick and you can squeeze out a better shipping price.

Thanks,

Andy

Shipping Services

Hi All,

I just wanted to give everyone a heads up as to how and why I use the USPS for our company's shipping service.

PRICES

• I believe the USPS has everybody beat with their Flat Rate Priority mail envelopes and boxes. They offer those envelopes and boxes for free as well.That's hard to beat. I am pretty sure that no other company is offering these right now. These envelopes and boxes work well for smaller items that fit into them. The heavier items is where the USPS is slightly more expensive and takes a little longer on shipping. For International shipping the USPS steps up and again with prices that are significantly lower than the competition especially on large items. The competition is competitive with Canadian shipping but anything overseas they aren't even close.

TRACKING

• This is where the USPS loses a lot of clout. I will admit that their tracking is pretty poor. Most of the time when I print a label and the customer gets the tracking number it does not update and says something like "the label was printed but that does not mean that the package has been dropped off". This usually results in an email from the customer which I then reassure that I did drop their package off. UPS & Fedex have excellent tracking systems. I can't really say anything bad about their systems.
  

CHECKOUT INTEGRATION

• I believe this is a lot more important for me than our customers. This allows us the chance to take our customers information directly from the shopping cart into Paypal and then directly into the shipping information page where the shipping label is created. I know that Paypal only uses the USPS and UPS. I am not sure about Fedex.

SUMMARY

• For me its hard to beat the service that I get from the USPS. Their good service and low prices allow me to charge less for shipping services than some of my competition. I think the only reason that some companies do not use their services is that their is a stigma that you are not a "real" business unless you use UPS or Fedex. I know that UPS rates go down as your shipping volume goes up but only a few companies pass that savings on to you. Many just charge higher rates and absorb the extra as profit.

Thanks,

Andy

Broke My Knee Cap!

Hi All,

I have the misfortune of having a broken kneecap. It is pretty painful. Looks like I am going to be getting some hired help this month.

Andy

Free CNC Plans

Hi All,

I have decided to create another blog where I can share some of my projects that I won't be building. This is my contribution to the hobby CNC community. I will need to add a file sharing link or site so that the plasn can be hosted an accessed by people that want to view them.


The link to this new site is http://freecncplans.blogspot.com/

Thanks,

Andy

2009 - Modular CNC's New Projects for this Year

It's been too long since I have added to the blog, so I decided to make a list of new CNC projects that I want to introduce this year.

• Nema-34 motor mounts
• 3/4-6 acme lead screws with drive nuts
• All plastic construction CNC router
• All aluminum construction Mini Mill
• Turn-Key machine
• Complete my programming guide
  

Let me know if any body has anything to add to this list.

Thanks,

Andy