I can only agree with that.
I also do requests for quotations, not only through the business but I also use a socalled purchase department. After several emails, and requesting certificates of quality, tech. data or security sheets for the products, the vendor has to qualify and that he is eligible for doing business with my company. Then we talk about money with big discounts weather we do procurement as a reseller or producer...

What Ken said about the special price made to friends is absolutely true...

Greetings
Claus
Of course this is not valid if you buy one geckodrive or 10 screws...

My route is slightly different, I'll put on my "small-time-one-man-show-contractor" attire, or wear a collared T-shirt or jump-suit with some company logo printed, with a pair of worn safety boots. Walk into some crowded hardware store & throw a few jargon around and ask for a quote inclusive of delivery, term-cash. the price difference would be within 5% & if it exceeds, that means the jargon were wrongly applied...
Same applies to machine shops, laser cut... etc etc... I don't even need to ask for quantity discount. ;)

Guys you are all showing me I have to haggle my way through for which I have done. What gets my goat up is the short sightedness of over charging. In an era of marketing by referal, there are plenty of companies who dont have favour with me and the dissapointing thing is many are Australian companies.

Have to tell you this one.

Big company selling ply and MDF has show room with "Trade" Price list on counter. I look at list and see their pricing is higher then a chain retail outlet. I ask him to confirm A: they commonly sell to public B: what their best discount price is for 4 sheets. They tell me they always sell to public and I'm lucky to get Trade price even on 4 sheets. I let him know (nicely) his pricing is to high. He doesnt budge, I walk and will always peg them as a "ripoff merchant" I call on another supplier I was referred to 6 years ago and guess what! Their pricing policy still stands. They sell as if they want every customer who walks in to buy from them. The end of story is I saved 32.5%, I wish my bank savings grew at 32.5%

I seem to grumble in this tread some so here is a shout out. Melbourne Australia----- "Tile Importers" -------- bloody sharp pricing every day.

Well Guys I'm now moving to the construction started Phase!

HERE WE GO

OK, Over recent times I have looked, listened, lurked and purchased, Now is the time to build. I will officially cut steel today and start the process. I have had great fun being a virtual MM participant and now I'll get my hands dirty (and bloody)

The trade price is a scam for the retail mugs, for example, I've seen plumbing supplies charged to the tradie, at 90% off the trade price.
Other scams are the free gift at the end of the month, the weekly prize, the 2 for 1 offer, the manufacturers rebate. Go to a trade show and see how often the big door prize is awarded to a favorite customer.
(Yes, I know I'm bitter and cynical it's just that I never win these prizes)

Still it must work in the suppliers favour or they wouldn't do it.

OK a quick update:

BIG thanks to Rick for the lend of his metal circular saw. Sliced the rails to size in 20min. also the base plate edge is 29.7mm from the kerf so it all worked easy!

Big thanks to Chris who turned up the next day will all the rail grinding gear setup ready to go!

Dont Laugh Yet! My control box is a suitcase!

Please post some pics of your evolution. :)

I am also not able to decide if I post pics of my control box or not, as the maker made the box too big by mistake :)

Besser, Anil,
Like real estate, over sized control box is an asset! You will have cooler temperature, less layout restrictions & luxury of organizing your wiring however you fancy. Last but not the least, you will be smiling when you decided to upgrade your electronics & control.
Merry x'mas

In the USA, we always say, "bigger is better". My box is 20"x20"x10". Its big enough, I may strip the MOBO & HDD out of my PC and mount it in the box, strap a screen on top, and just hang the keyboard off the side!

Krasch,

That is a nice size box but mine (if you are bragging) is 30"x20"x8". I like having a large enough space to work. It is a bit big but there is plenty room and it stays cool with the fan setup like the plans.

I know others put their computer inside the box but I don't like the extra heat in there. My box is at the rear of the table while my computer is at the front, 0,0 of the table.

Control Box
 

Ok here are some Photos.

Like I said it's a Breifcase, it is to be moved between several machines pending which will be doing the work. It's half way there.
http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/a...Control001.jpg

This is the plug outs for drives, usb, 1x220VAC I have another 15 pins in this plugset free.
http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/a...Control002.jpg

Other side is the Power in, 3x220VAC out from VFD, USB
http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/a...Control004.jpg

Front Panel, need more buttons and custom filter sys
http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/a...Control003.jpg

THE GUTS! Still needs SS+BOB, wiring, Baffeling for air flow and shielding
http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/a...Control006.jpg
http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/a...Control005.jpg

Now you can Laugh!

Love it!

Pretty neat indeed. I have only one suggestion.... "Do not bring that with you on an airplane".. :eek:

It could get a little hairy for you buddy. :)

GJ

Great design, recycling is everything...:)

Yeah a plane trip may be trouble....the flux capacitor.... may interfere with the avionics.

Claus: I am recycling as much as possible and using common parts as well.

Coolant pump and radiator, air filter will be automotive "just something I had lying around"
Table Legs:"just something I had lying around"
Table Feet: "just something I had lying around"
Control Boxes:"just something I had lying around"
Sensors: "just something I had lying around" reversing sensors (will be fun configuring them)
Springs:"just something I had lying around" old mattress base springs
Turnbuckles for springs: "just something I had lying around"

The list goes on...
Sometimes I get more enjoyment thinking laterally then spending cash (sometimes)

Besser,

You make you MM so it will fit in a large suite case????

Interesting idea.

Don't know if I have a 15foot by 7foot case hanging around! I'd have to put the handles on the bottom.

Hello from Geelong
 

Hi Besser,

How is it going. If you havent obtained ER collets yet, I get them shipped in from Hong Long, great supplier and cheap quality product.

Statrt on 2 MMs yesterday, construction taking place in Mates fctory in Bayswater.

regards

Graeme

Been to long between drinks! well had my head down in the business. Well started again on the MM. My Two head aches:
1: Deviating from design (there is a reason)
2: Working with thicker frame material (it weighs so much)

Well the intention is to have the MM multi purpose and I have organised a custom 100mm deep waterbath for the table. This will facilitate the plasma cutter but also necessitates a solid frame. I now have to move the table around with the forklift! grrr

As the working area is 12'x6' (please dont call it 3600x1800 to many MDF experts have already tried that one out on me) with the gantry bridging the 12', every thing is BIG.

I'm looking forward to getting this finished!

wow! I'd love to see some photos of that beast

How is the project going?
 

Quick heelo to see how you are getting on with the MM

Graeme