To anyone looking at buying a machine from AccTek, please read this carefully.

I've been working with AccTek on a custom (and much more expensive) CNC machine for about 6 months now. Provided the deposit 4 months ago and was promised that the machine will be finished in 2 months (that actually came immediately after the deposit... the quote stated 1.5 months completion time). In the last 4 months it has been one issue after another. Each of these issues I've tried to work with the manufacturer to resolve, and most of them I might have even been Ok with. However lately there have been a few issues that I can't accommodate and the response is basically "we're not changing it, it's 90% of what you ordered so it's close enough". Now to clarify, each of the issues has been about a specific customization that was agreed and documented in the quote and the invoice. The final nail in the coffin was the size of the machine itself. From the start, I explained very clearly that my space (my garage as it's for personal use) can only accommodate a machine of a set size, and made sure that they can make what I need before paying the deposit. The machine was built too long and too wide. And the suggestions from the manufacturer are: "Find a bigger space" and "Sell this machine in your local".

I've been extremely patient with the manufacturer and have tried working on many different solutions. I've been understanding in the requirements that I could accommodate around. However when the machine simply doesn't fit my space, "buy it or lose the deposit" is not an acceptable answer.

Note that this isn't my first machine out of China. I had a great experience before with QuickCNC (highly recommend them, DM if you would like a sales agent contact, mine has been fantastic). This time around I decided to try AccTek as they were a little cheaper and were recommended by someone I trust.

If I end up getting a fix or any realistic resolution from the company, I'll update the post to let everyone know. But otherwise, assume I've been screwed by the company and please tell anyone looking for a CNC to stay away.

PS: I've asked another person who bought a standard machine from them - it was also late, though only by a little, and with the standard machine too they messed things up and the person had to figure out how to fix a few things, though thankfully those were minor.

Sounds to me you got what you paid for. You thought it was a great idea to buy direct from China, so you became the dealer, installer and troubleshooter and the one responsible to make it work out of the crate. I believe everyone has known that for at least 15-20 years now. It's tough you have trouble, but your situation is why not everyone buys direct from China.

I've purchased CNC machines from China before. They make fantastic machines, just not this particular supplier.

My last machine worked perfectly straight out of the box, just had to connect the wires and that's it. And was able to hit travel speeds of 70m/min.

I wanted to try another manufacturer that came highly recommended, and they ended up being awful. Hence my posting warning here to others.

What was true 15-20 years ago has not been the case for a long time. You just need to look at all the importers who buy from China and sell with a 300-400% markup to see that CNC's manufactured in China can be very high quality. The only question is who to buy from.

For the record, I'm not looking for sympathy, just warning others.

That is a good bit of diatribe for "I screwed Up" So shameing the vendor will maybe make them take the machine back. sounds like the single issue is the size in your garage. I have bought several large machines from china. So I understand the delay issues. the only one I had wa at the outset of the pandemic and shipping.

Over the years of being in the CNC World, I have spoken with several of the Chinese machine builders. It is scary how cheap they can offer a machine built to your specs but the limited legal recourse, tech support and warranty (If Any) offset the price. Have you tried to get live phone support during business hours? The last time I had to deal with a Chinese manufacturer for support on a pressing issue, I couldn't get anyone to answer a phone call, so I had to email my question(s) and wait at least a day for a response.

Buying a quality custom built machine made here in the US like the machines we build at MTC, maybe more expensive due to material and labor costs, but you gain legal recourse, accountability, the warranty, service and support from a company within the US.

Cam-master is made in the US and offers a good 5X5 router size

Well I am sorry that you went down that path. Buying a China made machine that is. You are probably just screwed. Just like you are going to be screwed on support and parts.

Guys,
I'm not sure why everyone is ragging on Chinese machines. Yes, there's risk in doing this. But no, not all manufacturers are like this, and there are really good manufacturers that have great support. I've had personal experience with one provided a fantastic machine that was ready to go and perfectly dialed in straight out of the create. And when I screwed up and needed support they had an engineer on a chat with me same day.

Yes, you're losing out on a number that you can call and talk to someone immediately, but you're paying so much less for the machine, while getting so much more customizability.

I understand that people have bad experiences, that's just the risk of ordering from China. This post is meant for those for whom this risk makes sense, to warn them not to work this specific manufacturer.

As a tech that works on these CNC machines both in woodworking, and metal fabrication I have dealt with working on Chinese machines but that is also why I refuse to service them any more.

1. Waiting until late evening to text, or speak with tech support.

2. Difficulty with getting support and parts.

3. At best adequate fit and finish.

And the biggest most of you know that they have blatantly stolen, copied design and tech that other companies have spent years and millions of dollar to bring to market, only to have a subpar copy come on market and charge 1/3 the cost and give a crap ton of headaches.

Look at CNC zone and you will seen the section of Chinese machines have many more post vs any of the other router forums and it started years after most of the forums, if that doesn't send up red flags with a marching band them nothing will.

Stop ignoring what these companies are doing and justifying it because it cost less.

That's really great insight, thank you for that.

I'm wondering if your issues with copying/quality/etc extend to Chinese manufacturers who make machines sold by US/EU companies like Laguna?

Because they are rebranded with a US MFG, doesn't mean you got a better machine. You get the same fit, finish, quality and in some cases the same support.

A answer to your question is YES I put them in the same category.