First of all what a wonderful forum..

I'm a newbie to this, I'm looking at retro-fitting a mill drilling machine. Just need some advice on what type of motors, controllers and software I will need. I want to be able to cut, mill, pocket and engrave Aluminium.

If this machine isn't suited, what would you recommend?

Here are the specification on the machine and a photo

MODEL HM-30
CODE M128
Spindle taper 3MT
Spindle speeds(#/rpm) 12(150-2080)
Spindle to Table(mm) 457
Column Diameter(mm) 115
Spindle to Column(mm) 200
Table size(mm) 810 x 240
Longitudinal travel(mm) 585
Transverse Travel(mm) 200
Overall height(mm) 1100
Weight(kg) 325
Motor(kW) 1.5
Voltage 240


Thanks Heaps

Hey Newbie, Welcome aboard. This is a common machine, one of the variant themes of the Rong Fu 30. More common and probably a better choice is a variant of the RF-35 with an R8 spindle, slightly larger table, and bigger motor. Check out the Mill Drills at Grizzley, Harbor Freight, and Enco for comparisons. Then go look at HomeCNC for an example of what you can do to this thing with a wheelbarrow full of blood sweat and tears. Before you buy I would give a good look at the Sieg X-3. Its more money, but has a square collum, a real benefit if your gonna CNC. Good Luck.

Thanks for the reply Halfnutz

I have been looking at the X3 that you recomended I stumbled upon another model that also has a square column (larger cross travel), would this be a better purchase? The only thing that bothers me about is the head tilts could this be an issue?

Yes, I do want to CNC on this machine. Has anybody converted a drill mill into a CNC similar to the HM45 below?

Thanks again

Below are the specs of the two machines

Left
MODEL HM45
Spindle taper 3MT
Spindle speeds(#/rpm) 6(95-1600)
Spindle Stroke(mm) 130
Spindle to Table(mm) 500
Column Diameter(mm) dovetailed
Spindle to Column(mm) 270
Table size(mm) 730 x 210
Longitudinal travel(mm) 500
Transverse Travel(mm) 210
Overall height(mm) 1100
Weight(kg) 350
Motor(kW) 1.1
Voltage 240/415

Right
MODEL X3
MILLING & DRILLING CAPACITY 25mm
FACE MILLING CAPACITY 50mm
SPINDLE TAPER 3MT
SPINDLE SPEED(VARIABLE) 100-2000rpm
MAX. SPINDLE TO TABLE 300mm
MAX. LONGITUDINAL TRAVEL 400mm
MAX. CROSS TRAVEL 150mm
WEIGHT 150kg
MOTOR 600W/240V

I've converted a dovetail mill like the one above. You can take a look at my name in the photo gallery. Feel free to fire questions at me.