My Tormach PCNC1100 arrived today

[pstockley]

Just took delivery this morning. I opened the crate before going to work to check for damage. I haven't had a chance to have a really good look at it but from initial impressions, I am impressed. The quality looks good and the machine is very robust. I had a 6x26 VMC before and it is much more robust than this. Given that the 6x26 weighed around 900lbs with a cast iron base and this weighs over 1100lbs without a base it isn't surpising.

I will post to this thread my impressions as I get the thing going. I am welding up a table at the moment. By the time I get this done and powder coated it will probably be a month before the thing is operational.

[tyler774]

Hey What part of the country you in? If you are from Manitoba let me know as I'm considering getting myself one also.
I was watching an e-bay aution for a Prolight CNC mill, it's smaller but get this, it sold for $9500 CAN! The Tormach seems like a much greater deal for the $.
.
Looking forward to your future posts.

[pstockley]

I am in Toronto

[levelzero]

I'm in Vancouver and am also looking at the Tormach. I have yet to find anything even comparable to it in the same price range.

My biggest concern is with it's ease of use .. or and lack there of. I am new to machining so I am looking for something relativeley easy to run.

[pstockley]

Well ease of use is probably more to do with the software you run for machine control and CAM. I have a lot of experience using manual mills and lathes over the 15 or so years I have been involved in model engineering. Even so it is still quite a steep learning curve getting your head around G code and CAM and so on. However, its just a case of being patient and working your way methodically through it all. Mach seems pretty user friendly and the conversational wizards seem like a good way to learn the basics.

The biggest external factor is probably what you want to make? This has a lot to do with how complicated things get.

[levelzero]

Well to start I want to make flanges and other items along those lines. Nothing overly complicated. Maybe pick up some small run contracts.

I have never used a milling machine, manual or cnc. I'm more then comfortable with computers and CAD programs so I'm hoping for the parts I need it will be as simple as bolt some metal to the bed and press go.

How do you find the speed of the machine? What about the noise?

[DSpeck]

pstockley, I'm in T.O. as well. Would you consider letting me come over and have a look at the machine? I am looking around at small CNC mills, and this does sound like a winner so far... I don't think I could get it into my house, but you never know in the future...

[pstockley]

Sure, once its up and running in a month or so.

[DSpeck]

That's great - I'll look forward to seeing it. If I am a tinge green with envy, don't be too surprised, though...

[MeCnc]

I am looking into the tormach, also , and would be interested in finding out about it's capabilities. I , too, am considering putting one in my basement. ( new to cnczone and mini-milling).

[d2gdesign]

I am looking into the tormach, also , and would be interested in finding out about it's capabilities. I , too, am considering putting one in my basement. ( new to cnczone and mini-milling).

I am also new to the forum, (first post), interested in the tormach to start a side business, and work downtown T.O.

I would be intersted in seeing one of these machines run and just meet some people that use them. Pstockley, maybe you should be calling up the company for some referral commission or something! I'm very interested in seeing how you like it so far and some of the work you have done.

d.

[pstockley]

I wish I could show you what I have done with it. The truth is I am still finishing the stand. Its taken a lot longer than I had hoped to build. Don't want to make another one anytime soon!