Best CNC Benchtop Mill Bang for the Buck

[fuzzman]

After working in a machine shop all day, you know I need to have something at home for the weekend. So can anybody give me a good price on a turnkey CNC that I can run off of Surfcam and not spend an arm and a leg?

Thanks.

[Ron111]

fuzzman,

That's the sixty-four dollar question. Tormach seem like a good choice for $6800, that's a 1100 lb benchtop with percission ground ball screws and about 16 X 10 inch travel. Some guys like the X3 Syvl sells for around $3000, thats a 350 lb square column with some where around 15 X 5.5 inch travel. Industrial Hobby sells a 900 lb machine with a cnc kit (Servo system for around $6400 and you have a few days of work) but the travel is around 32 X 10 and it is a square post column so you have say 15 inches on the Z.

Hope thats gives you an idea. If you decide to do some cnc work your self, there are a lot of guys to keep you pointed in the right direction.

Ron

[phantomcow2]

If you work in a shop, you will probably want a bit of heft since that is what you are used to. I work in a shop myself, and settled with the X3 which I am converting. I really like this mill, its quite a brute for its size.
HOw much do you want to spend? THe industrial Hobbies mill and package looks great. You could probably do the conversion for a lot less if you did the stuff yourself. That mill is just massive though for a benchtop at 900 pounds. If I could sustain such a beast in my basement, I would have bought it.

[fuzzman]

What about a Proxxon MF 70 CNC? I'm looking at doing more plastic and carbon fiber than anything else, I can do the heavy stuff at work

[KDN Tool]

I have a Proxxon MF70 CNC on Ebay right now. Item #180009760217.

I have more stock mills and can customize per your specs.

Ken
KDN Tool

[phantomcow2]

The Proxxon is so tiny though. Makes me think of a sewing machine. I'de at least get the X3.
Looking forward to KDN Tools conversion kit of it too.

[fuzzman]

Would it be better to build one since I work in a machine shop?

George

[Ron111]

By George I think you have it. It you have access to a machine, by all means. Big advantage to building your own, you will know and understand how to keep it going, even the electronics. Lots of guys here to keep you pointed in the right direction.

Ron

[fuzzman]

OK, then where to start? I'm not going to do any really big stuff, probably plastic, engraving and carbon fiber. Which plans should I go by? Also what electronics?

George

[Ron111]

I would recommend following JL123's thread, it in the bench top mill section where your thread is.

here's the link. http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22211

for a little background
JL123 is cnc ing the same machine that Phantomcow2 is cnc ing. It is a 350LB mill from Grizzley. It may not be what you have in mind, but the principles will apply to any square column mill. JL123 bought screws and mounting kits from cnc fusion, while Phantomcow2 is making his own mounts.

So, you are up to date on the mechanicals, both JL123 and Mr. cow are going to have to build the controllers. JL123 is going with Gecko drives while Mr. PhantomCow2 has purchases a driver kit. JL123 will use Mach3 for his software.

Read and study the forum and some of the questions that JL123 ask will be the same ones that you will have.

I have some inputs on the thread as does Phantoncow2 as well as others. Good thread to start on.

Ron