BenchTop Mill to Buy

[leeschaumberg]

Hi All
I am going to buy a new small verticle mill. Either I will convert it to CNC or buy a mill from CNCMasters ready to go for $6000 with a base. The non CNC mills I am looking at cost about $2700. Did any body out there do this? Any info that you have would be welcome. Thanks in advance Lee

[philbur]

Hi Lee,

To put it straight I think you would be crazy to buy the CNCmaster. It's a round column RF30 clone. About the worst possible choice for CNC (at least when you are spending USD 6,000).

If you want ready built at the USD 6,000 mark you should be looking at Tormach, Smithy CNC or a ready built IH.

Tormach - has a track record but only one alternative (ready built) and no servo option.
Smithy CNC - has a large range of build yourself alternatives but no apparent track record.
IH - has the biggest envelope plus build yourself or ready built options but no apparent track record with the current owner.
CNCmaster - is just a dinosaur.

Opinions may vary.

Regards
Phil

Originally Posted by leeschaumberg Hi All I am going to buy a new small verticle mill. Either I will convert it to CNC or buy a mill from CNCMasters ready to go for $6000 with a base. The non CNC mills I am looking at cost about $2700. Did any body out there do this? Any info that you have would be welcome. Thanks in advance Lee

[leeschaumberg]

Philbur
Thanks for the info. I'll check those 3.
Lee

[leeschaumberg]

After some more looking and reading , I've decided on the IH mill/drill. This 2200 all manual mill has a 4500 CNC kit available. Weight of the mill is 950 pounds so it's not an X1. They use it to make thier parts so it works. To get all the info visit thier website at www.industrialhobbies.com.

[philbur]

A kit works if you have the skill and time to make it work. Judging by your initial questions you are new to CNC. I trust you are aware of the job you are taking on with a kit. It’s not quite as simple as bolt together and go. If you figure your time is worth much more than about $5/hour you should reconsider the ready to run out of the box alternative. The only real advantages of "building yourself" is for the challenge and the knowledge you gain.

If you go with the IH + kit you should join the IH forum on CNCzone. In fact I recommend you spend a couple of weeks reading through past posts before you decide on the kit. There is a mass of experience there.

You will also need to think about lubrication, system way-covers, housing the electronics, etc, etc.

Opinions may vary.

Good Luck
Phil

Originally Posted by leeschaumberg After some more looking and reading , I've decided on the IH mill/drill. This 2200 all manual mill has a 4500 CNC kit available. Weight of the mill is 950 pounds so it's not an X1. They use it to make thier parts so it works. To get all the info visit thier website at www.industrialhobbies.com.

[Deviant]

You need to state what your work envelope is and how much room you have to store one of these beasts.

Also, what level of precision your expecting.

I agree with the above posts reguarding the round columns. Ideally, you'd stay away from those.

[leeschaumberg]

Philbur
Thanks for the response
Following are answers to your questions
The Skill - Worked for 4 engine manufactures in Engineering and Research
Fluent in electrical devices and wiring
Very knowledgeable regarding mechanical devices
Drag raced a stock 427 cu inch 425 hp camaro in A stock class
Instrument rated Com pilot
Com drivers license rated (ABCD and M)
Many ((thousands of dyno runs)) on internal combustion engines
The max was 5043 hp at 1000 rpm (4875 rated at 1000 rpm)
Worked as a field service engineer
Own many tools of all kinds
Manufacture special snowmobiles

Yes I'm new to CNC milling
Any job can be long and difficult
When I build it myself I learn alot

I belong to a very good CNC forumn the CNC ZONE

Lube oil not grease
Way covers are good all the time
The electronics and controls need to be securely mounted

So I think I can fiNgure it out


Deviant
Machine 1 of 2 crankcase halves sized like a lycoming 360
Precision should be comparable to normal crankcases
The square column is the way to go


Lee

[philbur]

Sorry Lee, but it did seem that a person who switches from a plan to buy a ready to go CNCed round column to a IH + kit within the space of a few days could possibly benefit from some encouragement to research their plan a bit further, before laying done their time and their money.

Manufacturing large, critical aeroplane engine components will certainly be a challenge.

Good Luck
Phil

Originally Posted by leeschaumberg Philbur Thanks for the response Following are answers to your questions The Skill - Worked for 4 engine manufactures in Engineering and Research Fluent in electrical devices and wiring Very knowledgeable regarding mechanical devices Drag raced a stock 427 cu inch 425 hp camaro in A stock class Instrument rated Com pilot Com drivers license rated (ABCD and M) Many ((thousands of dyno runs)) on internal combustion engines The max was 5043 hp at 1000 rpm (4875 rated at 1000 rpm) Worked as a field service engineer Own many tools of all kinds Manufacture special snowmobiles Yes I'm new to CNC milling Any job can be long and difficult When I build it myself I learn alot I belong to a very good CNC forumn the CNC ZONE Lube oil not grease Way covers are good all the time The electronics and controls need to be securely mounted So I think I can fiNgure it out Deviant Machine 1 of 2 crankcase halves sized like a lycoming 360 Precision should be comparable to normal crankcases The square column is the way to go Lee

[leeschaumberg]

Phil
Yes I wan't to machine my own crankcase. A flat four diesel. A two stroke diesel. A two stroke diesel has been built for a long time and is well proven. (THE DDA) Compressing the intake air is required to start and is good for a plane engine that flies at altitude. I'm sorry if my brain goes so fast. But my ESP is still garbage.
Lee