Choices for machine to convert

[cspmiata]

I have been considering picking up a cnc ready taig and converting it to a small servo system. In researching that I have been looking at the homecnc site and really like Jeff's setup because it seems like I would be less likely to feel limited in the future. ( I would like to do some 3d contouring in mdf, renshape, and some aluminum work) Today I ran across this on harbor freight http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=42976 For $399 it seems to offer something inbetween the two machines. It has some mass to it at 470lbs so it may be a little more stable than the small machines on aluminum. The spindle is a mt-2 instead of r-8 and it has the cylndrical column instead of a dovetail . Has anyone converted one of these.? Any thoughts or insights on using it for a conversion?

[WsW-WYATT]

i don't know where you see the 470 lbs ... but it is the same one as the homier model # 03989 and the homier has a bigger motor and is cheaper and weighs 120 lbs ...

i looked at this mill and didn't like it ... compared to homier model # 03947 which is 139 lbs ... it just seemed like a more precise machine and i am glad i got the one i got ...

there is a few links with the cnc conversion using this mill in this forum ... i have talked with the guy and he is pleased with it too ...

harbor frieght carries the homier model 03947 also and will match the price from homier if you print the homier page and bring it to HF ... but when i went they were out of stock ... so i took a trip to indiana to get it ....

shipping costs are big on the mill because of the size of the crate ...

here are the threads ... he has a video also showing it work ...

thread for conversion

other thread

[MetDetect]

Before you go with a round column mill you really should talk with Aaron at www.industrialhobbies.com, they make a CNC retro-fit kit for the square column mill drill. I was all set to buy one of the round column mill drills to convert to CNC before I talked with Aaron, I'm glad I did.

The square column (e.g. heavy rigid dovetail ways verses the round steel tube) mill drills have some interesting advantages, like a whopping 16 inches of Z travel verses the 4-5 for mill drills so there are no issues with tool lengths and you can lock the quill for improved accuracy. No losing XY, did I mention they are more rigid.

All the square column mills are gear driven so no belts to fuss with but you only get 6 speeds so thats a negative. Also the top speed is only 1,500 to 2,000 rpms verses 3,000 for most round column mills.

The round column mill I was looking at was about $1,000 and the square column mill is only $1,400 thats not that much more for 16 inches of Z and improved accuracy and fewer headaches.

The top choices for square column mills include the TW Rong Fu 45 and several clones which are made in China. The Rong Fu is the best but Industrial Hobbies advises that you will remove 90% of what you are paying extra for in the CNC conversion so why waste the money. They currently recommend the Lathemaster mill drill (www.lathemaster.com), the other decent choice is made by Enco but I'm told the Lathemaster is a better mill and the price is the same.

Anyway thats the combo I am going with, the next shipment of Lathemaster mills should arrive in about 2 weeks, I'll be ordering the mill and CNC kit then.