Opinions on CNC Jr.

[DAB_Design]

Any one own one of these? I know it's a bit more expensive than what I've seen talked about in here. But it's got most, if not all the features I'm looking for, and looks sturdy enough for what I need. I'll be cutting aluminum. Specs can be seen at http://www.cncmasters.com/prod01.htm

[CrazyRonny]

Hi Dab,

The round type column (Z axis) is not the best way to go for a mill, if you have to move manually the Z axis up or down ( for a longer or shorter tool ) you will lost the zero because the round column rotate.

Ronny

[MetDetect]

I agree with Ronny, go check out www.industrialhobbies.com kit for the dovetale square column mills. I bought the lathemaster mill and I'm installing the Industrial Hobbies kit now.

[DAB_Design]

Ronny, I see you point as far as having a round column. But as I am used to running machine where the z axis does not rotate (industrial size CNC), I don't think this would be a problem. As I would take precautions to not have to move Z (longer tools, raised tooling, etc) within acceptable means that is.

MetDetect, thanks for the link. Looks like a good machine. But there are a couple of things that turn me off from it. Firstly, are the RPM limitations. 1500 is about 1/2 of what I would want to see in a machine. Second, it is not CNC. I know they are commonly converted. But first, I do not have the time, patience, or even desire to do this. And of course you have to figure in the laziness factor.

I'm wanting something that is 'turn-key'. I do think the travel of the lathermaster machine is impressive for it's size. So I'm not turning my nose up at it completely. But due to the fact that I would have to do modifications myself, and spindle speed is alot lower (I'm sure it can be replaced, but yet another modification), I don't see it working for me. Unless someone sells these with the mentioned mods already complete.

[sendkeys]

nice looking mill

Make sure the Forward/back(7inchs)/up/down(5inchs) table travel is what you need

[MetDetect]

DAB you can buy them turnkey from IndustrialHobbies if you want. Also the RPM is listed wrong on the lathemaster website, top speed is about 2000. Before you swipe your credit card on a round column mill you should talk to a few people who have purchased them for cnc use. Ask about column flex, the head slipping, and quill wobbling when extended, those mills are not without issues.

I had one primary requirement when shopping for a mill for cnc use, I want to turn it on and use it I don't want to tinker with it. Columns flexing, head slipping, quills wobbling, having to develop some kind of tooling/fixture strategy to work within the limits of a 3-5 inch quill travel, that sounded like I'd spend too much time tinkering.

Dovetale column corrections, Y travel is listed as 9 inches on the lathemaster, its not even close to that. Its barely 7, about the same for the Enco clone. The good news is I added 3 inches via the Industrial Hobbies spacers and pushed it out to 9.875. I'll lose about .750 to the limit switches though.