OK - I'm in!!!

[Hunter12]

Well, I finally took the plunge into a grage CNC mill. I bought a Taig MicroMill 2000. I own and oeprate a remote control hobby business, making aluminum hop-ups for cars and trucks. Up to now, I've been subbing out all my prototypes and production work to local machine shops. I'll be using the Taig for prototypes, minor modiifications and custom modifications.

Just like to thank you guys for all the help so far. There is a ton of info on here for the little guy just starting out.

I'll be making an 80/20 enclosure and doing the Micromark microflow coolant route. I will be machining all 6061 aluminum, taking light cuts mostly, since speed isn't an issue.

[bilinghm]

Hi Hunter,

I'm sure you will enjoy your Taig. A great machine. One word of caution, Before I bought my X2. I was considering a Taig. I spent about an hour on the phone discussing the machines with one of the company founders, and I was told that the coolant type/brand needs the be chosen with care to avoid attacking the anodized aluminum parts. There are cases where the anodizing was damaged by coolants and the aluminum moving parts were galled. However, He assured me that there are coolants that are completely compatible with anodized aluminum. You should discuss this with Taig to avoid any problems.

Bill

[Hunter12]

Thanks for the coolant tip. I'll ask them when I pick it up.

[tikka308]

Hunter12 - Definitely check out my TAIG blog! I cut a lot of 6061 and have an 80/20 enclosure that I am very happy with. www.nyccnc.com

[Hunter12]

Too late dude, I've been there many times. Thats why I am going with the 80/20 enclosure. Yours looks great.

[rcsimpson]

I'm pretty new to this whole thing as well and have a Tradesman (like HERBIE) coming soon. Why is it called an 80/20 enclosure and how can I build one?

[Hunter12]

That is the name of the company. http://www.8020.net/

You can call a salesperson in, and they will give you a demo, or you can shop several stores on e-bay and get drop-offs and scrap fairly cheap.

[rcsimpson]

Hopefully I'll learn lots more from you all soon. Should have the machine in about two weeks.

[Stepper Monkey]

The first, and only real mod you should find necessary when you get your Taig is this; Remove the center screw holding the rubber way cover on the front of the Y - it adds a little better than 1/2" of desperately needed extra Y travel when removed and serves no real purpose when left in place other than leaving nasty gouges in your Y bearing plate. It is an obvious afterthought and is just in the way. God knows why its even there in the first place. If you feel the need to replace it use a pop rivet or plastic push rivet.

In the future, you might eventually decide to look into options for replacing the motor depending on your needs. The motor supplied is perfectly functional and reliable, and works for most users, but for cost reasons it does lack speed control. It is also more heavily built than needed. If you ever find you need more power there are stronger motors of about the same size and weight. If find you need more speed there are lighter motors that will do the same job as stock while lightening up the Z and increasing performance dramatically.

Other than that, you should find it to be a good mill, and a good time all around. Congratulations.

80/20 is good stuff. For the sizes of enclosures we do there is a much cheaper option than buying through a rep - Check Ebay for seller "8020inc". Their store is "8020 Inc Garage sale". Same guys, just selling odd lots of drops and off-cut pieces like Hunter mentioned. Since anything under about 8 feet is "scrap" to them, you can get the same stuff, plenty big enough for our uses, at a fraction of the cost. You have to cut it to size yourself though. It is nice sometimes to just be able to call the rep and have everything pre-cut and drilled to order - very convenient but much, much pricier.

[rcsimpson]

Thanks for the tips. Can't wait to get it running soon. If anybody has some "poor man's" enclosure tips I'd appreciate it. What do most folks use for the base? Custom shower pan? I wish I could find a big stainless basin and I'd use that.

[Hunter12]

I think 80/20 uses a sealed bottom for the enclosure. The salesteam showed me a gasket to buy to make it waterproof. For a mist type system, it looks good enough. I should have the machine this week and start building the enclosure this weekend.

[rabidgoalie]

Originally Posted by rcsimpson Thanks for the tips. Can't wait to get it running soon. If anybody has some "poor man's" enclosure tips I'd appreciate it. What do most folks use for the base? Custom shower pan? I wish I could find a big stainless basin and I'd use that.

I am in the process of building an inexpensive enclosure out of pvc building material, pvc pipe, and two heavy duty shower curtains. I will get some pictures and post them and do a write-up on the process. I didn't get pictures of each pvc piece that I cut individually but I can get one of the base glued up before adding the sides to it. It won't stop a broken end mill from flying around the shop though, which is a definite down side. On the up side...it costs less than $100 and is very easy to do. Depending on the size of your enclosure, it shouldn't cost more than $200.

I wanted to do an 80/20 enclosure, or at least something similar, but costs prevented me from doing that (I am in the process of building a metal furnace and I have to prioritize). So, for now at least, I have to come up with an alternative because standing there spraying the end mill by hand during a two hour long cut is getting old fast!

Anyway, I will get some pictures taken and post those so that people can see what I am talking about. I am about to get a render out of my modeling software to show what it will look like when completed, and I will post that in a few seconds. Hope this helps.