Newbie- Looking for a Mill

[kevperro]

I'm probably the 1000th Newbie asking virtually the same question but here it goes.

I'm looking for a general purpose mill for my shop. I plan to build primarily aluminum enclosures for electronics. The longest panel I see myself working on is 18-19" long, 7" wide and most of the stock will be 0.125", 0.25" & .5" 6061 aluminum sheet/plate. I'd like a machine to mill cut-outs, engrave letters/numbers and some surface finishing.

Most of this is low volume work, less than 100 pieces per run.

I figured I'd buy a manual mill and convert it over to a CNC after I spend some time getting my feet wet. I've built a CNC router for my wood products from scratch so I don't have any problem with building a DIY CNC system.

Anyone have any feedback on this product?

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-PM-45M...QQcmdZViewItem

[Brick58]

I can't directly comment on the mill in the attachment. It looks good though. My comment is if you have the space, you might look at some full sized CNC Bridgeport type or clone mills. You should look at what ball lead screws will cost. I think they are $1000 and up each. I bought a SuperMAX CNC for about $2000. It had an old Anilam controller on it, that didn't work. I tried to fix it, but ended up selling off parts of the controller. I have seen another SuperMax CNC with out the controller go for about $1,600 on E-Bay. My ways were in near new condition, just slight wear marks. As with any used piece of equipment, I think the condition of the ways are the main concern. This machine was both manual and CNC from the factory. I could convert it to a manual machine if a retrofit wasn't possible financially.
Tom

[kevperro]

I guess this is 45 series mill that is pretty common. Grizzley model G0519 but the Precision Matthews is more decked out with accessories. The base, coolant pump, collets and vice add some value.

The DRO is another $695 which would be nice for manual use, but get Ebayed when I did the CNC conversion.

It looks like a couple people have done DIY CNC conversions for around $1K for most of the parts.

For me, this seems to cover all my needs. Sure... the IH or Tormach solutions are better or more complete in one way or another but I can get this delivered to my door for $1900 and after the CNC conversion have around $3K-3.5K in the machine. It seems the best solution for my needs unless I'm overlooking something. It isn't turn-key by any stretch but it comes in a good $6K-$7K under what I'd pay for a turnkey solution.

[sansbury]

$1000 to convert an RF-45 sounds a little too low to me, as I am going to spend about that much all-in on my X2 conversion, and I'm using relatively inexpensive Roton screws, NEMA23 motors, and cheapo motor drives, and I think I've been fairly stingy compared to many here. You may want higher-precision screws, you'll need larger motors, higher-current drives... all of which could easily add another $1000 over what I spent.

What I'd consider for giggles is whether another $1-2k for a turnkey Smithy or Syil X3-type CNC mill would be a better play. The working area is going to be a bit smaller, but you might be able to accomodate that by indexing larger workpieces, otherwise they should be sufficient. If you can sell machine time for $50/hr, then paying yourself $20/hr to do a DIY conversion may not be a great deal, unless you have time to spare. But even if you have done a CNC project before, don't think this one will be fast--my X2 has taken almost as much time as building my wood router did from scratch.

That said, I doubt anyone gets into a Tormach or full CNC IH mill for less than $9-$10k when the dust settles, so you are looking at a lot more cash to go that way even versus a Syil or Smithy.

[kevperro]

If I could get into the Tormach for around 7K I'd just go with that. My time has some value and my wood cutting machine took a bunch of it.

[philbur]

A spindle speed of 1900 rpm is way to low for knocking out a hundred parts at a time in aluminimum plate, especially with engraving work to be done. You will need to throw half of this machine away in the conversion.

Phil

Originally Posted by kevperro I'm probably the 1000th Newbie asking virtually the same question but here it goes. I'm looking for a general purpose mill for my shop. I plan to build primarily aluminum enclosures for electronics. The longest panel I see myself working on is 18-19" long, 7" wide and most of the stock will be 0.125", 0.25" & .5" 6061 aluminum sheet/plate. I'd like a machine to mill cut-outs, engrave letters/numbers and some surface finishing. Most of this is low volume work, less than 100 pieces per run. I figured I'd buy a manual mill and convert it over to a CNC after I spend some time getting my feet wet. I've built a CNC router for my wood products from scratch so I don't have any problem with building a DIY CNC system. Anyone have any feedback on this product? http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-PM-45M...QQcmdZViewItem

[Jason3]

I'd go for the Tormach without question, if it's within the budget. I have a mill virtually identical to the one in your Ebay link, and it's a great machine but I think as others have suggested that $1000 is a bit light for the conversion. The tormach is a third heavier again and by all accounts is a very capable machine.

...how strange, I can't believe I just suggested someone buy rather than build a machine...

Oh yeah - as Phil said, the 1900 max rpm is painfully slow with cutters under 3/8"...

[highspeedmazak]

It looks good just remember that alot of people here have done what you are looking at doing right now, I am converting a lathe to cnc. I will agree that it can be done around 1000 since I have searched for tons of parts and know most prices but in order to do it this cheap you need to just like me make most parts. Now I have an edm,mazak mill and lathe,heat treat oven, suface grinder and a pile of other equipment to fall back on for making alot of the parts, so if you dont, then refigure your cost up, to make sure that your decision is correct. You are not going to make the parts you need to turn it into a cnc the correct way with that machine.

[kevperro]

All good points... I think I'll reach a little deeper in my pocket and just grab the Tormach, that little lathe they have will be a nice addition and they have a high-speed Proxxon die grinder that should work great for engraving and even some prototype PCB work.

I've never had the regret of buying too much machine. I'm going to make money with the thing and I'd rather spend time making money than trying to figure out a way of building a cheaper machine.