Townlabs?

[fourwheeler]

Does anyone know anything about the Town Labs machines? Help a noob out and take a look.


http://www.townlabs.com/TL518main.html

[SpeedsCustom]

I don't know much about them, but there not worth it. You can get other small mills that will get the job done.

I'm not a fan of there design and there price.


-Jason

[fourwheeler]

Well if not this one then what would be a better option?

[Jeff Simkins]

Well if not this one then what would be a better option?

This one would be an excellent choice. Could you buy one for me too?!

http://www.kern-microtechnic.com/2-Machines-MMT.html

- Jeff

[m8kingit]

I also inquired about these townlab mills. There are a few other threads here. I got replies back telling me that they were the japanese rejects that Alex Brody revamped.
He advertises that they are made in the usa, but everyone here tells me he's using the Sieg mills and changing a few things on this and jacking up the price.

I did receive 2 emails fromm a couple of people here telling me that they bought them and were real sorry. They said the electronics were overkill, but the mill in general was junk.

Go to the site and read his warranty. Just by talking back and forth, thru emails, i gather that he works in a machine shop, while he revamps these reject mills , as a sideline.

[Stepper Monkey]

Townlabs = No

You can't just polish a turd.

[Fixittt]

Townlabs = No

You can't just polish a turd.

Well you can, just make sure its dried up and that you wear a dust mask and saftey glasses!!!!!!!!

[sansbury]

For a similar-to-lower price, the Taig will get you a CNC turnkey system. Less if you put your own motors and controls on, more if you buy factory-assembled. It is a true US-made/designed tool and as such is in some ways in a different class from most others we look at here.

For half the price or less, you can buy an X1 or X2 and convert it yourself. The X1 is a particularly easy and inexpensive conversion, especially if you're happy with +/-.005" precision, which is good enough for quite a bit. The X1 does a lot for a little, and the X2 has a bit more grunt, though less Y travel, oddly.

If you have the space, $2500 is also enough to get you into the low end of X3 conversions, and this seems to be a pretty large step up in performance.

Out of all the options, if you were ready to spend 2-3k, but not sure if this is a permanent hobby/pursuit for you, I think the Taig is probably the best choice. It won't take your shop over like one of the other projects, should give good results out of the box, and is easy to resell locall or on eBay if you move on or upgrade.

[fourwheeler]

I already have an X-2 but do not know how hard the conversion process would be. I am a total newbie to all of this. Is the conversion a big project? I have most basic tools but can acquire whatever I need to make the conversion. What is the best kit to convert the X-2?

Thanks for your help so far guys.

[hoss2006]

I have a cost breakdown for the X2 CNC conversion highlighted on this page
thats shows the difference between DIY and a couple of popular kits.
A small lathe would be needed to help make a few of the DIY parts,
or you could have them machined by request.
Hoss

[fourwheeler]

Thanks for the reply Hoss, would you think a complete cnc noob could accomplish the conversion or would I be better off just getting a machine already converted...say a Syil x2?

[hoss2006]

If you're looking to get to making parts asap, a turnkey like the Syil would be the way to go,
you'll still have a lot to learn with setting the mill up for running and
learning the biggest item, programming.
Lots of software to choose from, everybody has their opinions on what they prefer.
There are plenty of simpler and free (or nearly free) programs to get you going.
You don't need to spend thousands to make parts.
A DIY can give you some valuable machining experience and in getting to know how everything
works together but could hold you up for a few months.
If you can swing it, the new X4 from Syil America would be better than the X2.
Costs about twice as much but you get twice the mill.
The X2 can mill the same material as the X4 but in a smaller work area.