Interested in machining small parts

[Fixittt]

as stepper said they are good for a learning tool. but please understand that what they lack in rigid construction ect will sometimes lead you down the wrong path when your trying to find out "WHY" something didnt work. Its my humble opinion (Someone who has been down that path) to try and sway you from a inferior machine. If you start with something better built like the proxxom machine. Then you can rule out certain design aspects as a problem.
I started with a maxnc Big mistake because the machine is well, crap out of the box and spent 2 years and more money getting it to act "like it should" I could have gotten a better built machine or maybe even 2.
If you start with a solid performer it will make the learning curve alot easier. Again, my opinion......... taken from experience.

[TOTALLYRC]

Originally Posted by Fixittt as stepper said they are good for a learning tool. but please understand that what they lack in rigid construction ect will sometimes lead you down the wrong path when your trying to find out "WHY" something didnt work. Its my humble opinion (Someone who has been down that path) to try and sway you from a inferior machine. If you start with something better built like the proxxom machine. Then you can rule out certain design aspects as a problem. I started with a maxnc Big mistake because the machine is well, crap out of the box and spent 2 years and more money getting it to act "like it should" I could have gotten a better built machine or maybe even 2. If you start with a solid performer it will make the learning curve alot easier. Again, my opinion......... taken from experience.

I can't argue with Stepper or Fixxit. Especially when I completly agree with them.
Understand what you want and are trying to do and be honest with yourself. A flimsy machine with the greatest machinst running it will make so so parts. A rigid machine will help make a flimsy machinist produce good parts even if it is by accident.

You will go bald trying to make good quality parts on a junk machine.

[small.planes]

Hi iflymyhelishigh,
I have an MF-70 as my first cnc mill. good quality, but *VERY* limited on size.
As a first mill it will show you the way, but you will quickly want a bigger machine I suspect.
Im my case I have a 10x42 (IIRC) TOS FNK mill for most stuff, and Im looking at getting a 'medium' sized CNC in the near future to...
Got some madman prodding me to make a 200 sized nitro heli


Dave

[iflymyhelishigh]

why hello small planes! I never expected to meet you here!

I'm staying small, but the biggest parts probably one day going to be a 90 size part.

[small.planes]

The Proxxon work envelope is 46mmx 134mm ( less than 2"x about 5"). You can use all of it, as you need somewhere to clamp the work down. Draw a rectangle that size on a piece of paper and you'll see how small that is. I find the rectangle method is quite useful in comparing capacities, its very visual.

Dave

[chinli]

heres picture shows proxxon sitting on a kneemills vice.

[small.planes]

Thats my Proxxon (yep its going to be 4 axis, got some tiny radial compressors to make....), on my TOS...

Dave