Best mill for $2,500?

[StefanV]

The company I work with is buying a CNC machine to mill aluminum door profiles. I’ve been interested in CNC for years and I’m eager to learn more. So they want me to oversee the purchase and get the machine installed and going. I love the challenge, but it’s still a challenge and somewhat new.

I need to make sure I can “play around” with a CNC setup, so I can learn and get more in depth experience with Mach3. Result is, my company gives me $2500 to buy a mill that I can keep at home to do spend my evenings and weekends learning I get to keep the mill. Requirements are to have steppers that can be run by Gecko drives, and to have Mach3 run the whole thing. I have a control box with Gecko 202’s, I have Mach3. I need a CNC mill to plug in and start playing.

I would love to build or retrofit a bigger mill, but for now I need a machine fast, ready to go, I don't have the time to build although I would consider a complete good kit.

What would you get?

[Jeff-Birt]

Well, I could set you up with a very nicely equipped Taig 2019CR-ER with the control, cables, steppers, etc for less than $2500. All you would need to do set the Mill up and plug in a few wires. I'm not sure what all you have in your existing control box but the above set up would have you going very quickly with a very good bench top mill.

http://soigeneris.com/CNCPartsPage4.aspx
http://soigeneris.com/TaigMachines.aspx

Just send my an email to birt_j@soigeneris.com and I can send specifics.

[Enraged]

I'd suggest a Harbor Freight X3 (look for a 20% off coupon) at $800, and add a CNCfusion conversion kit (either the regular kit $569 for or the deluxe for $949). This will leave you money for a stand, power supply, BOB, as well as tooling and fixturing. It is also rigid enough to cut decent size parts in steel and aluminum.

[Badwolf]

I have a sherline desktop mill with a micro kinetics setup on it. I bought it and played with it but didn't fit my needs so it is sitting there.you can look it up at microkinetics.
it goes for about $3500.00.with out a computer.You can have it for $2000.00 plus shipping.I don't know if you can use mach3 with this setup but its worth a try ,call machmotion.Also have an engraving head for it (bosch high speed trim router with 1/8-1/4 bits)

Sincerely
Badwolf

[Crevice Reamer]

At $1700, for a slight assembly required Mach3 ready-to-go mill--Deepgoove1 Taig is a best buy. Just add a computer and Mach3:

http://deepgroove1.com/cncmill.htm

This is a small mill, but it will do real work.

CR.

[SORCHEROR]

what kind of travels you looking for?check on ebay they have new and used machines
you said you have a gecko controller already,cables with plugs?i also have a cnc ready machine with 12 x 7 1/4 x 10 xyz travels,5/8-8 antiback lash lead screws and 20mm
linear guides,i could put motors on it with cables for your controller