Please help...complete beginner wants to build a benchtop CNC mill

[fran9r]

Unfortunately I've never been lucky enough to use a lather or milling machine, both of which I would like so I can make parts for my numerious motorbikes.

I want to be able to make brackets, spindles, wheel spacers and yokes. Some ally, some stainless, and one day perhaps magnesium too.

Now the problem -I have limited space. From speaking to people with manual machines, I'm told the mill would have to be large for bike yokes -which I can't find space for, and therefore I need a CNC mill.

I was hoping to be able to make a stand, which I could swop between a lathe and milling machine -one stored below, the other being used above.

I don't think (but please correct me) that I don't need CNC on the lathe, but will on the mill.

Next problem is money! I'd like a straightforward solution, but can't justify the £3,500 Arc Euro would charge for the mill alone...so what is a good balabce between value and usability? This is a hobby for me and will not be being used day in day out.

Any help appreciated...sorry for such a long first post!

[cheetahcnc]

Take a look at the Tormach system, though not a current owner, I like alot of what they have to offer. There is a lathe attachment for it which would give you both. This info gathering is just for starters. There are plenty of used machines out there, and one machine to do every part that comes to mind is not practical on a limited budget. If you get a few smaller machines to get started with, you can probably make a good variety of parts. The larger, more difficult ones, send to a competent machine shop. The machining part is easy compared to the programming. You can make the cnc retrofit parts on your starter machines. Just some thoughts...

[fran9r]

Those products fit the bill, but are quite a way past my budget. I was thinkin a mill for £750, lathe for £400, plus CNC kit.

Which leaves me to ask what typical price a conversion would be?

The benefit of that idea is I can play with the mill as a manual machine, appreciate the limits and go from there.

[Crevice Reamer]

Hi Fran. Welcome to the Zone!

Maybe some of this will help give you a basic grasp of the subject:

http://crevicereamer.com/Page_2.html

CR.

[M250cnc]

Fran if as it seems money is tight i suggest you save your money because it will cost you big time.

Using your example Mill £750 you could easily spend twice that on tooling for the mill alone.

Some people have a natural flair for engineering but others take years to learn it.

Then you will have to learn the CNC side of things allow years, i have taken a couple of years to convert a lathe and mill and learn the software and i am a toolmaker with a full machine shop.

Then there is the cost of Cad/Cam which can add another £5000

So a far better route would be to design your parts and get friends or machine shop to make them.

Less money, time and stress

Sorry to be so negative.

P

[BobWarfield]

There's definitely a learning curve, but if you enjoy it, that's all part of the fun.

I'm a tad concerned about frustrations with too small a machines based on your budget if the real goal is making lots of bike parts. If the initial goal is just the learning, they should be fine.

I am constantly amazed at what people like Hoss do with Sieg X2's, which are pretty small mills. I'd start there as the smallest you'd consider.

RE Lathes, look for one of the 8x18 species rather than a 9x20. They're much sturdier, and are clones of the little Emco lathes. They can also be had in a 9x30 size.

Take those as your low end for making anything interesting for the bikes and I think you can get there.

Also, not too fond of making a stand where you shift back and forth the machines. The machines like a heavy stand and they like to be made level for best results. There's got to be a way to find enough room for two small machines like I've described.

Just to give you an idea of what's possible, you might tour my "Home Shop Hall of Fame", which are pictures I've collected of really neat shops. Some are large, but there are small ones too. Perhaps you'll see some inspiration for how to organize your shop:

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCHallOfFame.html

As you go through those pages, on the 2nd page, take a look at Dirt Rider's Home CNC Shop. He's making beautiful parts for Ducatis on a very basic homebrew CNC mill. That should be good inspiration!

Cheers,

BW

[yantra3d]

I just wanted to say that you should definitely check out Bob's site (cnccookbook) as it has a wealth of valuable information. I frequently check the blog and find it to be a huge source of inspiration.

It's really great that he makes all his research available which can be a huge time-saver, especially if you are trying to learn and get up to speed. Thanks Bob! And as usual, great info!

[fran9r]

As you go through those pages, on the 2nd page, take a look at Dirt Rider's Home CNC Shop. He's making beautiful parts for Ducatis on a very basic homebrew CNC mill. That should be good inspiration!

Cheers,

BW

The dirt riders setup is exactley what I was thinking of, and the yokes are what I want to make too.

Do you have any more details on his set-up?

[BobWarfield]

Sorry fran9r, what's on the page is all I've got. BTW, I wouldn't start with a round column mill like he's got. You can do better with the Sieg X2, X3, or an RF-45 (if you want to spend the money).

To get the parts looking nice and polished like his you should investigate vibratory polishing too. Otherwise you'll get tired of standing at the buffer in a hurry.

Cheers,

BW

[fran9r]

OK thanks for the input people. I still have to work through all the articles, but I was considering something like this: http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalo...-X3-Small-Mill

There is an online article about converting it to CNC operation on there website too.

I think my plan of attack is to start with a manual lathe, as it will allow me to make the wheel/engine spacers I need to get my projects moved on, then but a manual mill and make those bits, then CNC it when I'm ready for the yokes and so on (as I have spares).

[yantra3d]

I am not as experienced as many others here but I would think that the X3 would be a good starting point for you. You could probably slip by with an X2 but if you can afford it then I would think that the X3 will save you time once you start producing parts. You should be able to get faster feeds and speeds which you may appreciate later on when in production mode.

This would also give you more rigidity when dealing with the exotic materials like you mentioned. Also, if you decide to make bigger parts at some point then you will be better equipped to handle it.

I was going to go smaller and thought the X3 was much bigger than I needed but now I can't imagine having anything smaller (well, unless we're talking about Hoss's X2).

[Crevice Reamer]

Here are the electronics that I recommend for CNCing an X3:

http://crevicereamer.com/Page_16.html

CR.