Why Build CNC When you can buy used?

[Switcher]

Originally Posted by Madclicker Well, this forum is "DIY-CNC Router Table Machines". If you're talking about mills, you're in the wrong forum.

Read post #1.

RGeo Chip Sweeper Join Date: May 2007 Location: United States Posts: 9 Why Build CNC When you can buy used? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I posed my question in order to capture your attention. I too love to build projects from the ground up. I currently run a business where we design and build custom machines. It is very rewarding. What I do not understand is how people strike out to make one of these so called; poor boy CNC mills or routers with the intent of saving money and still spending a few thousand dollars. I have found what I think is a better alternative. Purchase an old NC machining center, complete with motors and drives, ball screws, table, spindle……….. and just drip feed the control from a PC. You could conceivably buy the old iron for a few thousand, okay so maybe the tool changer doesn’t work, or the spindle is slow. You would still have several thousand pounds of iron, capable of large cuts and likely more accurate than your dremel driven homemade job for comparable money. I know many people don’t have the space, there are also shipping costs, you would need three phase and a host of other lesser obstacles. I just want to include my opinion, which may save somebody else the hassle. This may not be the best option for a person who is doing it purely for the glory, but if your goal is truly geared toward relatively cheep, but very functional it should at least be considered.

[grahamshere]

I also go by the old saying, When buying used you buy some one elses headache, Just like a car.

[bigz1]

I built my own for reasons of price(upto £2,000 now £650 was just on software) . I managed to get the boss to sponser most of it(wouldn't have if I bought it 2nd hand???). Have enough parts left to build small second one.

I have bought plenty of 2nd hand woodworking machines in the past. From my experience £ 4 £ 2nd hand is the way to go. I prefer old table saws to new as their solid and haven't had the cost cutting on all the adjusters unlike the newer versions(pieces tend to fall of new saws when under hard use). But buy almost new edgebanders, double end tennors etc basically anything requiring complex electronics. Their are bargains out their but you need the time and be prepared to travel. I always take a dial guage/magnectic stand and vernier calipers.

I have decked out an entire timber custom kitchen/bedroom door production(approx 350 doors per week) area for less than the £100,000 it costs for a new double end tennor.

[jonandyev]

It's a passion. I've only got 2 passions in life, and the two legged one costs a damn site more than the machine version!!!

[RGeo]

I have built a friendly relationship with our local rigging company, that and some scheduling flexibility will help save a bunch of money.

I had a 12,000# machine moved across town. It would have cost me between $1500 and $2200 had I just called it in. I waited, I negotiated, I waited some more and I got it done for $200 cash.

If you have the space, you can likely bide your time and end up with a real piece of iron, albeit with some sort of repair issue for as low as $1000 to $2500, this may even include shipping. If you can strike up a deal like that you can turn it in to a very rewarding project that can cut some serious metal.

As for wood routers, you are right. I have not seen many on the used market. I would make one too. However I would not use 80/20 extrusions like many do, I would weld a steel frame and lots of bracing. I have seen purchased machines made of 80/20 that rack all over the place. It is possible to firm them up, but the hardware is outrageous.

With milling machines weight is important, so are ballscrews and even; servos over steppers, that is if you wish to remove much material. These are a given when buying a real machine center, used.

[ImanCarrot]

It's a passion. I've only got 2 passions in life, and the two legged one costs a damn site more than the machine version!!!

lol quite right too.

I speak to my machine... usualy just before I press the big green button on a new job- "cmon baby, don't crash, please don't crash... Argh! Biiiitch!" *scrabbles for the E-Stop whilst narrowly avoiding shrapnel that two seconds ago was an expensive blank*

Anyway, I swear my machine has more intelligence than my girlfriend

[RGeo]

Well, Not bad for my first post.

I wanted to see if I could generate some serious discussion / debate on the subject and I think I have succeeded in doing so.

My interest is purely in cutting metal, but I have found out a great deal about routers from many of you. I fully agree, I have seen few low priced, used routers on the market. I would build one if that were my area of interest.

I originally had and interesting combination of possibilities going at the time I began this discussion. I have three separate directions I could and each would yield a CNC mill.

1) I have a conventional Bridgeport mill that I have always wanted to retrofit.

2) I have a healthy cast iron X,Y table complete with linear rails, ball screws and medium sized stepper motors. I could quite easily come up with a design to do some light machining with this as my foundation.

3) I have recently purchased an old, used NC vertical machine center, complete with 15 tool changer and axes that operate. I have not actually run it yet, just moved the axes. I would have to purchase some type of software and run it from a PC, I am told from the original owner.

My goal in starting this discussion was to play advocate for option #3 and see what information I could glean from all of you. However I have not had very much support for what I felt was my promising of options. I do understand that I never mentioned that I have all three options in hand currently. I thought this would bias the discussion.

Before anyone starts to feel to envious of my situation, I must tell you that I am currently being forced to get rid of my machine center due to space constraints at my job, where they initially agreed to let me work on the project. I have considered having it moved to my residential garage, but it simply will not fit, the machine dimensions are 8’ x 6’ x 9’.

I am seriously sad about having to give up this awesome machine. I will now have to opt for #1 or #2 or some combination of the two. I know I will enjoy the project either way, but it will never end up as capable as with my true love #3.

I have heard that it is better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all. To which I say; Whatever!!

Anybody in Ohio looking for a good deal on a machine?

Arrrrrrggg!

[Glidergider]

I'd say your #3 option would be easy to retro fit. The software to run it is probably as simple as Mach3. What are the table dimensions? What is the largest size you can cut?

[RGeo]

Table is 36" x 12.5"
Travel is 26” x 14” x 19” xyz

[nyleeloise]

I know where a used piece of Iron is [reasonable] it has a hiedenhain program 350 I think can a pc be hooked op to it ??anybody ,also lookinf for a mentor in Fresno ca area Help nyle reed