New to forum, help needed.

[isiahstites]

Hello everyone, My name is Scott. I currently live in North County in the San Diego area and I am looking for a machine.

I am very new to CNC machining and this industry as a whole. I am looking to start making my own parts for the motorcycles I build and race. I do hope to turn this into supplement income. Who knows one day maybe even do it full time. I am patient and realize that there is a steep learning curve.

I have already went to a training class to learn Mastercam X4. I also have already purchased Mastercam X4 level 1 with maintenance. All I am missing is a machine. I am very comfortable with the software and have a few people who work in the industry that will help with the snags I am sure to run into.

I have daily access to a Bridgeport Series 1 machine with a Heidenhain controller, however I want to put a machine in my garage at home for ease of being able to work all the time while taking care of other things, like building my bikes while the machine is cutting.

I am looking for a 3 axis CNC mill that will fit in my garage. My garage door opening is 84", and I have plenty of room in the garage to accommodate a taller machine, I just need to get it through the door.

Originally I was looking at more expensive machines in the 15k range. Now I am looking to spend 5k, no more than 10k.

So, what machines do you guys recommend? I will be mainly cutting aluminum for motorcycle parts. I would like to have as large X,Y, and Z axis as possible as I do not want to limit myself.

Thanks for the input, I look forward to chatting with and even meeting some of you in the future.

Scott

[isiahstites]

Here are a few of the bikes I have built and raced. I currently hold several Bonneville records for land speed racing.

My current project





My Buell/Sportster that went 172 mph








Record setting Hayabusa



And my first parts that most of you guys could do in your sleep. Turbo inlet and exhaust flanges for a friend turbo Harley that he land speed races.

[Fastest1]

What are you expecting from the Busa? Anyway what size parts are you considering making? We all want the biggest travels etc, then reality sets in. I have been scouring Craigslook (searches all of Craigslist in the areas you specify) and Ebay. Machines are very reasonably priced right now. I saw an unused Tormach Pcnc110 go for 4900 asking price last week. I think it only got the 1 bid. Had 10-12 tool holders and had never been removed from the pallet. I have seen a few nice machines in Ca on Ebay going for 5g. I have been looking at Dynas and a few Haas machines (only online) and they have been nice looking stuff.

[isiahstites]

Originally Posted by Fastest1 What are you expecting from the Busa? Anyway what size parts are you considering making? We all want the biggest travels etc, then reality sets in. I have been scouring Craigslook (searches all of Craigslist in the areas you specify) and Ebay. Machines are very reasonably priced right now. I saw an unused Tormach Pcnc110 go for 4900 asking price last week. I think it only got the 1 bid. Had 10-12 tool holders and had never been removed from the pallet. I have seen a few nice machines in Ca on Ebay going for 5g. I have been looking at Dynas and a few Haas machines (only online) and they have been nice looking stuff.

The new Busa project will be turbo powered and should make between 450-500 horse, looking for 250 mph +

I have been looking on Craigslist and Ebay as well. Mainly looking at Bridgeport and Haas because I do not know what to look for, thus my post here.

I guess the real question should be which machines should I stay away from?

Thanks,
Scott

[Fastest1]

I am seeing many machines that are or were being used for plastics. It seems to me these would be ideal as the materials are soft. Of course like anything else maintenance and care of the machine by the operator will play a big part. I am a hobby machinist so my opinion is to be taken with a grain of salt but I havent seen anyone slam Haas yet. If you could afford that and can power it in your garage, get it. I understand in the Texas Flying Mile a Busa went 253. I think it was 1 of Dale Earnhardts crewmen on a personal bike. I only heard that and wasnt there. Anyway good luck on the pursuit of speed and stay safe. I have been 162 on a modded VFR, it was real! That was not on a track but on I-10w outside of Houston, stupid maybe but real.

[ImanCarrot]

Wow! that's some serious speeds! most I got out of a race tuned GPZ Turbo was just under 150 MPH... Handlebar wobble at that speed was scary, I reached my own limits before the bike's limit heh.

[isiahstites]

Originally Posted by Fastest1 I am seeing many machines that are or were being used for plastics. It seems to me these would be ideal as the materials are soft. Of course like anything else maintenance and care of the machine by the operator will play a big part. I am a hobby machinist so my opinion is to be taken with a grain of salt but I havent seen anyone slam Haas yet. If you could afford that and can power it in your garage, get it. I understand in the Texas Flying Mile a Busa went 253. I think it was 1 of Dale Earnhardts crewmen on a personal bike. I only heard that and wasnt there. Anyway good luck on the pursuit of speed and stay safe. I have been 162 on a modded VFR, it was real! That was not on a track but on I-10w outside of Houston, stupid maybe but real.

The new record at the Texas Mile is a turbo charged Busa at 261.xxx mph, Maxton Mile has seen a different Busa run 273.xxx. I hope one day to be in that range.

The CNC work will take my bike building to another level, I am really excited. The black busa has been 185 several times N/A.

Scott aka still looking for a machine.

[Fastest1]

Isnt that incredible. 261! I cant imagine the difference. I remember the jump from 120/130-150 it seemed significant. I have recently had the opportunity to run 150+ in 2 different cars. Again both on public highways at times with very little traffic for brief periods, totally different experience with much more awareness of potential damage to others or myself. Of course age and responsibility have been slowly creeping in. 48 w 3 kids. I try to keep it on the track but sometimes it is too tempting. Cant wait to see you step it up. Keep us posted.

Originally Posted by isiahstites The new record at the Texas Mile is a turbo charged Busa at 261.xxx mph, Maxton Mile has seen a different Busa run 273.xxx. I hope one day to be in that range. The CNC work will take my bike building to another level, I am really excited. The black busa has been 185 several times N/A. Scott aka still looking for a machine.

[isiahstites]

Originally Posted by Fastest1 Isnt that incredible. 261! I cant imagine the difference. I remember the jump from 120/130-150 it seemed significant. I have recently had the opportunity to run 150+ in 2 different cars. Again both on public highways at times with very little traffic for brief periods, totally different experience with much more awareness of potential damage to others or myself. Of course age and responsibility have been slowly creeping in. 48 w 3 kids. I try to keep it on the track but sometimes it is too tempting. Cant wait to see you step it up. Keep us posted.

Yeah it must be a significant jump. It's weird when I am racing I can usually tell when I have gone just a few MPH faster.

273 mph is the fastest open wheeled sit-on motorcycle. That is amazing to me........one day maybe I will get there.

I try to keep it on the track as well, but sometimes you can't help it.......

[Apex Industrial]

Local San Diego Service supplier by
Jerry Dillon
jdillon@apexindustrialsupply.com
Office Tel 619-661-6200
Direct 619-746-8089
Fax 619-270-9960

[isiahstites]

Originally Posted by Apex Industrial Local San Diego Service supplier by Jerry Dillon jdillon@apexindustrialsupply.com Office Tel 619-661-6200 Direct 619-746-8089 Fax 619-270-9960

Yes - what else do you sell?

[Apex Industrial]

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