CNC Mill for MetalWorking

[wd5jwy]

Is it possible to purchase a CNC Mill for metalworking capable of machining aluminum with at least a X,Y working area of 20" by 10" for a price range of from 2 to $5K? I've looked at the Sherline, but those Mills are just too small. I'm trying to machine rack panels for custom applications.

All I've been able to find in that price range with that working area are made for wood. I need much better precision, however it doesn't have to be perfect. If anyone has any suggestions or pointers, please let me know.

Thanks

[RICHARD ZASTROW]

Maybe a used vertical turret mill like a Bridgeport or clone?

Dick Z

[jharvey407]

Is it possible to purchase a CNC Mill for metalworking capable of machining aluminum with at least a X,Y working area of 20" by 10" for a price range of from 2 to $5K? I've looked at the Sherline, but those Mills are just too small. I'm trying to machine rack panels for custom applications.

All I've been able to find in that price range with that working area are made for wood. I need much better precision, however it doesn't have to be perfect. If anyone has any suggestions or pointers, please let me know.

Thanks

What is the shape of the material that you want to cut? Is it plate or billet?

I built a CNC router with a cutting area of 36" x 52" that cuts aluminum very well.

[wd5jwy]

I only need to cut plate aluminum - about 1/8" thick. I would never have any need to machine billet. I looked at building a CNC to get the working range I need. It would certainly be much cheaper and fun to do. But, if I could get a machine ready to go in the 2 to 5K price range, I would be willing the spend the money to save some time. Building a machine could take months and in the end might not work as well as I need it to.

One set of plans I looked at was the 8020CNC:

DIY 80/20 Aluminum Extrusion CNC Machine | 8020CNC.com

It's a great machine and maybe the best solution out there, but it's not cheap even for a home-built unit. Where did you get your plans? Or, did you design it yourself?

[jharvey407]

I only need to cut plate aluminum - about 1/8" thick. I would never have any need to machine billet. I looked at building a CNC to get the working range I need. It would certainly be much cheaper and fun to do. But, if I could get a machine ready to go in the 2 to 5K price range, I would be willing the spend the money to save some time. Building a machine could take months and in the end might not work as well as I need it to.

One set of plans I looked at was the 8020CNC:

DIY 80/20 Aluminum Extrusion CNC Machine | 8020CNC.com

It's a great machine and maybe the best solution out there, but it's not cheap even for a home-built unit. Where did you get your plans? Or, did you design it yourself?

I can't really say I designed it myself.

I searched the web and found all of the information that I could on building a machine, and then picked the features and components I was comfortable with. I spent about 6 months on the build. The first machine was almost entirely MDF. Once I proved the motion control I started on phase II, which was an MDF table and an aluminum gantry and aluminum gantry uprights. The gantry was a piece of 8020, the 40-8060, the uprights I cut from 1/2" 6061 plate. I rough cut them with a jig saw and then finished them on the CNC machine. Once I was convinced that the gantry design was sound I started designing the rest of the machine from 8020 extrusion. I also used the rack and pinion system from CNC router parts with rack from Moore Gear.

Here is a link to the build log. The build log is not very comprehensive, but you'll get the idea.

First Machine Build

I am working on a set of plans for my machine, but they are not finished yet. I plan on offering kits and complete machines eventually.

Everything you need to know can be found right here on CNC zone.

[wd5jwy]

That is a nice looking machine and your work on it looks excellent. I appreciate the suggestions and I was originally intending to build my own machine, but with my day job, I just don't have the time. I'm going to buy something that I can just set up and run. I don't have any machining experience, so my time will be spent learning CAD/CAM and just machining in general. I would like to get to the point of producing finished work as quick as possible.

The problem I have right now is finding the right machine for the right price. There are a lot of different choices out there in the price range I'm looking at. You are correct, there is a lot of good info on the forums here. I've already ruled out a couple of machines based on the comments I've seen.

Thanks again for your replies.

[LUCKY13]

Look at Kelings routers. Now I am not saying they are good or bad, IDK, but they have several and there company has been good about suppply the forum members and standing behind there products.


You need to remember that othere things you need will cost also. So the machine is just the beginning.



Jess

[wd5jwy]

Thanks for the tip Jess. The KL-4530 looks like a good deal at $899. Yes, I know I'll need the controller, power supply, cables, router and software. But the KL-4530 looks like a well built machine. The only issue I see is that it is a movable-gantry machine instead of movable-table. I've always heard that smaller machines work better if they use a movable-table design. But, that's just what I've heard - I have no experience, so can't make those kind of judgements.

I may call Kelings tomorrow and see if they can help me put together a package around the KL-4530. Thanks again.