Please Help me starting right!!!

[CrazyRonny]

I just found this site a couple day ago and I have to say : it's awsome.... Felecitation to everybody...

First I look to buy a 3in1 (lathe, mill, drill) machine to eventually convert it to cnc. But I read in this site that most of you don't recommend it, almost everybody agree that the best way to go is with a seperate lathe and a separate mill even if the cost is higher? So I change my mind and look for a lathe for now. I want to make a good choice so I could convert it to a good cnc later, I want a lathe not to big and not to small so I could live with it a long time. I want your opinion on this lathe for a starting point, what you tkink of it and your feeling about it.



****Specification*****

And another question. Did some off you did small milling job with a lathe? I think that if I put a milling cutter in the head and put another axes for up and down travel over the cross slide I could mill small piece... And if so, did you know if someone make a comerciably available taper adapter, to start from the "MT #4" taper of the lathe to "R8" spindle taper of the mill I plan to buy latter " Mill web page ", so I could use standard milling accessory and collet set.



Thank's! Any help would be apreciate.... and excuse my english.

CrazyRonny

[Klox]

Welcome to Cnczone CrazyRonny! (uhmm interesting name LOL!)

The lathe looks fine to me, however the 1hp motor seems a bit light....

Klox

[Bloy2004]

[QUOTE] But I read in this site that most of you don't recommend it, almost everybody agree that the best way to go is with a seperate lathe and a separate mill even if the cost is higher?

Hi CrazyRonny,

I guess I'm one of the "few" that disagrees with this. I have a 3 in 1 metal machine but that isn't why I disagree. Since getting the 3 in 1, I've been able to both turn AND mill many components. If you want to have versatility and have multiple functions, I think the combo can be very useful. I suppose it depends on just what you want to do from the getgo.
The things I've done so far could not have been accomplished only with the lathe without investing further in expensive tooling.
The only drawback may be in finding a quality-made 3 in 1 machine. I've modified mine quite a bit(while learning machine skills) to make both modes of the machine meet my required tolerances.

John

[CrazyRonny]

Hi John,

I read all your post in the Shoptask section, you have a great machine and the job you have done with it is awsome . The Shoptask is the first 3in1 I was looking for, it's seem to be a good machine and it's preparation to receive cnc component is a + . But for a very little more $$ I could have a separate lathe and a mill, and for service here in Quebec I think it would be better for me to buy locally, Shoptask user's seem to have to made a lot of modification to their machine and have to call the after sale often. The delay of delivery seem to be long to, 3 or 4 month I think?
For all of the reason I mention above I'm not certain what will be the good choice for me???

Another question.... If I go with separate machine and convert both of it to cnc, can I use the same controller? could I just switch the servo cable easily? And can someone could tell me aproximately the cost of a complete kit (everything I will need) and who sell good cnc kit. I don't want to build a kit myself, I could modify my machine to accept cnc component with your help, but all the electronic thing involve in a cnc control machine confused me a lot?

And Klox, almost all the small lathe of the size of the one I look for and I can afford, have this kind of horspower. I think it should be ok for a hobbie machine?

Thank's

Ron

[turmite]

CrazyRonny try this link:

www.artofcnc.ca

It is for a controller that the guy charges $150 US and you can put it on as many machines as you want. He does ask that you not be a business of reselling and do this. The same controller works for mill, plasma table and lathe. Support is great.
Mike

[CrazyRonny]

Hello Mike!

Thank's for your link it will be helpfull for the software part. But the controller I talk about was the harware box the servo was connected to (maybe I don't have the correct term?). Will it be possible to control multiple machine with one controller box.

Ron

[CrazyRonny]

That's all ??????

Nobody else could give me some info or want to help me???

Sniffff! Snifff! (

It's like I will have to find it by myself.

[High Seas]

CrazyRonny -
Sounds like yer lookin for a combo-kit of some hardware and motors integrated to some controllers? As long as yer lookin -- this site has had a few retrofits - more than I pay attention to - I'm at the other end of this hobby -- so here is a great place to start searching.

I would advise that if you can't find exactly what yer lookin for to get something that INTEGRATES well - easy, or "naturally". Trying to be the integrator can get to be a frustrating experience and you'll always have a nagging question - WHAT IF I BOUGHT... instead of ....: But if you can find someone thats got a "package" that integrates well - and fits your retro app - then I'd jump on it. But thats hindsight speaking - 20/20 ya know!
Jim

[inthedark]

A person can think about what they want to make. Then make a list of what is needed for the job. Figure a budget and go from there.

I was not too sure what direction I was heading when I got started. So I bought the biggest equipment I could with the money I had to work with.

However, it makes working on small pieces and parts difficult at times.

I'm sure my lack of information is clear as mud.

Kenny

[CrazyRonny]

The problem is that I want to do everything...
I will like to do so much project that I will have to quit my job and go full time in my hobbie But if I do that I will have no money to do my project....

This is a couple of web site with interesting project that I will like to put my hand on sometime if I can:
http://www.gtba.co.uk/
http://www.agelessengines.com/
http://www.nvbackflow.com/engines/
http://www.metalbashatorium.com/
http://www.butchswelding.com/frames.html/
http://www.theedgeusa.net/buggies_piranha.htm
http://www.hovercraft.com/
http://home.iprimus.com.au/rorty/content/whats_new.htm
http://www.dctechs.com/rifle.htm

It's why I want good machine that could do almost everything...
I want to stop dreaming of project and begin to realise it.

Ron

[Bloy2004]

hmmmm..
I think you will need more than a lathe and a mill. I don't know how many tools you already have, but machining is only one aspect of all your interests. CNC would be nice for a lot of what you want to do, but only a part of the whole scheme of things. Whew! Hope you find time and money to accomplish things in your listed fields.

....one step at a time....

[HuFlungDung]

CrazyRonny,

Do what some of the rest of us do, and turn the hobby into your own business Its tricky while you are in the transition period from working at bothyour old job and your new one for a while.