New and looking for info, CNC knee mill

[Martin 007]

Ok, this forum is a maze of threads and hard to find the right place to start. I am a technician for an aviation/aerospace test lab, so I have been involved in many machining tasks, however do not have the skill of an educated machinist. All of the work to date has been on manual mills and lathe. I am going to purchase a CNC knee mill at the later part of this year and I’m on the hunt for information and equipment. I am limited by money and the fact that I may not be able to supply 3 phase power. I have been looking at the Supra knee machine by cncmasters with most all of the options they offer. As far as major tools go I have a Miller Synrowave 250. Keep in mind this is personal equipment not for my job. My intention is to develop prototype patens and RC parts and possibly auto accessories. So mostly small pieces.
I would appreciate any input on equipment and reference material, books, DVD’s ect… I will wait until September when the machine arrives to start asking the really stupid questions. Like... I set my lap-top on the table while making the initial connections and accidentally ruff milled my keyboard and parts of my hard drive. It only removed the naughty video’s from the drive, so is it ok to continue the cad cam software install and should I use duct tape or packing tape to keep dust out of the hard drive??

Thanks in advance for any info or direction…
Doug

[svenakela]

Hi Martin.

I believe that you can save a lot of money if you find a used manual machine and go for a retrofit, as far as I see it you have knowledge enough to make it and with some help from other members here at the zone you are good to go. If you have the space go for a floor based mill, like a Bridgeport clone or similar. But don't underestimate the bench mills as there are posts here with some really extra ordinary pieces of work made by hobbyists and their bench tops.

Good luck, and welcome to the forum!

Sven

[Martin 007]

Thanks Svenakela, I do believe this Supra I'm interested in is a Bridgeport clone. They also have the conversions. With my knowledge in data aquisition and control I could no doubt do the work, but I'm not sure I want to take the time. They also have an benchtop called a Jr. The biggest thing is that it is not 3 phase. To be truthfull building the conversion would go a long way to increasing my understanding of the operations of the mill. But time is money as they say, and as one gets older you think harder weather you want to change the oil in your car,,,,,, or ,,,, pay someone to do it. I havent reached that yet....But I have thought about it.

Thanks
Doug

[9 1/2]

Hey Doug, if you can swing the cost, go for a bridge or clone. I did the bench top route. Spent the time to build it but it is always going to be a compromise at best. Yes, you can build some pretty amazing stuff on a bench top and no disrespect to others (like me) that have them but, you'll be happier over all with a larger machine. Take a long look at Ebay for used CNC brigeports. There is some excellent value there.
Good luck and enjoy the hunt, that's half the fun!!

[Martin 007]

Thanks 9 1/2 .... Yes the looking can be fun..

[BPConverter]

Doug -

I have a manual Bridgeport knee mill that I want to cnc retofit. Is there anyone in or within a few hundred miles of Nashville Tn. that has done this?
If so I would like to see what you did to convert it.

Thanks,

Jeffrey

[Martin 007]

Hey BP... I dont know of as I'm new and looking for info, but the cncmasters people sell the refits. I'm not sure off hand where they are located.
Good luck with it though