Looking to buy cnc mill under $40K

[kad2kam]

Hi,
We are looking to buy new cnc mill having capability to machine medium size injection molds out of steel and machining aluminium components as a production item. I would like to get feedback direct from users. Our budget is around $40K. I have seen few m/cs like haas, makino, fadal ... but hard to decide, I would leave it to experts in this group. Thanks in advance.
Kevin

[nervis1]

The only new CNC mills you will find for that price are tool room mills, and if you get it without the options maybe a Haas mini mill, or Fadal mini mill, Sharp VMC, the new minis, forget the model name, maybe Hurco mini. I don't think Makino makes anything in that price range, I could be wrong.

You should look at used mills, your money will go a lot further.

1st order of business would be to decide what spindle speed, HP, and travels you need and work from there.

Include tooling in the budget. This may be several thousand for toolholders, knobs, cutters, fluids, etc. Unless of course you have that already.

[Zipdrive]

I went through a big trade study of new vs. used. Used as is vs. retrofitting. Best way to go (bang for buck, best iron, nicest controller) was to buy a late 80s early 90s mold making machine with the controller intact (can be shown that it runs and has no mechanical problems with the ways, ballscrews, toolchanger, etc.) and have it retro fitted with a aftermarket controller. I liked centroid the best.

I found a Hurco (Leadwell Iron) machine for low 20s, and added a 4 axis control system for another 30k. Spindle will only do 6K rpms, but that is why we have speed doublers, eh? Sounds like a lot of cash for an old machine, but compare it to any of the others that are new in the same envelop size with the same controller ability and I don't think you will come close to the 50k line.

Just my two cents.

[RON MEYER]

Go To Hurco.com And Look At The Vm Line Of Machines. If You Have A Question, Call Me At 317-696-4448. Ron Meyer

[ViperTX]

Kevin...you really need to develop a specification sheet that contains more data.....like the machining envelope size, etc.....you mentioned molds...but didn't offer any specifics.....it will help you find what you need.

[timlkallam]

I looked at the haas an the fadel mini mill the options are insaine and really add up. So i bought sharp mini mill .it has every option included in the price , alot more travel and weight it also has a faunc cotrol. It was delivered and set up with 4 hours of training for $35000.I an very happy with it.
http://www.sharp-industries.com/

[AMCjeepCJ]

My cousins and I have just about everything but I just bought another Milltronics this time and am very pleased with it. They are an American company based out of Minnesota I think. If you do much programming at the mill, it's VERY straight forward and pretty fast, the layout makes sense to new users and the learning curve is negligable. The screens are full color LCD and you'd be amazed how many standard features many models have including rigid peck tapping, etc.

I'm not saying you should buy one, just don't forget to check them out before you make your final decision. They aren't perfect but the parts come out accurate and it includes S-curve look ahead on contours, a must if you're doing any real 3-D swept surfaces. I went this route this time because of all the extra travel I could get for the same money~

On that note, my cousins have just under a dozen fadals less than 6 years old and only the brand new one had major problems, they swear by them and they average about one big mold a week production wise, so lots of wear and tear.

http://www.milltronics.net

I like the travel on this one because of the price... I might buy it to free up my big mill in the future... 25"x20"x20.5" in an 8500lb. 6 foot square footprint seems good to me...

http://www.milltronics.net/products/rw/rw20_main.htm

NET not COM!!

[Eddieweeks]

I have a Fadal Reman at my house for <$36K... No problems

[cncworld]

Please contact me at cncworld@mail.com
QUOTE=kad2kam;47603]Hi,
We are looking to buy new cnc mill having capability to machine medium size injection molds out of steel and machining aluminium components as a production item. I would like to get feedback direct from users. Our budget is around $40K. I have seen few m/cs like haas, makino, fadal ... but hard to decide, I would leave it to experts in this group. Thanks in advance.
Kevin[/QUOTE]

[sportybob]

Kad2Kam, you can cut mold on most machines out there, some mfg's warrantties "X-clude" steel parts. read that as a "H" mini somthing.

$40 K NEW with a enclosure and a tool changer, I do not thiink you can find one. with the possible execption of the Milltronics MM-18 machine. This is a medium duty machine with the same controls as the heaveier duty VM machines. It is a boxway machine with travels of (X,YZ) 30X18X18 with a 8K spindle. check here Page Not Found
Milltronics has never put a limit on the material thier machies can cut.
There are other machines available new with out the features of the MM-18, and while the MM-18 does not have a "full enclosure" the $ value is hard to beat.

Used machines is a wide open area, $40K can buy you a lot of machine. Besure to check it out. As with a used anything, buying from a reputable (a what?) can have an advantage, they should stand behind what they sell.
no if's, and's or but's.
Time spent on the front side will save you heartache and hassel on the backside. Why is it being sold?, can you prove the accuracy? will you gauranty the machine. if so, for how long. provide training?. If a dealer? do you provide service, parts and training?. tooling? what kind and at what price? do you have the ability to M&G code programs?, does the software provide to DXF file import, do you need a CAD/CAM system? does the dealer provide a locally supported syatem? what's the learning curve of the system?
On and on.
If you spend $40K on a machine it is like getting married, it's for better or worse. you can spend another $40K before you figure out if it's was worth it. It's better to know on the front side.
What parts and support is available, machine history, preventive maintenance done VS preventiive maintanece required etc. " Yea, it was all done,, Yea? well prove it! Maintenance records rarely lie. No records? "well just trust me!" there "aint no "prenup" Get it in writing.

As in used cars, so goes used machines, there are good ones and there is the other kind. If you do not posses the technical savvy , get a second oppion. If the "deal" is only good till the end of the day, walk away





Ford, Chevy or Dodge??? They all roll down the road.
"Do thy homework" Trust, but verify.

Sportybob

[Geof]

Did you guys happen to notice the date on this thread?