Need Help!- newbie looking for advise on getting cnc mill for small shop

[briank94]

Hi all,
Newbie here so i apoligize cause im sure some things i will ask have already been. I worked in factory maching parts for the automotive industry for 12 years, had alot of experience with manual machines and cnc but very little programming experience. I have had some training in autocad, mastercam, solidworks, and g-code but am far from being fluent with it but yet it isn't greek to me, I never got to put the training to use due to the ecomony which bumped me back down the totum pole if you will therefore have forgot most of it. That all being said i have quit the factory job and building custom tractor pulling engines and parts. I have purchased manual mill and lathe and need to purchase a small cnc mill and lathe. I definetely think i need to lean towards conversational programming. With all of the above stated do I look at machines that have easy conversational programming right at the machine itself or with all the different cad/cam software is there one that is easy and affordable for a 2 man shop then download to the machine? I would greatly appreciate info on what type of machines and/or software that would be good for what i am wanting to do. Ive been looking at knee style cnc mills but dont have a clue what to look for. Have been told Hurco has excellent conversational programming but im sure there newest version is pricey. Im not really sure what my budget will be just trying to figure out what direction to look. Also, i would be looking for something with 40 inch of x travel due to machining parts for inline 6 engines.

Thanks

[Delw]

A knee mill wont give you 40 inchs of x travel, I dont believe. and I highly doubt it will support the weight of a inline 6

Personally I think you would be better off buying a used haas or fadal. My opinion stay away from the conversational controls, learn g code its easy for almost all jobs that DONT requirer surfacing.
Also learning Gcode will improve your skills later on down the road.
Nothing wrong with used machines especially your first one, this way you dont have a huge payment coming in every month.

BTW 40 inch x is a big machine not a small one.

Delw

[briank94]

bump

[RICHARD ZASTROW]

For your 40 inch machine and in-line 6 engine work, I'd suggest a small Horizontal Boring Mill. If it would have a built in rotary table, so much the better. Ex. Wotan 75B

Dick Z