Which is more useful??

[SPEEDRE]

I'm not sure this is the right forum for this, but. As a hobbyist, I have both a mini mill, and a gantry router. I've spent money somewhat steadily as of late on my mill, but I still have'nt cut one chip. Now I'm wondering, which is most useful to me. I am a Master Pattern Maker by trade, working in wood. I build and design more things in wood and plastics than in metals, although I dabble in metals a little. My interests in metal work are limited. Here's my dilemma, should I have both, if, the gantry will be my primary instrument? I'd like to have opinions from anybody who has faced this question. What you have learned from your decision to use only one machine or possess both? I fear a collision of doubts will cause a foolish expenditure of better used funds.

[neilw20]

I think physical size is the limit.
How big are your machines?
Are both CNCed?
With pattern making you can laminate many layers to create a shape.
A CNC router will serve this well.
If you need more Z axis travel I think the mill is good. Works fine with wood.

Depends on the type of patterns you intend to make I think.

[ger21]

Originally Posted by SPEEDRE Here's my dilemma, should I have both, if, the gantry will be my primary instrument?

If the router can do everything you need, then you probably don't need the mill. If you need some parts that only the mill can do, then I guess you need both.

[SPEEDRE]

neilw20, By trade I mean that's what I do for a livelihood. Wood patterns for the foundry trade. My hobby is making stuff myself, you know a tinkerer. To ger21 thanks for stating the obvious. I mean, yes, I do need to have both. I will inevetibly need to make an item a gantry can't handle. Thanks for the input guys.