I have $2000.00 to invest (mini Mill)

[jeffrey001]

Hi, I have $2000.00 to invest on a Mini Mill and would like to receive your opinion about what model you would buy.

I'm a long time internet user and internet buyer so buying via online seller is OK for me.

I live in Canada so shipping cost and shipping method is a good part of the money so must keep as low as possible.

I've been a machinist for 30 years so I know what are the limits on a mini Mill.

I've been looking on internet for different model for some time too and can't make a dicision without consulting some of the great of the CNC zone.

Thanks in advance for your time.

Jeff

[jalessi]

Jeffrey,

Give this guy a call, he is in Canada and has really awesome machines.

https://www.machinetoolswarehouse.co...e-p-16134.html

The RF45 is a great choice.

Welcome to the Zone,

Jeff...

[jeffrey001]

Thanks for the reply.

Do you think the model you refer to could be easily upgrade to CNC milling.

I think, with a counter weight for the head could be a good way to have the head move with a stepper motor a servo.

This is almost the same price as a X3 model but probably more rigid and with the stand as a bonus.

Thanks again, Jeff

[jalessi]

Jeffrey,


No problem using steppers for a RF45.

Clocker did a nice stepper conversion.

http://tinyurl.com/l55qs4

http://tinyurl.com/mth9ko

Dual conversion ZAY7045 and G9972z

The RF45 puts a X3 to shame. it is a lot more robust.

Bob Berg has a nice servo conversion documented for the RF45.

http://www.rlberg.com/RF45.html

Jeff...

[cncjunky]

Hi, I have $2000.00 to invest on a Mini Mill and would like to receive your opinion about what model you would buy.

I'm a long time internet user and internet buyer so buying via online seller is OK for me.

I live in Canada so shipping cost and shipping method is a good part of the money so must keep as low as possible.

I've been a machinist for 30 years so I know what are the limits on a mini Mill.

I've been looking on internet for different model for some time too and can't make a dicision without consulting some of the great of the CNC zone.

Thanks in advance for your time.

Jeff

I almost said forget about it, but I couldn't stand not to throw in my 2 cents. You say you have been a machinest for 30 and you know the limits of a mini mill ? So you are going to buy a mini mill for $2000.00 or probably close to that rediculously high price and from what I've read so far in you thread you know it won't even be a cnc? Crazy, if you were smart and I've told many others the same thing, you should go to an auction and buy a used cnc mill. I bet you possibbly get a full sized knee mill with stepper/servo motors and controller, fully running machine that all it will take to get going is for you to learn that code and so on for $2000. or less. That's what I did, I'm not trying to put down these guys with the little mini mills but for the money and what you get at some of these machine auctions it just totally blows these new mini mills and of that calibre machinery out of the water. I'd much rather have a used heavy duty machine with a professional cnc controller that is going to do most any job you can throw at it. The ONLY thing that the little mills have on there side is there new, big deal though. For the price of a mini machine I can get a full sized machine that is used. $60,000 $100,000 machine for $2000. give or take " you do have to look for these deals" but is a used machine.

[cncjunky]

Just don't buy chinese.

[jalessi]

CNCJunky,

I completely agree with what you are suggesting, if you have the space and need a big machine why purchase a Mini Mill.

On the other hand, I have several bench top cnc machines at home for making small prototype models and they are awesome also.

I almost said forget about it, but I couldn't stand not to throw in my 2 cents. You say you have been a machinest for 30 and you know the limits of a mini mill ? So you are going to buy a mini mill for $2000.00 or probably close to that rediculously high price and from what I've read so far in you thread you know it won't even be a cnc? Crazy, if you were smart and I've told many others the same thing, you should go to an auction and buy a used cnc mill. I bet you possibbly get a full sized knee mill with stepper/servo motors and controller, fully running machine that all it will take to get going is for you to learn that code and so on for $2000. or less. That's what I did, I'm not trying to put down these guys with the little mini mills but for the money and what you get at some of these machine auctions it just totally blows these new mini mills and of that calibre machinery out of the water. I'd much rather have a used heavy duty machine with a professional cnc controller that is going to do most any job you can throw at it. The ONLY thing that the little mills have on there side is there new, big deal though. For the price of a mini machine I can get a full sized machine that is used. $60,000 $100,000 machine for $2000. give or take " you do have to look for these deals" but is a used machine.

Jeff...

[dertsap]

it's actually surprising the cutting that some of the mini's will do , I've recently picked up a mini mill from busy bee which is an x2 , for something to play with at home it's great .
I can take a pretty decent cut and the mill is pretty rigid , I can't compare it to the heavy hogging that a guy can do with a Bridgeport but as Jeff has pointed out those mills don't take up the footprint or the power needed for a Bridgeport .
It boils down to whatever is of most use , for home and hobby the mini's get the job done quite well but if its for business then the bigger and better machine would be the best choice , heck there was an old fadal 4020 in the local craigslist for $4500 including tooling ,how long would it take to pay something like that off then scrap it and sell the parts when the first major repair is necessary , there are some good deals that roll around on craigslist or the likes if a guy is patient

[jeffrey001]

Hi CNC junky, I know what you mean but I don't want to buy big machine.

I work with big machine every day, don't want to spend all week end with them.

I don't know where you live but I never seen a $100 000 cnc for $2000.00 or if I remember well, I've seen a couple.

When you measure backlash, 0.015 on each axis, and original ballscrew cost $10 000, I know, we just bought a new one for a Mazak machining center.

Very often, controller are so old, no postprocessor can be use with them, or even worse, nothing can be hook up to the controller.

Another $1500.00, because will probably need a 550 volts 3 phases electrical box.

I don't want to work for others (supposed friends) that always have some small job to do and at the end, you always pay for material, electricity. and so on.

I love electronic, mechanic, I do these cnc upgrade just for the fun.

here are some pics of the controller I almost finish, still have to do some engraving and hide some wires and cables.

But I know I can buy bigger machine for $2000.00 but that is not what I want
but I respect what you said.

Jeff

[jalessi]

Dertsap,

We have a full size Hurco CNC and a Bridgeport in the shop.

No doubt they are nice, however my wife would kill me if they where at the house.

The bench top machines may take a bit longer but the jobs still get finished without issue.

The phrase "a lid for every garbage can", is apropos for either machine.

Ever wonder if the lumber mill guys use a skil saw for remodeling there basement?

Jeff...

[dertsap]

Dertsap,

We have a full size Hurco CNC and a Bridgeport in the shop.

No doubt they are nice, however my wife would kill me if they where at the house.

The bench top machines may take a bit longer but the jobs still get finished without issue.

The phrase "a lid for every garbage can", is apropos for either machine.

Ever wonder if the lumber mill guys use a skil saw for remodeling there basement?

Jeff...

Jeff
I had sort of agreed with you so I'm unclear what you mean ? I think you missed what I had said about the x2 that I have at home to play with and that it takes surprisingly good cuts and is a great toy for at home and hobby

[jalessi]

Dertsap,

I agree with you 100 percent, I was making a joke about having a big machine in the living room.

I use a skil saw to cut 2"X4" lumber but there are guys here that might like to use a lumber mill.

Jeff...