I have been running a TM-3 for a few years now and have an opportunity to sell it and upgrade to a VF. The thing I hated most about the TM is the direct drive, weak (for steel) spindle. The base model VF's come with more horsepower, but still direct drive. The torque for the TM is 33 ft/lbs, 75 for the VF. For most of you, the question is "Is this generally sufficient, or would you opt for a gearbox"? Thanks.
Out of curiosity could you tell me the price you sell the tm3 for once you sell it? I would like to buy a TM Series in the future but being an extremely poor student I'm looking to see what the used market commands for it and then start pinching my pennies.
Just to clarify semantics, your TM is not a direct drive. The spindle is coupled to the motor via a drive belt.
The VF series machines are also driven via a belt system as well. With or without a gearbox.
The VF SS machines and the EC machines are considered a direct drive system, meaning no drive belt.
To answer your question, you can definitely machine steel without a gearbox option, but for best performance and versatility, you may be better off with a gearbox in the long run.
I wasn't trying to harp on you about the differences. Only to clarify what is being discussed so that everyone who may want to give input is talking about the same thing.
So "Po-tay-to...Po-tah-to" does not apply since belt driven and direct drive are not the same thing.
I just perused the Haas portal to see how they worded the drive for the SS vs standard VF (no I'm not arguing...) and the torque spec is the same on both machines (75) , but the peak torque rpm is different. I would have assumed that there was a degree of reduction through the belt drive, creating more torque, but apparently not...
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