Can run 12 hours a day?

[banctecbobn]

What does this really mean?

Does this mean once the machine is dialed in it will run a straight 12 hours before anymore adjustments are needed?

I currently have a Shoptask which seems to need constant adjustments and I need to upgrade. I'm very interested in the Industrial hobbies Mill but the price seems a bit steep, at least for me.

[dnelso]

I run my IH mill 8hrs a day 5 or 6 days a week and have no problems with getting out of ajustment. I tear it down once a year for cleaning. So far have only replaced belts in 3 years of operation.
Later DN

[Cruiser]

Ban~ I am going to say that, You needed an update before you ordered that Monster ! Why do I say that ? Because I came within 5 min one morning of ordering one but was on line and found CNCzone, read about the shoptask and some others and UPGRADED ! I looked at the Tormach for a while and came back here then I saw IH for the first time. I spent two days reading everything I could find on them and then called, ordered, and payed for my machine.
You will find out as you read more that most of the troubles are generated from people and All from the old model cast iron. Don't mistake what is said here as all coming from the new machine that IH has now.
The biggest cause of problems here is from people deviating from the original plan form in order to modify and upgrade then complain from things not working out !
If your truly interested in the IH mill then Look for entries for the New Iron and Drive system. Not from the 2 to 3 yr old machines which I have and so do most of the others that frequent here.
There are a few owners of the Brand new IH system which are in process of assembly who are also contributing here as they go. The rest of them are so busy running there machines that they don't have time to spend here to tell us much about them.
So to answer the question more directly "The new system will be capable of running you to death, If you stick to the IH plan" !
I tried some of the Mod's and came up with some of my own too, But ! for the most part now my system is reverted back to the new original IH plan and is or was solid till I found out I blew up my PC power regulators on the mother board. And it could be that this is the vary item That had me chasing my tail for the last YR !

Check out the New http://www.ihcnc.com/ website, and keep an eye on it as it is changing then call Gene and Tommy and let them tell ya what is involved with the new system and the options available.

[banctecbobn]

Cruiser,

Thanks for the reply.

I've had the Shoptask for 10 or so years, the Gold Series. It's a good enough machine for what it is (3in1). I made many parts and still plan on using it till it dies or I die. lol

I'm really looking for a better quality mill and beleive the Industrial Hobbies mill would fit my needs. I've been reading about this mill for quite sometime. It seems to be the "best" benchtop mill for it's price range. I'm wanting one real bad right now but I'm in the research mode.

The reason for my post was, I read on their website that the mill would run a 12 hour production day. Guess I could just call them to see what that really meant. I like hearing info from customers, people who use the machine and know. I'm wanting a mill that I can dial in, then use it, not filddle with it all the time to get a good part. I'm not a machinist, just a hobby guy with the basic skills. I have a real buzz to build a V-twin engine. I have plans on building a small foundry, casting parts then machining them into useable pieces. This will be more of an adventure that will be sucessful if I complete it, it fires up and runs only for a minute. This is my goal. It would be great to mount in a frame and run it down the road. I used the Shoptask to build a motorcycle making the frame and as many parts as possible. I purchased a S&S engine kit. This time I want to build the engine too. This is why I'm looking into better machinery.

[Cruiser]

Ban, I better understand now what you want ! The IH CNC system is quite capable of running jobs for as long as you are capable of tolerating it ! Once you have prog to where you can trust it just change parts and tools as required and keep making chips ! As far as fine tuning is required, maybe you will find the need to make fine adjustments to the gibs for ambient seasonal changes, or not !
What Gene is referring to on his website is that they run the machines for a full 12 hr shift day after day after day etc ! Your best buy may well be the turnkey system ! then just build a stand/enclosure for it and power it up and make chips. What I was trying in my own feeble way is that their are those who appear to enjoy modifying and chasing their tail while others are more into making chips.
I'd really be interested in hearing more about this engine your wanting to build and your S&S MC ! I am also an avid MC enthusiast !

[philbur]

I don't think he has indicate whether he is thinking of a manual or CNC machine.

Phil

[banctecbobn]

Wanting mill setup CNC.

I plan on transfering the CNC electronics and steppers from the Shoptask. Not sure if just screws, mounts, and such can be purchased from HI. If not, I'll plan on making the needed parts on the Shoptask. Turnkey system would be great but money is an issue. An issue for a hobby. lol

[Cruiser]

Wanting mill setup CNC.

I plan on transfering the CNC electronics and steppers from the Shoptask. Not sure if just screws, mounts, and such can be purchased from HI. If not, I'll plan on making the needed parts on the Shoptask. Turnkey system would be great but money is an issue. An issue for a hobby. lol

This is going to be an issue of longevity here ! We will be seeing a lot of you when this project gets going ! You may very well end up with a system which is in need of more tweeking than you plan on, and the issue of working for 12hrs without problems may end up a pipe dream. It may well be more to your advantage to sell your ST to help defray the cost and at least get the full system from IH then you will not only have a solid system and their support but also be much much more a happy camper !
The custom servos and the huge power supply alone would make a huge differance and add in the pre machined parts and a working planform, well ! Its your call !

[Runner4404spd]

if you plan on running production and need to run 12 hr days then don't fool around and get the already converted model. if you want a hobby machine then go ahead and get the IH and convert it yourself, but understand that the hobby part will be tweaking the machine until it done and then some. see the issues bob is having, along with the issues that i've had. i've finally got mine worked through to cut a perfect circle within tenths, however, now i blew a servo motor. its getting replaced but i'm down another day. Gene and Tommy are great to work with. i even had a round column mill, an x3 and now own two IH mills. one is a 10z and the other is the 12z minus the ground ways and the quiet head. it really is a great machine both manually and cnc, however if your planning on cutting more than aluminum i wouldn't count on 12 hr production days and being worry free.

just as a point of reference, i bought a used fadal 3016 for 10,900 with tool holders and delivered to my shop a few months ago. are the deals out there sure, with one you have a great hobby machine that is supported by great guys. the other is a professional machine with all the professional machine prices that come along with it. heck a ball screw for my fadal is $2200. but when its all said and done i now have an enclosure, flood coolant and a tool changer a 10K spindle etc. sure its a used machine but i haven't had to fiddle with it yet.

again alot depends on what your planning on doing with it, if i had to do it over again i would have bought the ready built IH machine from the get go, i may not have needed to upgrade to the fadal.