Need advice on a new knee Mill

[mikesos1]

I am looking for a NEW knee mill in the less the $20K range. I am looking mostly at the M3X-3s mill from CNC Automation INC.
www.cncauto.com

Anyone have any experience with this mill. I will be using it for short production runs in plactics and aluminum, prototyping, tool making, assembly fixtures, ect.

Here is my company's web site, there are pictures of some of the products I will be making.

www.speedofsoundllc.com

Thanks for your help, This site has been a big help in my learning the in's and out's of CNC.

[lakeside]

for 20k you have a lot of option a used Prototrak from Southwest inds. can be had for this price now you are in to a bed mill and not a knee mill for the money you are spending you can do a lot more than this knee mill

[Karl_T]

Also, for $20K, I'd stay away from R8 holders. You really lose rigidity with this wimpy holder. Move up to CAT40, and you'll be able to take far deeper cuts and increase your production.

Of course, if your get CAT40 holders, then you should get a toolchanger. So, I just spent 50K for you <GRIN>

Karl

[MarkT]

I would say it depends on the application, if you plan on cutting alot of plastics and nonferrous materials, an R8 should be adequate. If you are planning on machining any and everything...Cat40 is more logical. The one thing I noticed about the site you were looking was for 16K+, the control seemed somewhat proprietary, and one I have yet to see or hear of. Parts/Support may be issues. However you were getting the full 3rd axis, most machines of that type are two axis using the control asa DRO for "Z". Does come with auto lube. I would research some more and compare to Bridgeport, Chevalier, Clausing Kolchester equipped with Anilam, EZPath, or Prototrax controls. Or look into the Haas toolroom style mills, pretty affordable. The dual head one would be great if you could customize it a bit!
Best of Luck
MarkT

[lakeside]

Some of the thing I don't like about the Haas TM-1 is little y travel also the max feed is only something like 7.5 because of the no enclosure if you can also use bt-35 holder personally I like the Prototrak DPM x40 y 20 is a good work side but the down side is no tool changer and no ridged tapping

[mxtras]

Another downfall to the BP style knee mill is severely inhibited spindle speed - if you are cutting non-ferrous stuff this could be a major consideration.

Scott

[mikesos1]

Thanks for the info guys

Lakeside, I really want something new, Most used mills are being sold because they are used up.

Mark T, The Haas is a nice machine but it is not anywhere near my budget, The base price is $22K but to get a machine that's ready to cut anything it takes $15K worth of options.

mxtras, The machine I am looking at has a max spindle speed of 5,400 RPM, Where would I see the limitation (trying to learn something here)?

Thanks again, and keep the ideas comming.

Mike

[lakeside]

IT'S ALWAY NICE TO GET SOMETHING NEW BUT A FEW MILES ON A USED CAR WITH A WARRENTIE CAN BUY A LOT MORE TRY THIS SITE

http://www.machinetools.com/MT/machi...p&groupid=8004

[mikesos1]

Originally Posted by lakeside IT'S ALWAY NICE TO GET SOMETHING NEW BUT A FEW MILES ON A USED CAR WITH A WARRENTIE CAN BUY A LOT MORE TRY THIS SITE http://www.machinetools.com/MT/machi...p&groupid=8004

Thanks for the link, I somehow missed that site (I've been searching like crazy).

Your right, I could get allot more for my money buying used, a few miles dosen't bother me.



Mike

[mxtras]

Originally Posted by mikesos1 mxtras, The machine I am looking at has a max spindle speed of 5,400 RPM, Where would I see the limitation (trying to learn something here)? Mike

Higher rotating speed = faster cycles with smallish tooling in aluminum.

http://www.mmsonline.com/articles/010101.html

Scott

[mikesos1]

Originally Posted by mxtras Higher rotating speed = faster cycles with smallish tooling in aluminum. http://www.mmsonline.com/articles/010101.html Scott

Thanks Scott, Great article.

Mike

[mikesos1]

So nobody owns of has operated one of these mills?

Mike