Looking for mentor in Tampa, Florida area CNC Milling

[HelicopterJohn]

Originally Posted by nlicari John I live in Tampa but I dont think I will be much help to you as I am new to CNC i have been reading posts on this forum for about 1 year and thinking about building a cnc router to cut Carbon Fiber for heli frames I have drawn in cad. Nick

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger. I too, am new to CNC. I have done a little programming on computers so I figured I might be able to do the CNC thing.

I have a friend that runs a sign shop and has an older Gerber CNC Router. He doesn't have the time to spend with it and has issues when they try to use it. He believes it is more operator error than anything.

He offered to let me have it to use and if they need a sign I could make it for them. When I get a chance I am going to look at it. It does not have a vacuum table. I don't know any other information at this time. If I get it you would be more than welcome to stop by and see it.

I just got my 2 (3) axis CNC Mills running today. I feel like a kid at Christmas. Guess it will be a late night tonight. Ha Ha

If you are interested send me a PM and I will give you my phone number.

John

[cdlenterprises]

John,

I am in Sarasota. What kind of help are you looking for?

Dave

[HelicopterJohn]

Originally Posted by cdlenterprises John, I am in Sarasota. What kind of help are you looking for? Dave

Hi Dave,

First, thanks for your response to my post.

I am sure you read the whole thread. Machining is my hobby and I am retired. I fly Radio Controlled Helicopters and occasionally make parts for them. I have been interested in a CNC mill for some time.

I just purchased a couple of Seiki XL 3 Axis CNC milling machines with Anilam 1100 controls on them. The subject of this thread has drifted somewhat as I first was looking for advise on the purchasing aspect and now I am looking for possible local contacts that I can talk to about issues that I am sure will arise as I get these machines operational.

Right now I am looking for someone that is willing to answer an occasional question about the operation of the Anilam 1100 control. As stated I am a new to the CNC machining world and any help would be appreciated.

I have also sent you a PM.

John

[HelicopterJohn]

Just thought I would post a little update.

One thing I wanted to say is that Anilam has one of the best customer service departments that I have ever encountered. Tim Podgwaite the Service Manager and all of the personnel there have been extremely helpful in getting my machines up and running. I explained to them that I am a newbie and they have been very courteous and patient with me making me feel like I was their best customer. Tim answered all my questions and supplied any information and documentation I requested in a very expeditious manner.

They also have an excellent programming/applications guy. His name is Richard Parenti, 716-661-1714. He was extremely helpful in helping me sort out my cabling issues as it pertained to DNC,ing files through the RS232 port. Thanks to his help, I can now easily DNC to both of my machines with no problem.

No waiting for days, weeks, months for a return call from this company. They are Number (1) in my book.

If you have a technical question about a Anilam control you should call:

Tim Podgwaite
Service Manager
Acu-Rite Companies, Inc.
716-661-1724

Thanks again to Tim and Richard for helping make my entry into the CNC world a pleasant experience.

Also wanted to thank Toolbit here on the forum for all the information and knowledge he has shared with me.

You guys are GREAT!

[HelicopterJohn]

Anyone interested in CNC Milling in the Tampa, Florida area send me a PM.

Thanks,

John

[BIGO]

Originally Posted by HelicopterJohn Hi, I am retired and have several machine tools one being a Bridgeport Series I 9X42 Milling machine. I am looking at the possibility of either retrofitting this machine to 3 axis CNC or possibly purchasing a used or new CNC mill of similar size. I would appreciate any input on any of these options. If anyone lives in the Tampa, Florida area I would like to talk with them about this. Input from others would also be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help.

I have just returned from atlanta with a small mintec mill with flashcut controls. Flashcut can be adapted to most existing mills. I am a beginner and could use a little help on mills in general. I live a little north of you but come to Tampa at least once a month. Do you know Derek

[HelicopterJohn]

Hi,

I don't know Derek.

I would be glad to talk with you about milling machines. Since I made this post I have purchased a couple of used Seiki XL 3 Axis CNC milling machines. They have an Anilam 1100M control on them. They use conversational language but the control has a utility that can convert G-Code to the conversational language used by the control.

I am not a machinist by trade but do this as a hobby thing.

I will send you a PM with my phone number is case you want to contact me.

Thanks,

John

[big_ham]

Just tripped across this site looking for CNC'ing wood in Tampa. I actually have a job I'd like done that's actually probably better suited to a hobbyist than a professional shop.

I want to make a few poker tables and the way I make them, having perfect cuts helps the entire process go smoothly. I've been using a jigsaw for my previous tables and this is not only time consuming, but very inaccurate.

Does anyone in the Tampa Bay area have the time/capability of cutting oval rings into 4x8 pieces of ply? Basically it's 2 pieces (bottom piece is 1/2" ply, top piece would be 1/4-1/2" maple, pine or similar); one piece with just the corners shaved off to make an oval, the top piece is similar but with 2 "inside" cuts/rings about 4" less in radius than the previous.

Please let me know if you are interested in this small-ish job. Could turn bigger if I can make these as easily as I think with perfect cuts.

Feel free to respond here, PM me or email me via the board. Thanks.

[HelicopterJohn]

Still looking for individuals in the Tampa Bay Area that are interested in talking about CNC and sharing interests and ideas.