Really New at Milling

[04 Marine]

Hi Folks,

Really new means I have not bought a CNC milling machine yet. I have a Smithy 1324 3 in 1 combo that I use and a CNC Plasma table that I build aircraft weather vanes with. But I have to rely on others for 3D items and since I'm a very small fry it's hard to get things made a few here and a few there. So it's time to step up and do it myself.

I'm thinking that I'd like to buy a Taig 2019CR-ER. I already have my stepper motors, breakout boards, power supply etc.. And I've chosen CNCDesk as my entry level software. I do use TurboCad and Mach 3, but need to get smarter on 3D programming.

Mostly, I have a requirement to cut aluminum and sometimes 4130 steel when I make parts for other experimental aircraft builders.

I'm sure that even the newest of those amongst you are far more skilled than I. So I'd like to hear your thoughts about my choice for an entry level CNC mill. I'm a retired guy with a home shop, not a daily production facility.

Thanks,

Glen Porter, Major USMC (Ret.)
Private to Major via CWO-4
1966-1990

[awerby]

Hi Folks,

Really new means I have not bought a CNC milling machine yet. I have a Smithy 1324 3 in 1 combo that I use and a CNC Plasma table that I build aircraft weather vanes with. But I have to rely on others for 3D items and since I'm a very small fry it's hard to get things made a few here and a few there. So it's time to step up and do it myself.

[That sounds like a good plan.]

I'm thinking that I'd like to buy a Taig 2019CR-ER. I already have my stepper motors, breakout boards, power supply etc.. And I've chosen CNCDesk as my entry level software. I do use TurboCad and Mach 3, but need to get smarter on 3D programming.

[The Taig is a nice little mill. If your parts fit in its envelope, it should work for you. I'm not sure about CNCDesk though - isn't that a DOS program? You might want to find something a bit more advanced, if you're putting in the effort to learn it. If you share more information about what your control system consists of, you might get some knowledgeable comments about it.]

Mostly, I have a requirement to cut aluminum and sometimes 4130 steel when I make parts for other experimental aircraft builders.

[As long as the steel's annealed, and you take it somewhat easy, that should work.]

I'm sure that even the newest of those amongst you are far more skilled than I. So I'd like to hear your thoughts about my choice for an entry level CNC mill. I'm a retired guy with a home shop, not a daily production facility.

Thanks,

Glen Porter, Major USMC (Ret.)
Private to Major via CWO-4
1966-1990

[The mill's a good choice, but if you've chosen the very cheapest Chinese control system available on Ebay, that might not do it justice. And I'd say to try some various different software solutions before settling on a program, because you're going to be spending a lot of time with it...]

Andrew Werby
ComputerSculpture.com — Home Page for Discount Hardware & Software

[04 Marine]

Andrew,

Thank you for the response. I do have the cheap control boards, and I also have a better set and may try both just to satisfy a personal curiosity. Mostly I use the CNC Plasma table to build military aircraft weather vanes. If you Goggle "military aircraft weather vanes" I normally come up as the number one response.

Mainly, I was looking for some thoughts on the Taig mill. What manfacturers boast and what users experience can and ofter are two entirely different things. I could actually build most of what I need on the Smithy 1324, but have been looking for a good or poor reason to buy a small CNC mill.

Glen

[Fixittt]

the main thing your going to notice, in comparison is its size. The taig and other "Desktop" machines are tiny compared to the benchtop machines. This limits them. Here is what I tell people. "All machines have their limits. If you work the machine within these limits then it will do what you want it to do. Step outside of these and stuff breaks. Now you have to figure out if you have the time and patience to learn and work within these limits"

If your used to taking .200 thou deep cuts with a .5 endmill. Guess what.......... that is outside the limits.

Small endmills, shallow depth of cut and slower feeds. But they will get the job done.

One member on here asked a question.
"Will a sherline cnc mill machine out an 1911 gun frame?" Yes it will, but why would you want to? The time it would take, its just not the right tool for the job, but it can do it.

[Fixittt]

*double post* sorry

[04 Marine]

the main thing your going to notice, in comparison is its size. The taig and other "Desktop" machines are tiny compared to the benchtop machines. This limits them. Here is what I tell people. "All machines have their limits. If you work the machine within these limits then it will do what you want it to do. Step outside of these and stuff breaks. Now you have to figure out if you have the time and patience to learn and work within these limits"

If your used to taking .200 thou deep cuts with a .5 endmill. Guess what.......... that is outside the limits.

Small endmills, shallow depth of cut and slower feeds. But they will get the job done.

One member on here asked a question.
"Will a sherline cnc mill machine out an 1911 gun frame?" Yes it will, but why would you want to? The time it would take, its just not the right tool for the job, but it can do it.

Thanks so much for the response and advice. Actually, a small mill is exactly what I am looking for. Much of what I have made for my weather vane activity is out of 6061 T-6 aluminum. My propeller spinners are only .75 wide and 1.0 long. My big item is the rotor heads for my helicopters. They are 2.5 wide and .562 high. If I move up to a CNC mill, I'll also start to do some custom bronze belt buckles, airplanes, call signs, squadron patches etc. For me the advantage of the small mill is that I can load it in the motor home and do custom milling right at an airshow. Then I have the ability to plate in several colors, Nickle, Copper, Silver and Gold. So a small mill would be just the ticket. I don't do heavy or large items as I have some physical issues. Having flown 350 combat missions in Viet Nam as a .50 Cal. door gunner, I've been hit by shrapnel, shot and shot down. Now in my mid 60's it all starting to get back at me. So for me a small mill is just right, I think the sheline is to small, but if the taig is a user favorite, I think it's just right.

Glen

[cameraguy]

I think the sherline is to small, but if the taig is a user favorite, I think it's just right.
Glen

I would concur. A Sherline is a fairly lightly-built machine meant mainly for model makers. A Taig isn't much bigger but it is one hell of a lot more stout. It should handle what you want to do quite easily.