Coming Down to the Taig Micro Mill or Grizzly Mini Mill.

[SpeedsCustom]

Hello everyone, I have been doing research on the topic for about two weeks or so. I'm looking for an afforable milling machine, doing small jobs.

With that said, I was going to go with the Harbor Freight, Grizzzly, Micr-Mark Mini Mills. But I also came across the Taig Micro Mill.

I have heard about both but have heard that the quality of Taig is better and the Micro Mill is built better.


Any insight?


-Jason

[Deviant]

I'm assuming that since your on a cnc forum. Your planning on cnc'ing the mill?

So your comparing the x2 to the taig?

I have a mini mill and a x3.

The mini mill is pretty solid. I haven't been 100% impressed with the fit and finish from the factory. It's a decent lil mill.

The taig appears to be alot cleaner and I know that Nick Carter has been one of the best people to answer my emails. ((Even though, I didn't go with the taig))

I can say that in my recent purchase. I had in narrowed to the taig or the x3.

If your really comparing the taig to the x2. I'd go with the taig.

It's not as solid as the x2, but I think you could augment that. Whether it involved filling the columns with type of expoxy/cement etc.

I made my choice for the x3 based on it's over all bulk and it's z axis travel.

I'll sell my x2 after I complete my conversion. Which is delayed again.
The downside is that the x3 will require me to retro fit it.

[SpeedsCustom]

I actually was about to buy a TAIG for 505.00 when the guy screwed me over....

I never knew getting a Mini Mill could be so hard.

-Jason

[dcprecision]

Having owned them all, If you can affoard it, the x-3 is the way to go because it offers so much more machining capability as both a conventional mill with a DRO and as a cnc converted machine. The R-8 spindle allows easy use of a boring head, large dia. surface mill, or individual tool holders. Precision quick change R-8 systems are available also. The X-3 rigidness is many orders of magnitude greater than the TAG or mini. It will also have a much greater resale value if you decide to move on to another machine in the future.

You can make small parts on a bigger machine, the opposite is not true !!

[speedofsound]

Originally Posted by dcprecision You can make small parts on a bigger machine, the opposite is not true !!

Isn't that the truth!

Taig 2000LE owner here. It was my first experience with CNC, and taught me a lot.

This mill has made many parts (all small, plastic auto interior pieces) for my small business. An example of the work it produces is here: www.speedofsoundllc.com/limitededitionparts.html

My partner and I are headed to pick up a new, full-size mill this weekend. The Taig will stay in the shop, and likely be used for small scale projects and R&D.

No real gripes with the mill, other than it has a tendency to loose steps from time to time, ruining the part. This occurs most often on rapids to clearance (Z axis).

Alan

[Ron111]

Speedofsound,
Nice work, what mill are you picking up?

Speedscustom,
Tend to agree with DCPRECISION, the X3 looks like a good choice. I think that you could use economical drivers and steppers and not have too much invested in a pretty versitile mill. (but it is double the price of the X2) Jason, I guess the big question would be what type of projects are you planning, and what is the minimum travel that you would need. I see some of the smaller machines and the guys are doing some pretty neat work like sound of speed, and I'm impressed.

Ron

[speedofsound]

Originally Posted by Ron111 Speedofsound, Nice work, what mill are you picking up?

We're adding a Milltronics MB18 to the shop. It's a pretty big step up for us, but the Taig taught a lot of important lessons which will carry over. That's the hope, anyway.

Alan

[SpeedsCustom]

The work I can do, has been done a crap converted drill press. I'm aasuming though the quality of my cuts should be probobaly better on a Mini Mill.

I don't even think i'm going with Taig or Grizzly, rather a Precise 9550 Vetical Mill.



-Speed

[Ron111]

Not famular with a 9550 Vertical Mill, if you can post a pic or a link to a site. This is a new one to me.

Ron

[Ron111]

Speedofsound,
That's quite a jump from a Taig. I hope you will be cutting heavier stuff than your panels with a 5 HP monster!!!!!
Infact, are you getting the a toolchanger with it? It's a nice looking machine.

Ron

[speedofsound]

Originally Posted by Ron111 Speedofsound, That's quite a jump from a Taig. I hope you will be cutting heavier stuff than your panels with a 5 HP monster!!!!! Infact, are you getting the a toolchanger with it? It's a nice looking machine. Ron

We definitely have plans of doing more than our simple parts with the new mill. Up to now, we've been limited to the work area of the Taig, but have so many ideas that require a bigger working area.

No auto tool changer, but we will add a quick change setup to it.

[SpeedsCustom]

This is pretty much like everyone else, except I can do a local Pick-Up, which is a big +++!

http://www.emachinetool.com/new/cata...?ProductID=953

-Speed