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I have recently decided that the time has come to put a CNC mill in my modest home shop. Business has been rewarding lately and if I want to keep my customers happy then I need to upgrade. I first decided that a converted knee mill would work but after some research I found that I should be looking for a VMC, enclosed with a tool changer. So I know what I need but now I have to find a machine that is around $7500 or less (I can afford 10k but it needs to be a heck of a deal because that is the entire budget for this project, tooling, power supply and all) and will fit under a standard home garage door, about 7ft tall. Once inside the garage I have about 9.5ft of ceiling but its getting through the door that is going to be a problem. I have read about guys doing it before, removing Z axis motors and such so I know that it is realistic. What I don't know is what machines out there would fit the bill or if anyone knows of such a mill. I am looking for some suggestions or leads and any advice. Thanks everyone.
Steve
I have a 7' door also.
A leadwell MCVO fits under the door (JUST) without taking anything off.
A bridgeport Torqcut22 is supposed to ( I don't have one to verify)
I recently Bought a MightyComet 500P and I just had to remove the Z axis motor and loosen the Wire track to get that in the garage.
A Haas Office Mill is 84" max operating height.
http://www.kirkcon.com/
I have been thinking about a Torqcut but was unsure about the height, anyone out there know?Originally Posted by A1CNC
I thought about the office mill but the price is too much and I would like something more rigid and with an ATC. I have a height of around 114" but I have to get a machine under the 7ft door first. Once in I should have enough space overhead.
Steve
Wait. Maybe I misunderstood. You are going to buy a new machine for $7500 that meets all of your requirements?
BOL
http://www.kirkcon.com/
I wish I could get a new machine for $7500.I am trying to find an older machine that can get as close to my requirements as possible and will fit under a 7ft door for 10k or less. I say $7500 because I need to factor in rigging, tooling, coolant, power etc. I have not come across much but there are a few VMC's out there for any where between $5000 and $7500. Sorry, I should have been more descriptive in my original post.
Steve
Oh. Ok. So, if you could find a used Haas Office Mill for $7500, it might work then. Have you searched auctions in your area? I was also thinking a Kira "drilling" machine would work for what you want as far as height restrictions. I worked a place for 3 years that had several of them that were used for production work. They had enough power and rigidity to run a 2 inch face mill on 0.100 DOC in aluminum.
http://www.kirkcon.com/
I got a haas minimill a month ago 7 feet high door as well it was a chalenge to go in but we did it. just had to remove the garage door.Also dont want to descorage you but $7500 I dont think you can get what you want for that kind of money. But all you can do is looking around there is always good deals out there . I wish you the best.
One thing you didn't say was what travels you need.
The Mighty comet I bought Has 21 x 14 y and 21 Z Rigid tapping and 8k spindle.
The Leadwell has 18 x 14 y 14 Z with a 6K spindle.
Tha Torqcuts have 22 x 16 y 20 Z Either 7500 rpm or up to 10K Spindles and I think all of those had rigid tapping.
I would love to find a Haas for $7500 but the name usually ads a premium to the price. I had a local reseller offer me a robodrill but the price was more than I had. I had discounted the "drilling and tapping centers" because I thought that they would not be rigid enough. I guess I was wrong but I also don't want to limit what I can make in the future by going with that style of machine.
I know that I am asking for a lot with a small budget. I have come across a few machines already that I thought would be what I needed and were in my range but I was either wrong or not fast enough. Granted they were older or off brand machines but I am confident that I will be able to find something that will compromise between price and features. Hopefully I can figure out what I need to be looking for and then find a good deal on one.
To be totally honest I have zero experience with VMC's. I know that I would like to set up any potential machine with 2 or 3 vises to perform all of my operations at every part change. That would be a luxury and not on the top of my list of requirements right now. Rigid tapping would be great and pretty important if I could find a capable machine. Right now I tap 800 to 1200 holes per run, and I have been doing that on a Bridgeport.I have come across a couple of decent Torqcuts but they were out of my range. I might need to take a closer look at them and see what I can come up with.
Thanks again for all of the input guys.
Steve
Threaded holes can also be done with threadmilling as long as the machine can do 3axis helical interpolation.
Any of the machines I mentioned so far can do that.
"Also dont want to descorage you but $7500 I dont think you can get what you want for that kind of money."
I have (3) VMC's And a turning center That I purchased separately, Total spent...$7800. not including rigging.
Just figure out exactly what you need and that will eliminate some options, then look everywhere untill you find what you need.
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