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I was in the same position as you then I bought my tormach with all the tooling that I had from my manual mil it was pretty inexpensive , I cut 4130 bar all day long with mine and you get pretty good size work zone
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hello all - long time reader, first time poster. i would argue that this website contains more information than the internet itself!
I have been researching/looking for a complete benchtop CNC mill for sometime. Will need it mostly for small parts 2x2x6 rectangle or 2-3" round aluminum and possibly steel, hobby/light production. I have some machining and cnc knowledge but for sake of saving time am looking for the most complete, ready to go out of the box solution, meaning little (add a pc) to no additional equipment (besides tooling) will be needed to get started.
I have seen many machines out there from sherline, taig, x2/x3 many brands, tormach, etc, etc. i simply want your vote for most complete solution and from what vendor. i would like to keep it under 500lbs if possible.
thanks!
I was in the same position as you then I bought my tormach with all the tooling that I had from my manual mil it was pretty inexpensive , I cut 4130 bar all day long with mine and you get pretty good size work zone
Turnkey package DA,
Welcome to the Zone,
Questions like you are asking almost always start heated discussions here on the Zone.
Is budget a concern?
Talking about $1,500.00 verses $8,500.00 might be a issue.
Are you doing a couple of small projects each month or do you need a machine that will be running several hours a day doing production for income?
Jeff...
Under 4k would be nice, in the 2-3 range would be great. start out as hobby, at most a few hours a day for the foreseeable future.
my main concern is saving time and getting something that is as close to ready to machine as possible. i just dont have the time or expertise to buy a a manual and convert to CNC right now, even though it would probably be better for performance. my understanding is cncing yourself requires many, many hours. as of today some flavor of X2 CNC looks like it will fit my needs.
my "envelope" will be quite small, mainly similar identical parts of the same size 2x2x6 rectangle or 2-3" round stock alumiunum and possibly steel to start.
thanks
function - what model tormach and approx how much did you spend?
You might want to think about a larger machine. DA,
For cutting steel several hours a day, you might want to think about a larger machine.
Also I understand what you said about not wanting to build your own however there are some very good kits that would allow you to step up to a larger size machine and stay within your budget due to the cost savings.
There are several options that would not require any machining, just light assembly.
Three or four evenings worth of work and you will be up and running.
I would look at these options:
http://grizzly.com/products/6-x-21-Mill-Drill/G0619
http://www.cncfusion.com/smallmill1.html
The new Gecko G540 for a driver solution will be production soon.
Depending where you live a Zone member might even help you.
Jeff...
I bought the base machine for 6800 plus shipping, 7400 shipped to my shop 100 for materials for the enclosure, I bought the machine because I was paying out more a month for prototypes than my monthly payments now 400.00 for one job alone , just made sense with my background as a machinist and as an engineer to do the job myself
Da,
The Tormach is a great machine however the least expensive is $6,800.00 not including a stand and it weights 1,100 lbs
Jeff...
Ok I have a tormach but in your case would definitly say go with an x3 it is a little higher then what you want to spend but it will allow you to go forward and dont let anyone say anything bad about the machine I researched these for 6 mounths straight including where they are manufactured now I will say the tormach is the best for the price and size but it is much higher then what you want to spend. The x2 would do what you want but thats all so the x3 or even x4 would make you happy Im sure and alot of people here will agree. Go watch the videos of them running on yahoo or youtube. Good luck.
I did want to mention that I would only run one of these small machines on a desktop computer dedicated to the mill and your cad/cam software only.
jeff- is the grizzle model you mention, basicall their flavor of the X3? http://grizzly.com/products/6-x-21-Mill-Drill/G0619
is the X3 actually not being made anylonger? i noticed syil doesnt stock their version currently.
maybe x3 type will be the way to go. how many man hours approx to install cnc yourself? what is the approx cost savings in a rough estimation? a few hundred bucks or a 1000 or more?
great feedback guys, thanks.
also - what is the difference between the grizzly x3 and the HF x3, why is the grizzly 200 bucks more?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93885
DA,
Yes it is a X3
It should not take more that a weekend to do a kit.
Probably a $1,000 dollars is a good guess on the savings.
The cost of a complete Super X2 is $3,495, you could assembly a X3 for that kind of money.
Jeff...
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