howdy folks.
I've come across yet another of life's crossroads.. and my Gcode
is ambiguous on which way to go.
I've been getting more and more into prototyping (plastic, aluminum,
etc etc) -- curvy consumer product stuff. I do the design
work and then it gets sent off to be (usually) rapid prototyped.
I'd like to have the ability to mill some of these parts in house.
So my requirements are:
- around 250-300mm in X&Y
- 300mm would be great for Z but 200 might cut it (pun intended)
- 4th axis
- fast spindle.
- price range: $6-8k including 4th axis, tooling, etc.
I built a CNC plasma a couple of years ago and, thought it works
great, I don't know if I have it in me (time/energy) to build a mill.
I'd love to, but I think I'd rather just jump in make some parts.
Something to consider: I do have a (manual) Bridgeport. I could,
in theory, throw a CNC kit at it -- but I don't know how agile it
might be for small parts (think cell phones, hair dryers, etc) --
anyone know what I'd be looking to spend to convert the Bridgeport?
Anyway, I really like the Roland benchtop mills:
http://www.rolanddga.com/ -- but their top of the line is pricey.
I really like the Tormach too -- but again, out of my price range
once I get all the bells and whistles.
I remember some posts ago about the Taig/Seig X something or
other -- are those around yet? and have they been burned in?
I'd like something a little higher build quality -- but its not
absolutely mandatory.
So, if you had $6-8k to spend on a CNC mill -- which way would you
go?
Thanks,
-Tony
I've come across yet another of life's crossroads.. and my Gcode
is ambiguous on which way to go.
I've been getting more and more into prototyping (plastic, aluminum,
etc etc) -- curvy consumer product stuff. I do the design
work and then it gets sent off to be (usually) rapid prototyped.
I'd like to have the ability to mill some of these parts in house.
So my requirements are:
- around 250-300mm in X&Y
- 300mm would be great for Z but 200 might cut it (pun intended)
- 4th axis
- fast spindle.
- price range: $6-8k including 4th axis, tooling, etc.
I built a CNC plasma a couple of years ago and, thought it works
great, I don't know if I have it in me (time/energy) to build a mill.
I'd love to, but I think I'd rather just jump in make some parts.
Something to consider: I do have a (manual) Bridgeport. I could,
in theory, throw a CNC kit at it -- but I don't know how agile it
might be for small parts (think cell phones, hair dryers, etc) --
anyone know what I'd be looking to spend to convert the Bridgeport?
Anyway, I really like the Roland benchtop mills:
http://www.rolanddga.com/ -- but their top of the line is pricey.
I really like the Tormach too -- but again, out of my price range
once I get all the bells and whistles.
I remember some posts ago about the Taig/Seig X something or
other -- are those around yet? and have they been burned in?
I'd like something a little higher build quality -- but its not
absolutely mandatory.
So, if you had $6-8k to spend on a CNC mill -- which way would you
go?
Thanks,
-Tony
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