Looking at IH CNC mill

[jeremy13]

As with every thing I did find pros and cons to both machines. The Tormach has a faster spindle speed (400rpm faster). And might be more ridged but it is a smaller machine. It uses steppers instead of servos and has less torque in the X and Y movement. And has a max of 65ipm instead of 100ipm. The IH has a gear drive spindle with might make it louder but has more torque. I haven't found much on the table extensions and what they do. As far as the closed loupe or open loupe encoders. I haven't found out what is what. I do see on his conversion kit it comes with encoders like you would use on a DRO.

[BobWarfield]

I've got an IH CNC built from their "mechanicals only" kit. It's very nice. It would be hard to get it done much cheaper if they'll sell you a mechanicals only kit. Not clear they do anymore, though.

OTOH, if you're not handy with electronics, get an assembled controller.

The kit goes together very easily.

It's all documented on my site along with a number of upgrades I've made along the way:

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCMillCNCHome.html

It would not be hard to fabricate your own kit either if you're a decent machinist.

There was also an excellent thread about the Tormach vs the IH on Practical Machinist recently. I think they're pretty comparable and each has its following.

I think you'll outgrow either one before wear of the ways becomes an issue too. A real VMC is just a lot more capable. With that said, they're great hobby and learning tools and would be fine to start up a small business with. You'll learn a lot and be a lot better prepared to deal with a used VMC if you've done a conversion on one of these mills or a knee.

Cheers,

BW

[beanbag]

I just read a bit about the Mikini, and that sounds good too. Someday, I'd like to drive down to their Watsonville factory, put a DTI on the head, and push on it to test for stiffness.
I saw some of their youtube videos and wasn't particularly impressed, though. When cutting thru steel, it made kind of a sickly sound.

I don't really like the manual to cnc converted mills. The head design just looks janky.

Update:
OK Ok, the IH mill doesn't seem too bad either. I just don't like the head design, with all those levers and crap sticking out.