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About the rpm- you do have the option to use a high speed spindle mounted through the machines spindle bore. You don't have to run the machines own spindle- it just becomes a holder for the high speed spindle, which would have it's own motor. This could be something you make yourself, when and if you really need the 20k rpm. I wouldn't worry so much about the rpm limitations of the main spindle as I would about the general solidness of the machine. You're asking 'wouldn't I be able to make parts on a wimpy machine anyway, if I just took more time'- well the real answer is that it's a pain to use a too-flexible machine, and you won't enjoy the experience.
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I seldom do anything within the scope of logical reason and calculated cost/benefit, etc- I'm following my passion- -
That's a "yes, BUT" answer, however it is perfectly true about the "a pain to use". As to the "enjoyment" part (and maybe also the "pain to use"), well that depends on whether you have had the opportunity to use a tool better suited to the task.Originally posted by darryl View Post
My original lathe a couple decades ago was one of those 6" AA machines. I did quite a bit of work with it, but it always took a considerable time. I did not consider it a pain, simply because I had very little to compare it to.
Once I got a decent 10" Logan, I found that a "real lathe" could do so much more is a far shorter time. Instantly, working with the old one turned into "a pain", and I sold it off (at a profit, I might add) quickly.
As for the debates about small work, spindle speed, etc, I can tell you here and now that basically anything you want to do can be done on a Bridgeport. I know this because there are people who do just that, make quite tiny medical device parts with a Bridgeport mill, that does not do 10,000 rpm.
CNC machines only go through the motions.
Ideas expressed may be mine, or from anyone else in the universe.
Not responsible for clerical errors. Or those made by lay people either.
Number formats and units may be chosen at random depending on what day it is.
I reserve the right to use a number system with any integer base without prior notice.
Generalizations are understood to be "often" true, but not true in every case.Comment
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ship, have you considered building it yourself? (→epoxy granite casting)Comment
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Dian, he's posted previously that all his work is done in the main living area. So no shop with bigger tools to allow building his own out of anything or for doing any post casting or for shaping ways etc. This pretty much has to be an out of the box "plug and play" solution.Chilliwack BC, CanadaComment
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Just spotted a gorgeous Sixis 101 : https://www.nielsmachines.com/en/six...cessories.html
Only as much as a car, and way over the weight limit.
Apparently as well as not being allowed a car that costs as much as a house I’m also not allowed a mill that costs as much as a car...
Just south of Sudspumpwater UKComment
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That guy seems to come up with a lot of real treasures, but I also can't believe his prices. I'd expect a mill like that to be 8000 - 10,000 dollars if on ebay, but 18000 Euros? wow. I guess I'm wrong as his stuff does sellOriginally posted by small.planes View Postlocated in Toronto OntarioComment
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You don't need a fully equipped shop to make an epoxy granite mill. Simple tools and accurate measuring will do it.Comment
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for "some reason" im now getting this popup: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Prec....c100281.m3567
maybe get that and start improving on it.Comment
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Those are rubbish. If the op is concerned about a Proxxon then these are 10x worse.
I bought one as a sacrificial xy for a tool grinder idea.
It’s ok for that after I remade the gibs, replaced all the gib adjusting bolts and then screw cut a left hand leadscrew for it and made a matching nut.
For the price I knew what I was getting and give it is being ground to death (literally) I didn’t want to spend too much...
DaveJust south of Sudspumpwater UKComment
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UPDATE ON MY THOUGHTS
Thank you for all your thoughts, everyone but I think I'm at the end of the road, for now at least.
Everyone keep saying that the Proxxon MF70 (100w, 7Kg, GBP 310) has a wobbly spindle [I forget the correct jargon] and that it can't really cope with milling steel, at least not without upgrading the bearings and probably the motor too.
I think it's going to be a Sherline if it's anything. My problem is that a Sherline (250w) is quite a big jump in weight (16Kg) but a HUGE jump in cost... probably more like GBP 1500 for a kit including faster pulley weels (to get 1000rpm)
But if spending that sort of money, for about the same cost, a Taig would do 10,000 rpm without special pulleys and would be maybe slightly cheaper, but it's double the weight at 36Kg. Until I see one in the flesh I don't know how realistic it would be for a domestic environment.
Truth-to-tell, I was hoping to spend maybe GBP 500 to 800... and yes for just over that (c. GBP 880) I could buy a Proxxon FF230 (17Kg, 140w) but its top speed is too slow (2200 rpm) and again it seems the build quality itn't really there.
So for now I'm stuck... :^(
What about a modern table-top CNC? At least they tend to come with screens to keep the small shards of metal at bay... And maybe I could leave the thing on the shelf while it cuts! But can any of them (at a half-sensible price) cope with milling mild steel?
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elf
> I think you should stop thinking mill and start thinking CNC router. Stefan Gotteswinter likes this one.
Although I am hoping that a small-ish/compact CNC machine could fit into my domestic environment... to be honest, "Stepmores SM-4040 CNC Router" just looks too darned large to reasonably fit onto any normal domestic shelf! It also doesn't come with an enclosure.
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Your GoogleFu must be weak 😃 StepMores makes several smaller machines which I would expect to perform similarly to the 6060 and are easy to find on their webpage. Enclosures can be easily built with a trip to the local hardware store and a few hand tools. Certainly not an insurmountable obstacle.Comment
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