Re: Help me choose a mill.
If you're just wanting to machine aluminium, then a small well built router style machine may be a better option, in which case I'll defer to those on here who know far more about them.
However, if you want to do tougher materials, then retrofitting a desktop mill may be a better option. In which case, given the working area you've quoted, I'd look into something X2 sized. There are quite a few options, but if you have a search over on the desktop mill/(S)X2 board on cnczone, then you'll find plenty guides. Also, Hoss over there sells conversion plans, which would remove the need for a lot of head scratching.
Another option may be something like a Denford Novamill, but for that working depth you'd most likely have to add a column raising block (there are plans over on the denford forums)
Re: Help me choose a mill.
Hello. Thanks for the reply. I was told the router style machines were not up to par for aluminium. I don't know if this is true or not. They are certainly cheaper. I found a Chinese import 4 axis for £1100 but I don't trust it!
Re: Help me choose a mill.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Fingerpuk
Hello. Thanks for the reply. I was told the router style machines were not up to par for aluminium. I don't know if this is true or not. They are certainly cheaper. I found a Chinese import 4 axis for £1100 but I don't trust it!
Hi Finger, welcome to the forum :)
How about one of these: Hobby milling machines now in stock Perfect for conversions for £1100 ?, may not be the £1500 your looking for after conversion but I think if you box clever you wouldn't be that far off and the value for money would make it all worth it, plus you would get to enjoy the reward of doing the conversion yourself.
Note: A well designed (and built) gantry style machine can be perfectly capable of machining most metals, harder metals take longer on a "softer" machine. However there is also a definitive line that distinguishes "cutting" metal and something else.
Re: Help me choose a mill.
That's a nice machine, I'll ask them when the CNC conversion is likely to be ready. I know that if I can be accurate enough with flipping the material a three axis will suffice for a while, so I don't mind spending the money on a better machine. But I do need CNC from the offset, I've decided that now :-)
Re: Help me choose a mill.
On a scale of 1-5 how terrible will this be if 5 is entirely awful?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-Stock-4...-/272455253083
I've had no replies from any suppliers in the UK, so I'm still hunting. My aluminium arrives tomorrow though :)
Re: Help me choose a mill.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Fingerpuk
On a scale of 1-5 how terrible will this be if 5 is entirely awful?
No worse that 4. I reserve 5 for the Merchant Dice toy that I started with. At least with this one axis has supported rails.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Fingerpuk
I've had no replies from any suppliers in the UK, so I'm still hunting. My aluminium arrives tomorrow though :)
Don't rush to buy something unsuitable.
Re: Help me choose a mill.
Go for the mill, i can explain all day long why. You will learn the business the proper way and will avoid disappointment from the beginning. When if you decide you need a bigger machine you could find easily new home for that one. Plus you will start loving and knowing your machine when you do yourself the upgrade to CNC. Later you can save some cash and add 4rth axis.
Go for the Chinese router and you will have to change electronics sooner than later, find that machining aluminum is not like they show on videos and that is impossible to produce nice finish and accurate parts.
And main thing to remember is you need support, especially having in mind you are not and experienced user. So carefully choose what you are saving and from whom are you buying!
Re: Help me choose a mill.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Fingerpuk
What Doddy said!
With a bit effort, it could maybe just about reach a 3, but would still be rubbish for Aluminium.
I've got a 3040, and build quality wasn't too bad, but some of the components are really rubbish. I only bought it to create a digitiser, so the original electronics got binned, and I had to put a bit effort into getting the mechanics up to a suitable standard, however they really aren't up to any sort of real machining.
Re: Help me choose a mill.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Fingerpuk
That's a nice machine, I'll ask them when the CNC conversion is likely to be ready. I know that if I can be accurate enough with flipping the material a three axis will suffice for a while, so I don't mind spending the money on a better machine. But I do need CNC from the offset, I've decided that now :-)
Working on it!
Re: Help me choose a mill.
You are working on the conversion? Nice.
I've taken everything on board and will be going for the mill. I'll either wait for the conversion to be ready, or if that's going to be ages I'll convert later. 4 axis can wait 6 months. In the meantime I'll be researching how to hold pieces for flipping and milling the reverse side.
Re: Help me choose a mill.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Fingerpuk
You are working on the conversion? Nice.
I've taken everything on board and will be going for the mill. I'll either wait for the conversion to be ready, or if that's going to be ages I'll convert later. 4 axis can wait 6 months. In the meantime I'll be researching how to hold pieces for flipping and milling the reverse side.
Fixture with 2 dowel pins or vacuum table and use some pins same as holes size. The vacuum table type that are flat top and have only holes there
Re: Help me choose a mill.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Fingerpuk
You are working on the conversion? Nice.
I've taken everything on board and will be going for the mill. I'll either wait for the conversion to be ready, or if that's going to be ages I'll convert later. 4 axis can wait 6 months. In the meantime I'll be researching how to hold pieces for flipping and milling the reverse side.
:thumsup:, the pin method is quite the common choice, have a look on YouTube as some of it will be software related so you'll learn a bit there too.
