What 'decent' Milling machine?

**Chaz** · 30-05-2015

Originally Posted by komatias

I spotted that last Interact. If you can mod it to run off single phase, it is a steal..

This one?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bridgeport...c=1&rmvSB=true

**komatias** · 30-05-2015

yes that is the one

**Chaz** · 31-05-2015

What is this worth?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Denford-Tr...item3aa95b6db3

This might give me a starting point at least. Id be willing to spend a bit more for 'better' but short of someone building me a custom machine (hint hint Jazz), not a lot of options ready to go. Im loathed to spend as much as £5 - 8K on a Syil or similar unless its felt that its worth it .... dont believe it is from advise thus far.

**JohnHaine** · 01-06-2015

I have a little Denford and it's excellent for what I want to do. A Triac would be nice as it's bigger, about the size of my VMB, but I don't have room for it. Unless you are very particular I'd have thought a Triac would be a good buy. When I got my Novamill I was thinking of converting an X1 or buying a KX1, but the Denford knocks those small machines into a cocked hat, it's just in a different league. A Bridgeport is great, but takes up lots of room, and is very very heavy! I would guess that with a Triac you would get the same accuracy as a Bridgy but won't be able to shave off metal as the same rate.

As for what it's worth, things are worth what people will pay. This particular one is not in an auction but you could try making an offer. I think eBay gives you a facility to see previous deals on similar items, so you could see what's been paid in the past? The price looks a bit high to me but I've seen some high prices for Denfords on eBay.

**Chaz** · 02-06-2015

Originally Posted by JohnHaine

I have a little Denford and it's excellent for what I want to do. A Triac would be nice as it's bigger, about the size of my VMB, but I don't have room for it. Unless you are very particular I'd have thought a Triac would be a good buy. When I got my Novamill I was thinking of converting an X1 or buying a KX1, but the Denford knocks those small machines into a cocked hat, it's just in a different league. A Bridgeport is great, but takes up lots of room, and is very very heavy! I would guess that with a Triac you would get the same accuracy as a Bridgy but won't be able to shave off metal as the same rate.

As for what it's worth, things are worth what people will pay. This particular one is not in an auction but you could try making an offer. I think eBay gives you a facility to see previous deals on similar items, so you could see what's been paid in the past? The price looks a bit high to me but I've seen some high prices for Denfords on eBay.

So I found a Denford Traic PC, dont know much about the control system. What will the cost be to convert to Mach3? How much of the electronics is reusable?

**Jess** · 02-06-2015

Originally Posted by Chaz

So I found a Denford Traic PC, dont know much about the control system. What will the cost be to convert to Mach3? How much of the electronics is reusable?

I think quite a bit technically is. Denford have been pretty good at providing documentation and so forth. So, in principle, you can probably wire a breakout board to those drives, if they're working.

However, the electronics are often pretty old and basic. Most of the conversions I've seen seem to replace everything, except perhaps the motors and maybe the transformer.

Personally, I'd budget for replacing all of the electronics.

**Chaz** · 02-06-2015

Originally Posted by Jess

I think quite a bit technically is. Denford have been pretty good at providing documentation and so forth. So, in principle, you can probably wire a breakout board to those drives, if they're working.

However, the electronics are often pretty old and basic. Most of the conversions I've seen seem to replace everything, except perhaps the motors and maybe the transformer.

Personally, I'd budget for replacing all of the electronics.

Thanks, including motors?

**Chaz** · 02-06-2015

Wondering if this is the same mill?

http://www.mycncuk.com/threads/1605-Denford-Triac-Mill

Seems a lot might be reusable. So budget for a cheap retrofit? Budget for going servo versus stepper? Info welcome, many thanks.

**JAZZCNC** · 02-06-2015

Originally Posted by Chaz

So I found a Denford Traic PC, dont know much about the control system. What will the cost be to convert to Mach3? How much of the electronics is reusable?

Depends on how old and what's inside.? Often if converting your better just replacing control and the drives with modern stuff. You'll have a far better performing machine.

The AC Transformer can be re-used but often the Caps and Bridge rectifier are on one of the boards your removing so you'll need to make a little board with new caps etc or use another PSU.
For this reason I prefer to use a new often higher voltage toroidal supply has the steppers are often well under performing. Along with smaller Switch mode PSU for Relays etc to save messing around with differant size Caps etc for differant DC voltages required. The stock transformer gives several AC voltages.

The Spindle speed controller can be re-used but you'll need Controller or BOB that can provide 0-10V signal.

The Contactors and Relays can often be reused, as can most of the other bit's n bobs inside.!

Not difficult to do but Not something I'd encourage anyone who as NO experience to take on.!!

**Chaz** · 02-06-2015

Originally Posted by JAZZCNC

Depends on how old and what's inside.? Often if converting your better just replacing control and the drives with modern stuff. You'll have a far better performing machine.

The AC Transformer can be re-used but often the Caps and Bridge rectifier are on one of the boards your removing so you'll need to make a little board with new caps etc or use another PSU.
For this reason I prefer to use a new often higher voltage toroidal supply has the steppers are often well under performing. Along with smaller Switch mode PSU for Relays etc to save messing around with differant size Caps etc for differant DC voltages required. The stock transformer gives several AC voltages.

The Spindle speed controller can be re-used but you'll need Controller or BOB that can provide 0-10V signal.

The Contactors and Relays can often be reused, as can most of the other bit's n bobs inside.!

Not difficult to do but Not something I'd encourage anyone who as NO experience to take on.!!

Thanks. Understood. I'm happy to do the electronics, sounds like a perfect match for a lot of new kit.

Trying to find some details of the spindle etc to see if it matches what I need in terms of speed / power.