Best Machine for CNC Conversion / General Accuracy and Reliability

[Monty_UK]

Hi All

New member here from Beverley East Yorkshire

I want to buy a mill use it manual at first to make the necessary conversion parts and then convert to CNC

I know there are lots of posts on here but my question relates to the best choice

I am considering

Amadeal VM32L and VM25L
Toolco VM32B
Axminster Engineer Series SX2.7 V2 Mill Drill

I may have missed some choices in this size and price bracket so any pointers would be appreciated

What is the best machine both in terms of base spec and then convertability

Any help will be hugely appreciated

Monty

[dazp1976]

Hi All

New member here from Beverley East Yorkshire

I want to buy a mill use it manual at first to make the necessary conversion parts and then convert to CNC

I know there are lots of posts on here but my question relates to the best choice

I am considering

Amadeal VM32L and VM25L
Toolco VM32B
Axminster Engineer Series SX2.7 V2 Mill Drill

I may have missed some choices in this size and price bracket so any pointers would be appreciated

What is the best machine both in terms of base spec and then convertability

Any help will be hugely appreciated

Monty


Out of those 4...

If you want to cut on Y axis upto around 180mm without any modding it's the Amadeal WM32L with R8 taper all day long for me.
Likely need a couple of changes to get it to a true 220mm (possibly has more in it if done right) .
Nice and heavy so will be plenty rigid.

The Warco is the same machine but MT3 taper can be a pain in the arse.


I have the AMAT25LV (VM25) and had to do a couple of mods to get to 180mm
Can actually get Y to 203mm now with roller blind mod on column and base tweak. Spindle to column is only 185mm though so need a 15mm head space to get 200mm. It's half the weight of the above 2 but rigidity o.k.


Axminster spec looks poor. Less power, lighter (less rigid), MT3.
Considering you can get a VM32L for less, It wouldn't touch SX2.7 with a bargepole!!!!!!!

[Monty_UK]

Thanks for taking the time to respond - much appreciated

[JohnHaine]

https://www.cnc4you.co.uk/MM32L-CNC-FF-Conversion-Factory-Fitted

[BeagleBrainz]

The AMAT25LV looks quite similar to the TopTech (sold Down Under now mostly under the Optimum brand), Optimum (Euro) BF-20L or the Grizzly G704 (USA). The Girzzly would seem to have slightly slimmer castings compared to Optimum.
I have a BF-20L which came with all sliding services scraped. I used a install kit from BD-Tools for the steppers & ball screws, originally for the G704, a few adjustments here & there. Whilst it did come with a MT3 spindle I was able convert it to R8 with bits from Grizzly in the USA. I have also swapped the motor for a 750W servo motor & belt drive. It's a good machine, but as usual sometimes I find it a little small for some jobs. I think the servo motor & drive and belt drive owe me about the same as the mill itself. Tho I have had it for about 10 years and only just bought the sero & drive and the belt drive kit. Just don't ask about tooling or how much I've spent at MESA for electronics.

If you can afford the larger machine go for it....tho I expect you will still wish you had a larger machine sometimes hahaha