new member about to buy a machine here we go...

hi guys i work as a cnc machinist on a xyz machine i have only been doing it a year or so, so im pretty new to it but iv picked up the programing side very quick...

now heres the big question! i want to stat up my own little business makeing small custom car parts nothing bigger than 110mm in diameter... now i can do a little amount of milling at work so i want a smaller machine at home so i can do the detail engraving that would take to long at work!

so my first option is a cnc3020 just due to the price of it...

then theres the 6040 which is a bit big and slightly expensive

then theres this CNC Routers - Mill 2000 milling Maching

its all going to be made out of ally mostly using 1-4mm cutters tops so its not going to be running fast feeds really butdo need the speed...

heres a few pics of what I'm making

http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_1958.jpg
http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/a...D1684C6127.jpg
http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_1953.jpg

so basically will a 3020 do me?

No, not a suitable machine.

The mill 2000 is very limited as well, too small a motor, too small a footprint.
Either start off with a better machine and convert it or save up for a better machine or you will finish up buying twice.

What would you recommend?!

Question is how deep are your pockets?

Not very hance me going for a 3020 90% of the milling/turning will be done at work it's just the engraving done on top of the piece... Untill and if I upgrade...

You mean your going to use your employers machinery for home jobs:hororr:
Thats shocking, you would never catch me doing that. I try to get it all done before he comes in!!

I'm a good boy and ask permission first ;)

This was done on a CNC converted SiegSX2 mill.

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/09...vis_wheel2.jpg[/IMG]

Is that not what the super mill 2000 was I linked too in my first post?!

Yes true, this was No ?? machine.

This is the off first machine.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/09...rexelblock.jpg

Well after a fair amount of research the x2 seems the best option converting it seems easy enough with vids on YouTube...
the kit in those videos didn't have a control box so I'm stumped at that bit but a guy from work is helping me with sorting a kit out and iv found a x2 for £580 is that decent that's brand new aswell...

I would wait & save the pennies until you have a bit more, can't help thinking that although you say that is all you need once you have it other ideas will come to you & the machine will not be suitable for your needs & you will regret not buying something a bit bigger.

this is still for sale, ideal for this type of job.

http://www.mycncuk.com/forums/items-...c-pc-sale.html

We have gone from a £400 3020 to a £1kish x2 to a £2200 triac :/ I'm having a word with my old boss this week he's always up for business ideas... But to be blowing that kinda cash I have to be 100% sure the market is there! It's sounds promising at the min but u can't be definite
my plan is to make a chuck to replace a jig to knock out a first run of a product off all works well then I may outsource till I have enough money to buy a decent sized machine like you guys are suggesting... Does that sound logical?!u