Upgrade to 3040T Machine Table/Bed, options?

[JAZZCNC]

I would love one of those Desktop HAAS machines but I'm not sure I can get them in the UH and would probably be horrendously expensive.

You basically do have a HAAS because they are using pretty much the same cheap Chinese machine in a fancy steel box with a fancy controller which they'll no doubt charge a fortune for.! . . . . The best controller in the world can't make these machines any better so yes you have a HAAS.

Regards the bed then I'd go with the 30mm Ali tooling plate and let the machine drill matrix of holes which you then tap and use for fixturing. Dump the T-slot altogether.

[davitc]

You basically do have a HAAS because they are using pretty much the same cheap Chinese machine in a fancy steel box with a fancy controller which they'll no doubt charge a fortune for.! . . . . The best controller in the world can't make these machines any better so yes you have a HAAS.

Regards the bed then I'd go with the 30mm Ali tooling plate and let the machine drill matrix of holes which you then tap and use for fixturing. Dump the T-slot altogether.

Thanks @JAZZCNC

It would prob be the cheapest option and I don't want to lose too much Z height.

I made an enclosure for it already with some 8mm thick poly-carbonate doors and removable side panels, PC cooling system for the VFD, LED work lamps off amazon and even a solenoid controlled valve for the misting system, it's been a nice project so far :-)

I will prob look at having both M8 and M6 tapped holes and maybe some holes for location pins, oh my it may resemble a tea bag by the time I'm finished :-)

[JAZZCNC]

It would prob be the cheapest option and I don't want to lose too much Z height.

To be honest 20mm will be strong enough here's a little machine I built few years ago that uses a 20mm tooling plate and it's plenty strong enough.