New to CNC - machine ideas to fit needs and budget.

[annamarie123]

Forgive me for posting on here as I wish to message you JAZZCNC but not sure how. Interested in a custom build. If I figure out how to pm will do so!

[Kitwn]

JAZZCNC - now that is a cracking answer. For a novice the machine I posted looks fine. It not until someone who has real knowledge and experience explains the reason why it’s not can a more informed decision be made.

When I first built a small desktop type machine a few years ago I had no idea just how flimsy it was in truth. It's only with a little experience that you realise how substantial a machine needs to be if it's going to resist the forces involved in doing it's job without significantly distorting out of shape.

[Boyan Silyavski]

I have the following funny mind chart and i am very serious here. When i first look at sth i judge what i will need to break it.



If i can damage a machine or any element of it to render it non functional using:

1. one bare hand, includes dropping it - i will not even waste time talking about it at all

2. 2 bare hands will advise strongly against buying it every time i see a post about it, does not matter what is about

3. Using hands and feet, kicking, stomping, etc. will say its a crap but can do a simple job or could be used to introduce one to the type of machine / the machine we discussed /

4. If i need a hammer and additional instruments--well made

5. If i need a big long sledge hammer, pry bar and a beer rest to think of a strategy how to accomplish that - then its build up to my standard

6. If i need an Oxygen torch- well that's up to an industrial standard machine, we are talking about a mill, VMC or big industrial router

7. If it involves helpers, truck and all of the above- well, that's a serious sh*t

8. If i have to googlle and read literature how to be able to break it, well. That may be a German or Japaneze machine. The real deal.



All the hobby stuff from China is 1. The cheap chinese so called proffessional machines are 2. ALl the crappy staff i see in Spain and as obviously UK that pretends to be industrial is 3, including the machine we are talking in this posts. Most of the DIy machines on this forum are 3,4, 5 which is absolutely great, as IMO this is the best CNC forum in the world.
My personal DIY machine is 6 and what i have built and designed for others is 5-6. Any real mill is 6-7.

[JAZZCNC]

2. ALl the crappy staff i see in Spain and as obviously UK that pretends to be industrial is 3, including the machine we are talking in this posts.

So what makes a machine industrial in your eyes Boyan.? Just because something is built out of armoured plate and looks "Industrial" doesn't always mean it's succesfull in Industry.? That being it's earning the user profit.

All that steel requires more work to build and more power to move around that armoured plate so more expensive components required which all push up the cost of a machine.
Now if you have a need to hog out large volumes of material or require the slightly better finish that extra mass offers then great and it may be worth the extra costs.
However you cannot say just because a machine is made from Aluminium that it's not industrial. For instance KERN who make some of the most precise and accurate machines in the world use a large amount of Alumnium in key areas of there machines for it's light weight and thermal properties.

To me industrial is about being fit for purpose, well built and profitable for the user. Most machines cutting wood or sheet material in light/Med industry which most small to medium business users tend to be doesn't require a tank. They require reliabilty and profit.

For instance you couldn't in anyway shape or form call this machine of mine below Industrial in the way you describe your tanks.
Yet I have 2 customers who turn over £100,000 + per year using these machines and have been doing so for several years. They work 6 days wk, 12hr days and without any break downs with limited maintance, this is possible because they are built correctly with correct components.

At the time aprox 5yrs ago one of those customers paid £5K so that's nealy £500,000 for a £5K investment which hasn't broken down or complained and the parts it makes couldn't be made any better or any quicker if they was using a £100,000 Router.

In my book that makes that machine Industrial.! . . .And I have many other customers using similair machines making very good livings with aluminium/steel based machine and the vertical design I build. . . Remember Boyan the Industrial revolution started right here in good Old Yorkshire.. . .

[Boyan Silyavski]

Dean, that one you show is a steady 4 on my scale.

[ericks]

Dean, that one you show is a steady 4 on my scale.

4 here too :)

[annamarie123]

Hello JAZZCNC where are you based? I am interested in a custom machine, kind regards Anna

[Neale]

Years back I heard someone say, "pay too little for a tool and you remember the fact every time you use it. Pay too much and you forget the fact the first time you use it." Some truth in that!

However, why is it that whatever I buy, someone tells me they bought better and cheaper last week?

[Keith Ed]

Hi Jazzcnc am interested in a build aswell ....how can I pm you ?? Cheers Keith

[JAZZCNC]

Hi Jazzcnc am interested in a build aswell ....how can I pm you ?? Cheers Keith

I've sent you a PM Keith.