New Member

[Carlb1058]

Hi All, New member here from the Cardiff area.
Looking to have my first milling machine and obviously wanting it CNC'd. Not got a lot of machining experience, but did have a mini lathe for a number of years. So looking at this as the next stage.
I'd love to build my own machine, but (thanks to a lot of reading on here) as I think I'll be doing work on 1 foot dia steel objects in the future I don't think I could build a strong enough machine atm. Realistically I think converting an existing machine is the way to go.
So far I'm considering buying a machine from Amadeal and slowly converting it, as my budget going to have taken a big blow doing it this way. I'd appreciate advice on this even recommendations it's the right way to do this. Would look to have a 4 axis machine eventually, even 5 axis if possible!
Looking at the machines on offer from Amadeal there's quite a few machines of similar spec, but differing when it comes to Size, taper size, motor power etc.. and to be honest I'm just not sure which machine is going to be enough for my needs now and ideally in the future.
Right now I only plan to make items from plastic and Aluminum, but as said above probably steel/stainless in the future.
Any advice welcome!
Cheers
Rotor

Hi and Welcome,

I can't offer much in regards to recommendations but If there's one thing I've picked up since being a member of this site is do it right do it once so with that in mind only because I got bit with a chinese machine is look at steel/stainless now and not in the future - who knows if part A is going to be available for the machine in years to come. Ehh I think you get my drift, I'm still partying from the nil all draw with Charlton and the fact we're EPL now

[Swarfing]

For a desktop size machine you could not go that wrong with an RF45 type machine. but being you want to mill 1' size parts you maybe better off buying an old CNC BP. How much space you got?