What 'decent' Milling machine?

[Chaz]

Anyone?

Thanks in advance.

[komatias]

Anyone?

Thanks in advance.

All the hobby CNC's you mention above are similar in quality and finish. It is the aftercare that you should learn about.

You are doing the right thing in budgeting for a turnkey machine if you are interested in producing bits professionally.

Get something with either an ISO 30 or R8 spindle. Some of the Syil machines come with pneumatic drawbars that save time and really make life that much better. Worth finding out which ones.

ATC's are useful but you can live without them.

Enclosures are VERY GOOD! I wish I could enclose my mill.

[Chaz]

All the hobby CNC's you mention above are similar in quality and finish. It is the aftercare that you should learn about.

You are doing the right thing in budgeting for a turnkey machine if you are interested in producing bits professionally.

Get something with either an ISO 30 or R8 spindle. Some of the Syil machines come with pneumatic drawbars that save time and really make life that much better. Worth finding out which ones.

ATC's are useful but you can live without them.

Enclosures are VERY GOOD! I wish I could enclose my mill.

Many thanks for the response.

I noted that the Axminster ones, probably like many, are all Chinese made. Not always a bad thing.

What should I budget for something that can work to 0.01mm with at least a quick change bit system like the drawbars (I assume its the clamp thing, powered with compressed air)?

I'm also sure that for these gears, a lathe will be needed, I dont want to try and find a compromise machine but certainly something that can 'turn' a material and mill will be ideal. I could do blanks on a mill and then look at options for cutting the gear.

Any thoughts on this mill?

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-sieg-kx1s-cnc-mill

[Chaz]

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster...logy-ikx1-mill - at least it has a ATC of sorts.

[komatias]

If you are able to get a machine for less than £30K to work at 0,01mm please let me know. It really cannot be done at this level of investment. You can get close to 0.01mm but if you are lucky and the moons align you may hit it one day. I would be content with 0.05mm on any milling job even professionally done. Thermal expansions and other sources of error will conspire against you.

May I suggest you go to the various shops and have a look at the machines? They are all much of a muchness in terms of quality and build. Its the extras that really make it.

[Chaz]

If you are able to get a machine for less than £30K to work at 0,01mm please let me know. It really cannot be done at this level of investment. You can get close to 0.01mm but if you are lucky and the moons align you may hit it one day. I would be content with 0.05mm on any milling job even professionally done. Thermal expansions and other sources of error will conspire against you.

May I suggest you go to the various shops and have a look at the machines? They are all much of a muchness in terms of quality and build. Its the extras that really make it.

Ok, understood. Was being pushy in terms of 'spec'. 0.05 is acceptable for what I need, probably 0.1 too but thats max.

I want to go to Axminster in High Wycombe however still waiting for their technical sales team to get back to me and from what I can see on the shop pics, they dont actually seem to keep these in stock for viewing. Might be wrong, but lets see.

[komatias]

Since you are in the area see Amadeal too.

[Chaz]

Why is this so expensive?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ballscrew-...71985621&rt=nc

Ive dealt with this company before, used to buy parts for our 3D printers. The item has 25 watchers ..... I fail to see where £10K is here. The spindle is a £150 Kress .... am I missing something?