Quote Originally Posted by komatias View Post
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