What 'decent' Milling machine?

[Chaz]

Worth a punt?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cnc-Bridge...71077545&rt=nc

On these older machines, how do you get the gcode onto their 'PC' / Controller?

[Chaz]

Cleaner version of the same thing. Looks a decent sturdy machine.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bridgeport...01814587&rt=nc

[JAZZCNC]

Cleaner version of the same thing. Looks a decent sturdy machine.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bridgeport...01814587&rt=nc

Not same thing at all. Same Manufacturer very differant animal. The first is much strong model IMO.

Chances are both these models use Steppers not servo's. If they do use servos they most likely will be Brushed DC servos and use 0-10v with maybe custom drives so do some research before buying if paying big money.
If controller is working then check out it's spec, memory etc and how it accepts G-code etc. If your planning on doing 3D work then often the controller is the weak link so paying for a machine with a working control is wasted money as you'll most likely rip it out.!!

[JAZZCNC]

Get bidding.!!!!

http://www.1stmachineryauctions.com/...tsuura-mc-500v

[Chaz]

Not same thing at all. Same Manufacturer very differant animal. The first is much strong model IMO.

Chances are both these models use Steppers not servo's. If they do use servos they most likely will be Brushed DC servos and use 0-10v with maybe custom drives so do some research before buying if paying big money.
If controller is working then check out it's spec, memory etc and how it accepts G-code etc. If your planning on doing 3D work then often the controller is the weak link so paying for a machine with a working control is wasted money as you'll most likely rip it out.!!

They have the same name and model from what I can tell. What is different between them? Trying to learn from what you are spotting as to what is important and what is not.

[JAZZCNC]

Silyavski bet me too it and i was going to say same.

You can find Old machines like that Bridgeport that just need new life breathing into them.
You don't waste your time trying to use there old standard controllers just rip them out and retrofit with modern one. Often there control on these things are limited with very little memory.
You'll find on older machines the drives will require 0-10v analog signals rather than step & dir like modern stuff uses.
Ounce upon a time this made life difficult for your average person to retrofit or Very very expensive after market controllers so often things like drives and motors where replaced making it expensive and uneconomical in some cases.!! . . But not anymore now Cslabs have a analog Controller at sensible enough money that was designed just this purpose of retro fittng old machines. Even ones that use 12 or 24 logic.!

This means often all you need to replace is the Controller and with a bit of re-wiring you can re-use all the existing components and get the machine working like it's never done before.!
Just be aware thou most industrial spec machines require 3 phase power.! Often this is just for the Spindle not the Motors or drives. On many old machines like that Bridge port you'll find either Steppers or Brushed DC servos. Depending on drives etc often it just means changing or rewiring a transfomer so use single phase.
The Spindle is the main thing that will require 3 phase but often you can just run these straight from a VFD. Or you can buy Converter that will transform single phase to three phase if large HP.

Personally I'd wait for some Old iron to come along and replace everything with moderern servos and controller etc before buy those mickey mouse toys.

[JAZZCNC]

Here's a prime Example of what £600 buys you in Old money.!! . . . . Purpose built CNC not converted Mill with 1000x500x450 travel. DC Servos, 7.5HP 40 taper spindle with power drawbar, Ground ballscrews and linear ways.

All this machine needed to get working was the controller replacing and 3 phase power. It uses Brushed DC servos which I will be replacing with modern Servos and the Spindle will be run from a Converter.
But the point is that if you had 3 phase power another £600 would have had this machine fully working and running like it never did before on it's old controller.
There are old machines like this coming up all the time at very low money and if you throw 2-3K at them you will have a very very good strong accurate machine will all modern components.

[Chaz]

Silyavski bet me too it and i was going to say same.

You can find Old machines like that Bridgeport that just need new life breathing into them.
You don't waste your time trying to use there old standard controllers just rip them out and retrofit with modern one. Often there control on these things are limited with very little memory.
You'll find on older machines the drives will require 0-10v analog signals rather than step & dir like modern stuff uses.
Ounce upon a time this made life difficult for your average person to retrofit or Very very expensive after market controllers so often things like drives and motors where replaced making it expensive and uneconomical in some cases.!! . . But not anymore now Cslabs have a analog Controller at sensible enough money that was designed just this purpose of retro fittng old machines. Even ones that use 12 or 24 logic.!

This means often all you need to replace is the Controller and with a bit of re-wiring you can re-use all the existing components and get the machine working like it's never done before.!
Just be aware thou most industrial spec machines require 3 phase power.! Often this is just for the Spindle not the Motors or drives. On many old machines like that Bridge port you'll find either Steppers or Brushed DC servos. Depending on drives etc often it just means changing or rewiring a transfomer so use single phase.
The Spindle is the main thing that will require 3 phase but often you can just run these straight from a VFD. Or you can buy Converter that will transform single phase to three phase if large HP.

Personally I'd wait for some Old iron to come along and replace everything with moderern servos and controller etc before buy those mickey mouse toys.

Thanks to both. So basically look at something like the Bridgeport? I dont mind doing some retrofitting. I used the PlanetCNC USB controller before and loved it.

Thoughts on the Denfords, are they considered 'toys' or more like the real deal?

[JAZZCNC]

Thanks to both. So basically look at something like the Bridgeport? I dont mind doing some retrofitting. I used the PlanetCNC USB controller before and loved it.

Thoughts on the Denfords, are they considered 'toys' or more like the real deal?

Forget PlanetCNC for retro fitting again it's a toy. You wan't ethernet for serious machine USB is rubbish and unreliable IMO.

Denfords are still toys but very good toys.!! . . . . . . By the way the Denford in Dewsbury you show I know the guy who Converted that to Mach3. He actually works for the Company who's selling it.

If your planning on milling aluminium then look towards a machine with high spindle speeds 5K is minimum 10K + better.

[Chaz]

Thanks again all. Problem is no 3 phase at home. I could run a VFD for the spindle. Cant help but get the feeling Im biting off more than I can chew :-(

Mmmmm. I dont know enough about whats good and what bits are good and the potential money pit is big I think, especially if I need to start to retrofit parts.