What is the Total Cost of Conversion (Excluding the Mill)

[Keithw]

Hi Monty,
All good advice from Daz, and I think he has put the cost issue nicely in proportion. My thinking tends towards the practical use of the machine. I have nothing against building a machine for fun, but would say the end-purpose of such a machine is to use it to build something, so why spend a lot of money on converting a manual machine with all its possible pitfalls?. As Daz says, things like ballscrews can be problematic, and if they let you down, then its virtually a complete loss, but on a complete machine, you can go back to the manufacturer. This is why I suggest get a complete machine, and spend what money you have left on making something with it. I don't know how much experience you have with this kind of machine, but I found that it was only after some time did I understand what I actually needed the machines to do, which led to subsequent modifications.

You mention an 'entry-level' machine - i assume by this you mean something fairly simple and cheap. In general this means the range of 'chinese-type' clones these days, such as the Sieg series - all reasonable machines for the price, but they will be costly to upgrade to CNC, because you will probably have to change most things except the main castings. Again Daz has indicated the scale of this. But its your choice at the end of the day - just have fun doing it.

[Monty_UK]

Hi Monty,
All good advice from Daz, and I think he has put the cost issue nicely in proportion. My thinking tends towards the practical use of the machine. I have nothing against building a machine for fun, but would say the end-purpose of such a machine is to use it to build something, so why spend a lot of money on converting a manual machine with all its possible pitfalls?. As Daz says, things like ballscrews can be problematic, and if they let you down, then its virtually a complete loss, but on a complete machine, you can go back to the manufacturer. This is why I suggest get a complete machine, and spend what money you have left on making something with it. I don't know how much experience you have with this kind of machine, but I found that it was only after some time did I understand what I actually needed the machines to do, which led to subsequent modifications.

You mention an 'entry-level' machine - i assume by this you mean something fairly simple and cheap. In general this means the range of 'chinese-type' clones these days, such as the Sieg series - all reasonable machines for the price, but they will be costly to upgrade to CNC, because you will probably have to change most things except the main castings. Again Daz has indicated the scale of this. But its your choice at the end of the day - just have fun doing it.

Hi Keith

First of all thanks for responding it's very much appreciated

I am limited on budget but still wanted to get the best I can for my money. You mention about buying a machine and using what I have left for making things - I was considering this to cost around £3500 in total plus time obviously. I have searched CNC machines but other than old second hand ex industrial I haven't found anything anywhere close to what I have to spend.

I'm a time served engineer trained the old way on basic machies but I covered a lot of CNC in later years (I'm 55)

If there is something in this price bracket I'd be very interested to look at one



Thanks agian