RE: The Best CNC Value?

Kirk,

Little confused on what machine you are thinking about. The Shoptask is one
machine and the Granite is a different machine by Smithy.

If you are thinking of the Shoptask it is my understanding there is a sale
on it currently. Here is a post JT (Owner of the Shoptask company) made on
the Shoptask forum hosted on Delphi on July 2:

We sell the lathe only for 1295.00, but right now you can buy the complete
unit for the same price- just swing the head out of the way.
jt

Here is my recommendation
Shoptask - $1300.00
Camtronic 5 amp controller kit - $225.00
Misc. to get kit built and connected to the machine (power supply, wire,
case, etc.) $150.00
3 350 - 500 in/oz steppers - $250 - $400
Controller software EMC, DeskNC, CNC Pro - Free - $100
Vector 7.0 Cad Cam program - $795
Tooling - $2000

Gets you a decent machine and the tooling you will require with a great CAD
CAM program and fits in the stated budget.

Be aware though that any of the 3 in 1 machines have some limitations in the
mill function when compared to a real knee mill. I have no problems living
with it, but I do plan on getting a knee mill in the next year or so. The
Shoptask lathe is a very nice unit and I don't plan on having to replace
that over the years unless my project require larger capacity.


Tim
[Denver, CO]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kirk W. Fraser [mailto:kirk@...]
> Sent: Sunday, July 11, 1999 10:03 AM
> To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@onelist.com
> Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] The Best CNC Value?
>
>
> From: "Kirk W. Fraser" <kirk@...>
>
> What is the best CNC value, all things considered? I'm currently
> thinking of buying the Shoptask Granite CNC and weighing the price /
> quality / delivery time of writing my own vs. buying an off-shelf CNC
> package. I'm sure you guys know of several other choices including how
> to make your own machines.from scrap metal as Dave Gingery's books
> teach. I'm looking to make some small hydraulic parts that can't be
> bought off-shelf and are too expensive (for me) to bid out in the
> quantity I need for my robot prototype. So I need a solid machine
> capable of working stainless steel to 0.001" or better. What is the
> best set-up I can get for about $5K?
>
> Thanks,
> Kirk W. Fraser
>
>
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