RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] What to buy me, oh my

No flame intended, but a crummy Shoptask was the perfect answer to my needs.
I had no room to put 2 machines and could not have afforded to buy 2
separate machines even if the space was available. Also setting up CNC on 2
machines is double the costs which did not fit my budget at the time. The
Shoptask is a real machine and can do real work. Yes it is a compromise, but
so is most of life. In my case (and for many others) it is the best
compromise available.

My suggestion is be realistic in your needs. Yes it is nicer to have bigger,
but following that logic we would all have 10 hp machining centers. Your
situation will dictate what fits and how much you can spend. Converting to
CNC while affordable is not cheap. A lowest cost setup for 3 axis not
including the computer would be in the $600 - $800 range if you scrounge
real well and are doing a small machine. Bigger machine = larger (more
costly) motors, drivers, power supplies, etc.. At a certain point you will
need to deal with 3 phase power (either a VFD or a phase converter) this all
adds to the cost. Another consideration is tooling will likely cost more
than the initial machine. Make sure you budget for it and again, bigger
machine is often more expensive tooling.

As with many things there are many levels of requirements and many answers.
Don't rush, analyze your real needs and don't let your ego drive the
decision.

Tim
[Denver, CO]
Happy and productive owner of a crummily made and a pain in the ass to set
up and use Shoptask.

> Hi Les:
> Please do yourself a BIG favour and don't buy one of those abysmal
> combination machines (Smithy, Shoptask etc.)
> They are both crummily made and a pain in the ass to set up and use.
> The best stuff to have for your class of work is a small
> kneemill and a
> 12x36 lathe.
> KBC (among others) markets a perfectly sized little kneemill.
> I had one for about 8 years, and I built all kinds of complex
> precision
> stuff on it.
> The table was about 7x30 or thereabouts, and the new cost is
> about $4500.00
> CDN.(about $3000.00 USD)
> I sold mine last spring for $2500.00 to a buddy who makes
> radial aircraft
> engine models, and he just loves it.
> There should be others around.
> It's big enough that you can get a 1/2" drill chuck and a 1
> 1/4" Prentice
> drill in it and still have enough room to drill a hole in a
> reasonable sized
> block clamped in a milling vise.
> It's only 900 lb or thereabouts, so it can still be humped
> into a basement
> without too much pain.
> Beats a milldrill and those godawful combo contraptions by a
> country mile.
> Cheers
>
> Marcus
> FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html