Re: What to buy me, oh my

I know you need to be realistic, but once in awhile it's nice to
dream.
See what you can get on e-bay, 5 axis milling center.
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=562214882
or if you shop can't handle the size, check out this unit
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=561846948

I think tooling will blow a huge wad on these puppies.

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., Tim Goldstein <timg@k...> wrote:
> 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