Re: Small CNC Machines

antsals@... wrote:

>
> I have a small manual machine at the moment, and was wondering, if
> anyone could suggest the best way of going into the CNC work. I want
> a small machine, that will mill Aluminium, Plastics And mild steel if
> possable. I looked at the taig small machine, would it be robust
> enough? Or is buying a small miller and retro fitting best? What can
> people suggest?
>
> Thanks
> Anthony

[The Taig CNC mill will do all that, if you take it somewhat easy. (You
can't expect these miniature machines to be able to take the same sort of
cut a full-sized knee mill with a multi-horsepower spindle motor can.) I
think the Taig is the most "robust" machine in its class, although it
doesn't have the range of available accessories that the Sherline does, or
a closed-loop control system (yet) like MaxNC.

Getting a manual machine and retrofitting it can be a fun project, or a
nightmare, depending on what you buy and how adept you are at machine
building and electronics assembly. If you're mostly interested in using it,
rather than building it, then you might be better off getting a machine
that has already been fitted with CNC gear. An older CNC machine with a
blown or obsolete control might be a better start than a manual one, since
it would have ballscrews, etc. installed already, and they often go for
less. There are many people here to cheer you on if you decide to embark on
a retrofitting project. If you are happy with the manual mill you've got,
you might think twice about tearing it apart- you might need it for making
some of the parts needed for the retrofit.]

>
> Ps. Does anyone know if you can buy the Taig milling machine in the
> UK? If so where?

[They can be found at Quantum CNC in Leicestershire <www.quantumcnc.co.uk>

PPS: Thanks to both Tom Murray and Graeme Murray for the kind words about
my commercial endeavors.]

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