Sherline VS MaxNC VS Taig
Posted by
fx_fan_zine
on 2002-09-11 06:35:46 UTC
Sherline VS MaxNC VS Taig
I can't believe there are not more posts on this subject, but I just went through
the entire archive and only found a few odd postings. Did I miss something?
This is kind of a long rambling rant, but here goes...
I am interested in getting into a CNC mill and I was wondering if there is any
general consensus ( Ya right) on the strengths and weakness of the above
CNC mills.
I am making small parts, most not bigger than 2" x 8", but I do need to cut 3D
contours in Alum. and 304 stainless. I would like to use a 4th axis rotary table.
I understand that the MaxNc is not that rigid of a machine and won't cut SS
very well. But I like the ability to control spindle speed from software and the
closed loop feedback. From what I understand (correct me if I am wrong) the
software on the MaxNC is a little better than the Flashcut for Sherline. (you
can compensate for tool radius as well as length when changing tools on
Max) I don't want to do a lot of editing of G-code to allow for tool path changes
every time I change a tool. (I thought that was what computers were good for)
The Sherline seems to be better engineered than the other two (although
perhaps lighter duty) and it definitely has more tooling available for it. (Why
didn't the MaxNC use a standard spindle taper like a Morse #1 or #2) That
really seems to limit the off the shelf tooling for that machine. Although I have
seen more tooling becoming available recently for the Max.
Taig I am not that familiar with. It really looks like a garage kit, but I have heard
some good things about it??
I am not that interested in building my own system, it sounds fun and cheaper,
but I just don't have the time to invest in matching drivers and steppers etc. I
would kind of like a turnkey system or at least a retrofit that is a package deal.
So I can just get on with making chips. CNC chips - their better :)
What are the limits of the software packages. (from what I have seen there are
not any really robust CAM packages out there that don't cost more than the
CNC mill and tooling combined.) Wouldn't it be great if a low end CAM
package would allow for easy tool changes (go from a slitting saw to a boring
tool, a shell mill, end mill, fly cutter all without manually messing with tool
paths) A Cam package that would calculate speeds and feeds based on
number of flutes and material being cut etc. Oh ya and one that is a true 4 axis
(All 4 axis move at the same time.) Dream on Rick!
So I would love to hear from you folks out there that have these small milling
machines, and are using the various software CAD/CAM packages.
What are the things you like about them and what do you wish was different?
Comments appreciated, Thanks
Rick
I can't believe there are not more posts on this subject, but I just went through
the entire archive and only found a few odd postings. Did I miss something?
This is kind of a long rambling rant, but here goes...
I am interested in getting into a CNC mill and I was wondering if there is any
general consensus ( Ya right) on the strengths and weakness of the above
CNC mills.
I am making small parts, most not bigger than 2" x 8", but I do need to cut 3D
contours in Alum. and 304 stainless. I would like to use a 4th axis rotary table.
I understand that the MaxNc is not that rigid of a machine and won't cut SS
very well. But I like the ability to control spindle speed from software and the
closed loop feedback. From what I understand (correct me if I am wrong) the
software on the MaxNC is a little better than the Flashcut for Sherline. (you
can compensate for tool radius as well as length when changing tools on
Max) I don't want to do a lot of editing of G-code to allow for tool path changes
every time I change a tool. (I thought that was what computers were good for)
The Sherline seems to be better engineered than the other two (although
perhaps lighter duty) and it definitely has more tooling available for it. (Why
didn't the MaxNC use a standard spindle taper like a Morse #1 or #2) That
really seems to limit the off the shelf tooling for that machine. Although I have
seen more tooling becoming available recently for the Max.
Taig I am not that familiar with. It really looks like a garage kit, but I have heard
some good things about it??
I am not that interested in building my own system, it sounds fun and cheaper,
but I just don't have the time to invest in matching drivers and steppers etc. I
would kind of like a turnkey system or at least a retrofit that is a package deal.
So I can just get on with making chips. CNC chips - their better :)
What are the limits of the software packages. (from what I have seen there are
not any really robust CAM packages out there that don't cost more than the
CNC mill and tooling combined.) Wouldn't it be great if a low end CAM
package would allow for easy tool changes (go from a slitting saw to a boring
tool, a shell mill, end mill, fly cutter all without manually messing with tool
paths) A Cam package that would calculate speeds and feeds based on
number of flutes and material being cut etc. Oh ya and one that is a true 4 axis
(All 4 axis move at the same time.) Dream on Rick!
So I would love to hear from you folks out there that have these small milling
machines, and are using the various software CAD/CAM packages.
What are the things you like about them and what do you wish was different?
Comments appreciated, Thanks
Rick