Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Newbie Help - Hobby vs Bridgeport

I would just convert the Bridgeport if you feel comfortable attacking it.
The only part that is harder than doing it on a hobby mill is the hit to
your wallet for the bigger motors, pulleys, belts, power supplies, etc.

If you would feel more comfortable starting on a hobby mill then I would
suggest getting a Sherline and put Gecko G201 or G210 drives on it. The new
models can switch to the NEMA 42 mode you may need for the big mill. There
are plenty of Bridgeport's running on them and they will run the Sherline
just fine. The reason I suggest the Sherline is:
1 - I have one and it is a very nice machine
2 - I have a Taig lathe and it has soured me to that companies products
3 - You can get the Sherline from the factory with stepper motor mounts so
that you can have one running under computer control in an evening (just did
that all though I did put on the factory CNC conversion myself so that added
an extra evening)
4 - The Sherlines have a very high resale value if you decide you don't want
it later
6 - I am now a Sherline dealer so I am a little biased.

Tim
[Denver, CO]
NEMA 23 stepper motors
www.KTMarketing.com/CNC.html

----- Original Message -----
> I would like to delve into learning about CNC machining.
>
> 1. I currently have an older Bridgeport mill and would like to know if I
> would be better off "automating" it or should I try to build one of the
> "hobby" mills first.
>
> 2. If the answer is the "hobby" mill first, are there controllers that I
> could use that could be used to drive the Bridgeport should I wish to go
> that route later?
>
> Thanks
> Scott
>
>
> Addresses:
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