Re: Mill recommendation

I have a Taig mill, and it is wonderful for doing small things,
learning, and just playing with. Either with a stepper or with hand
cranks.

Some things you did not mention, but are really important are:

- what about the costs of tooling? Taig and Sherline are
inexpensive.... compared to other things...

-- can you get parts and support. Both cases - yes....

-- can you really learn CNC and the process of "how to create a
part" - yes... both units... I can create molds for casting (haven't
done it yet - but I have seen it done) and then machine the finished
part down.

-- both are easy to maintain youself. No service contracts, no
complicated support process, no exensive maintence process. Just a
simple, flexible and power tool.

-- US made, and supported. This is what hurts some non-US products.
They have components not easily available, with long lead times, or
avaialble only in complex service agreements. With a Taig or
Sherline product, I can get parts on order tonight and
shipped "soon" - not always tomorrow, but that is ok.....

-- I can ship either one via UPS, so it is easy to transport.

I have my Tiag mill next to the coffemaker. There are of a similar
size. Later I will move it to a new home where I can make more
parts - sometimes next to my computer, somtimes in the garage.
Depends on what I am doing. Moving it around is very useful.
Can't do that to the Bridgeport.

Just more things to think about....

-- jr


--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, Don McLane <dmclane@i...>
wrote:

> The school I teach at is thinking of buying a small milling

machine. I

> want to influence the decision toward one that can be upgraded to

servo

> control with EMC. I'm a software person, and not familiar with the
> machines. I know that Sherline is popular. Any recommendations?
>
> Thanks,
> Don McLane
> University of Washington Tacoma