Re: Hello! So would all of this hardware make a good machine...

Tim's got a good point: what do you want to make? The desktop mills
all do about the same thing: you're just splitting hairs when
contrasting the similarities. I thought I needed a 12" x-axis too
until I reviewed my design and realized that I couldn't utilize the
entire travel in one setup and could instead extend a shorter bed
with a tool plate. I ended up with a new MaxNC 10 CL kit bolted to
a new Sherline 5400 CNC-ready mill for less than $1500. It does
exactly what I need. I could have used any combination of tools to
get there. Outside of this type of forum, no one will know or care
what mill setup I used because it's the milled parts I needed. So
it gets back to: what do you want to make (rhetorical question)? Do
you REALLY need what you think you need (another rhetorical
question)? Charles Hixon

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "Tim Goldstein" <timg@k...>
wrote:

> > -----Original Message-----
> > Goes to the whole decision process.
> >
> > first question should be "do you want a CNC toy to play with and
> > shoot for something bigger than the guy next door", or is it "I

need

> > to mill and drill plates that are 6x6x5 inches and need a mill

that

> > can take 1/4 inch cuts in Stainless"
> >
> > Dave
> >
> > Addresses:
> > FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
>
> Not sure I am following the point you are trying to get across?
>
> I think it is that you need to analyze your requirements for the

items

> you want to make and then get a machine to suit those needs.

Sometimes

> that will be a big machine and sometimes a small machine.

Personally I

> have multiple CNC mills and with the Taig will be adding another

to my

> stable. They run the gamut from a Proxxon mini mill with about 4"

x 2"

> XY travel all the way up to a Bridgeport series II with 30" x 15"

or so

> XY travel. I find that each one has particular jobs they are best

at.

> The Bridgeport is not a good choice if using small bits that need

to

> spin fast as the spindle maxes out at 3500 RPM. But if cutting

heavy

> cuts with large bits it is the perfect answer. The Proxxon is

great for

> really tiny bits as it has a 20K rpm spindle. So if the project

fits the

> work envelope an it is with a small bit or a V-groove bit

(engraving,

> PCB, etc) it is the best machine to use. The Sherline is set up as

a 4

> axis machine so it is my choice for that type of work as well as

small

> projects that will use a 1/4" - 3/8" bit. I run it with the 10K RPM
> pulley set so while it can not spin those tiny 1/8" shank bits as

fast

> as the Proxxon it is has a lot more torque on the spindle than the
> Proxxon so is a better choice for bits that need a cutting speed

over

> the 3500 that the Bridgeport can do. I want the Taig because I

have a

> job that needs the 12" X travel and I want to run it on a machine

small

> enough I can do it at the jewelry supply store. Bridgett is just a
> little too big to get out of the garage <g>.
>
> So, I guess my point is that there are 2 consideration to the

machine in

> my mind. 1 - Is the work envelope adequate for the jobs I will do?

2 -

> Is the spindle able to turn the bits I will use properly?
>
> Tim
> [Denver, CO]
> Sherline products at Deep Discount & now offering Taig
> Mach1 & DeskCNC with credit card ordering
> www.KTMarketing.com/Sherline