Re: Novice needs advice

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "sheap1" <sheap1@y...> wrote:

> I am a newbie in Austin TX. Any users in Austin? I am considering
> the purchase of either a Taig CNC or a RF-45 clone (I could

retrofit

> to CNC). I am inexperienced and my goals for the machine are to
> make "artsy" items for my house. High end lighting, pulls/knobs,
> hardware for speaker building etc. Things will be made in Al or
> light stainless. CNC is attractive since most items I want to make
> are contoured shapes and I will make multiples. It has been

pointed

> out to me that the Taig could quickly become too small.
>
> My questions are:
> 1)Do the users here agree that CNC capability are what I should

shoot

> for given that I will make multiples of a contoured object?
> 2)How involved is converting the RF-45 clone to CNC? From my web
> searches it seems like this is either quite $ or quite a home

project

> in itself. Any advice on where to figure all this out?
> 3)If I choose to go the 45 route and do CNC retrofit when finances
> allow, am I going to have trouble making the things I want to

make?

> I guess this is my big ???.
> 3)Can the Taig machine be used with success on Stainless if I

program

> to go slow?
>
> Hope this is considered "on topic" but clearly this group will tell
> me if not:)
>
> Shea

Hello Austin guy: While a lot of the things you are describing are
definite CNC projects you may find that doing full 3D contoured
objects like a complex drawer pull, will take more than a 3 axis
machine. Round pulls could be done on a lathe but could prove
challenging in a XYZ mill. There are guys here that have built 4 and
5 axis machines but for a first time project they would be a big step.

Tom C
North Texas