Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Start up shopping list

James Avey wrote:

> I'm a newbie and have been lurking here for a month or so. I presently
> use a
> router and jigs to machine plastic (1/8" ABS sheet) parts for my
> incubators. Two dimensions, the largest part is 15" x 12". I don't
> need huge
> accuracy, just a more consistent quality ( and the idea that I can
> start a
> part and then do something else is really attractive.)
>
> OK - so how do I get started? Something in a kit form or retro fitting
> a
> mill is ok. My budget is about $1000.

If you want to mill the entire exterior of a 15 x 12" sheet without
having to
refixture it, then you should forget kits, mini-mills, etc. Maybe some
of the
router setups could do this, and might be less expensive. But, if you
have
the room for a Bridgeport, I would strongly recommend that.
Unfortunately,
unless you are a real pro in buying and selling used machinery, you will

end up blowing your budget and then some just to get the machine.
The newer Bridgeports (since 1950 or so) have a 12" Y movement,
but some of the CNC retrofits give away some of this range of motion.
I'm suffering with a pre-war Bridgeport that had about 9" of motion,
but a few 'cut corners' in my CNC retrofit cut that down to 7". I have
to pull it apart and actually cut out those corners to restore the
original
range of motion. Someday I will get around to that.

If you can find a dead Bridgeport Boss machine, they can be had
relatively
cheap. The CNC control was quite unreliable. But, think of it as
buying the machine, leadscrews, steppers, etc.

Well, it sounds like you might lean more toward one of the CNC
router setups, but I have doubts you can get a kit of any sort for
$1000 either.

Jon