Title generally sums it up. I was here once before, unfortunately family crisis wiped out my CNC savings. Now I'm back.
Here's the gist of it: I have a slight background in CNC (attended courses at community college (lagun VMC, Clausing Storm lathe), volunteered time (months) at a local shop running SNK & Hardinge lathes, Enshu VMC's on mostly stainless). Mostly button-pusher status at the business (measure parts, adjust for temps / cutter wear, change programs, etc), with some basic Catia usage. At the school I used Solidworks and Masteram to model / program my parts. I want to put one in my personal shop. "Shop" in this vernacular means my physical building, not "job shop". I have no desire to be soliciting quotes or competing in the job shop market. Building has 200A service, 110 and 220. 9' walls, 12' peak, metal construction, insulated, double-sized garage door for access (and a man-door). On a poured concrete slab. 24'x35' in size.
My intentions: Prototyping my own designs. Gun stuff. Motorcycle stuff. Remote piloted video stuff. Stuff for a friend's race car manufacturing business. Smaller items in delrin, aluminum, steel, and possibly stainless. Possibly a few titanium items, if I get a 4th axis. Kind of whatever suits my fancy. Of course, aspirations of this replacing my day job, but no plans to quit just yet. ;) Something with a similar work envelope the Bridgeport mill I'm used to would be great, but I don't expect to find that in this range. Y and Z maybe, but I suspect I'll be looking at a significantly smaller X.
I have $20k in the "CNC fund" at this point. Not a lot for a business, but a pretty decent start for a machine in a personal workshop. The $20k will need to include the best quality machine I can get, transport to my building (in a residential area), and setup. It does not need to include a phase converter, tooling (I have quite a bit of tooling, though no tool holders), or "ancillary" items. I have mics, calipers, a variety of tig / mig / stick welders, bar stock cutters, press, and various "home shop items for the guy who likes to build stuff". I have access to CAD / CAM software through the community college, so that does not need to be included, either (at this time).
While familiar with the operation of a machine, I am NOT comfortable enough to go used-hunting on my own. As such, I had decided on picking up a (I know...I know) Tormach 1100 w/ all the bells and whistles. Eventually, as the fund re-supplied itself, and I reached the point of pulling the trigger, I decided to aim a little bit higher. However, if I go for a used production machine, replacement part cost is a big factor for me. That's a large part of what was driving me toward the Tormach. A $15k machine that craps a $12k spindle, isn't of use to me. As of right now, I'm leaning towards a Fadal 3016. Seems it would be a good choice in a used production machine, that has solid support and parts. I read someone who referred to them as "the Playskool of mills...they're everywhere".
I'd appreciate any ideas or input you all may have. I'm essentially looking for a prototype / small production machine (small enough that rapids and tool change times aren't an issue). Something with a tool changer, thread milling, and the largest work envelope I can find. Prefer 4th axis, or at least 4th axis capable. Would sacrifice work envelope for 4th axis capability. I'm open to a cnc bed mill, should someone have a suggestion on something that may better fill my requirements. I've looked at the ProtoTraks, knee mills, etc, but I want more than 6" of Z travel. More significantly, I want a tool changer. After getting the mill, my plan is to start re-filling the CNC fund in order to put a small CNC lathe out there as well. Something that can handle maybe 2.25" stock, up to 30" or so in length. So, the more money I can save on the mill purchase, the more of a head-start I have on the lathe purchase.
That said, I'm enlisting your help for 1) ideas on the best "value" to achieve my wants / needs in a machine, and 2) possible leads on a good, solid machine.
I'm located in SW MO, and I'm ready to purchase. I just need to find the right machine. I would appreciate any constructive input you may have to offer.
Here's the gist of it: I have a slight background in CNC (attended courses at community college (lagun VMC, Clausing Storm lathe), volunteered time (months) at a local shop running SNK & Hardinge lathes, Enshu VMC's on mostly stainless). Mostly button-pusher status at the business (measure parts, adjust for temps / cutter wear, change programs, etc), with some basic Catia usage. At the school I used Solidworks and Masteram to model / program my parts. I want to put one in my personal shop. "Shop" in this vernacular means my physical building, not "job shop". I have no desire to be soliciting quotes or competing in the job shop market. Building has 200A service, 110 and 220. 9' walls, 12' peak, metal construction, insulated, double-sized garage door for access (and a man-door). On a poured concrete slab. 24'x35' in size.
My intentions: Prototyping my own designs. Gun stuff. Motorcycle stuff. Remote piloted video stuff. Stuff for a friend's race car manufacturing business. Smaller items in delrin, aluminum, steel, and possibly stainless. Possibly a few titanium items, if I get a 4th axis. Kind of whatever suits my fancy. Of course, aspirations of this replacing my day job, but no plans to quit just yet. ;) Something with a similar work envelope the Bridgeport mill I'm used to would be great, but I don't expect to find that in this range. Y and Z maybe, but I suspect I'll be looking at a significantly smaller X.
I have $20k in the "CNC fund" at this point. Not a lot for a business, but a pretty decent start for a machine in a personal workshop. The $20k will need to include the best quality machine I can get, transport to my building (in a residential area), and setup. It does not need to include a phase converter, tooling (I have quite a bit of tooling, though no tool holders), or "ancillary" items. I have mics, calipers, a variety of tig / mig / stick welders, bar stock cutters, press, and various "home shop items for the guy who likes to build stuff". I have access to CAD / CAM software through the community college, so that does not need to be included, either (at this time).
While familiar with the operation of a machine, I am NOT comfortable enough to go used-hunting on my own. As such, I had decided on picking up a (I know...I know) Tormach 1100 w/ all the bells and whistles. Eventually, as the fund re-supplied itself, and I reached the point of pulling the trigger, I decided to aim a little bit higher. However, if I go for a used production machine, replacement part cost is a big factor for me. That's a large part of what was driving me toward the Tormach. A $15k machine that craps a $12k spindle, isn't of use to me. As of right now, I'm leaning towards a Fadal 3016. Seems it would be a good choice in a used production machine, that has solid support and parts. I read someone who referred to them as "the Playskool of mills...they're everywhere".
I'd appreciate any ideas or input you all may have. I'm essentially looking for a prototype / small production machine (small enough that rapids and tool change times aren't an issue). Something with a tool changer, thread milling, and the largest work envelope I can find. Prefer 4th axis, or at least 4th axis capable. Would sacrifice work envelope for 4th axis capability. I'm open to a cnc bed mill, should someone have a suggestion on something that may better fill my requirements. I've looked at the ProtoTraks, knee mills, etc, but I want more than 6" of Z travel. More significantly, I want a tool changer. After getting the mill, my plan is to start re-filling the CNC fund in order to put a small CNC lathe out there as well. Something that can handle maybe 2.25" stock, up to 30" or so in length. So, the more money I can save on the mill purchase, the more of a head-start I have on the lathe purchase.
That said, I'm enlisting your help for 1) ideas on the best "value" to achieve my wants / needs in a machine, and 2) possible leads on a good, solid machine.
I'm located in SW MO, and I'm ready to purchase. I just need to find the right machine. I would appreciate any constructive input you may have to offer.