recommendations for a cnc mill

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45ACPKING

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Looking to get myself a cnc mill set up.
I've checked out the sherwood packages and they look nice but seem kinda small.
I don't want a huge machine, something gunsmith sized...... if that's a fitting description. and under 5000.00 if that's at all possible..... for a full set up including control systems.


advice and comments from those operating such gadgets would be much appreciated.....

I'll be looking to also add a lathe to the set up, one that is capable of CNC drive and long enough to accept a 28" barrel blank...
 
no hollyman.... you read it right under 5000.

the sherline mini mill with full cnc controlls, including computer , g- code capable, is 2795.00 U.S. plus frieght. plus job specific tooling of course.

BUT is is a wee bit on the small side for my needs...... close, but a bit small.

check it out
http://www.sherline.com/
 
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Just my $.02, but that thing looks like a POS. It will be too light for almost anythign you'l want to do and it will be difficultto hold the tolerances. Heavy machines deaden the vibrations and their beds are less likely to vibrate and distort, thus give more repeatable and accurate results. That thing might be good for making, I don't know, etch-a-sketch stencils, but it will be ####-useless for anything firearm related.

Sorry to pee in your pool. With lathes and mills, you get what you pay for.
 
5,000.00 would be a good down payment.

Don't waste you money on cheap junk, you really get what you pay for in machine tools......
 
so, i know this topic has probably come up a million times but i have questions.
first I'll admit my naivety when it comes to this topic and these machines, I am a tradesman however and a wanna be gunsmith, "custom metal crafter" ;)

so here's what i want to be able to do
skeletonized action inlets in 7075 and 6061 aluminum
picatinny rail in bulk lengths aluminum/steel
engraving/lettering
small parts n such......

let's here recommendations to get into a quality machine set up for repeatabilty without spending more than a small fortune :D
combo cnc lathe/mill set ups might be what i'm after
 
Syil Super X3 or X4 mills are about the only turnkey package that is in the price range, that might work. Still hobby grade stuff, with the attendant issues of that, but better size than the Sherline stuff.

Other than that, you could buy a old used machine and rewire it (budget around 2 months of steady spare time, and about $1500 in materials to get started, or, if you are very lucky, you can get a deal on a used but not abused machine that someone needs gone in a hurry. Usually that means contacts, which you may or may not have...

Take a look at the Syil and Tormach forums on cnczone to see if either of those systems might work. The Syil systems run around the $5K point, ready to run, and the Tormach at about twice that.
Looking's cheap!

Cheers
Trev
 
Look to used. Talk to some good used industrial equipment resellers in your area. For a baseline, check our EBAY and call Miller Machine in Canby, OR, you will at least find out the high-water mark for what you are looking for.

I think you better expect to pay $15K - $20K CDN for a used machine 7 - 10 yrs old that is not a POS and is inexpensive.

As with anything, you get what you pay for, but if you think youa re going to get a quality CNC machine for $5K, then just burn your money or better yet, give it to me.

Another option for those on a budget, is not to go CNC, but to buy a good workhorse manual machine, and outfit it with a DRO (digital Read Out) for each axis. This might be smarter for limited / low production run work or custom one-offs.

Good Luck.
 
rutger.... wanna drop by with your m14 one day.... sounds like yours might be good brain to pic...... we can swap knowledge :D not sure if you got your fill at the last m14 clinic hehehe

I hear what you guys are saying LOUD and CLEAR.
CNC is gonna have to be it though cuz repeatability via a saved program will be key to what i want to accomplish.

keep the suggestions rollin :D
 
Have you checked into the price of software to do the work you intend to do:eek: Straight drilling and milling isn't a big problem for G Code, but if you want to get into engraving on anything but a flat surface, good luck.

Tooling isn't cheap either. Tell you what, send the work to me and I will do it on my CNC machine. Nothing too big I only have 20"x40" travel and 20" in the Z axis.
 
maynard said:
Have you checked into the price of software to do the work you intend to do:eek: Straight drilling and milling isn't a big problem for G Code, but if you want to get into engraving on anything but a flat surface, good luck.

Tooling isn't cheap either. Tell you what, send the work to me and I will do it on my CNC machine. Nothing too big I only have 20"x40" travel and 20" in the Z axis.
Click to expand...

Ah, a benchtop mill.:dancingbanana:
 
I have used the tiny home machines. They just frustrate me. I would work a deal with a local shop and rent time in the evening on their machine. There are a lot of shops with tons of free machine time in the Vancouver area, due to the slow down.
You would also learn proper CNC skills. That and CAD, and you're golden.
 
go to cnczone.com every size and price of machine is on that site. if you cant find the information you need there , your not looking hard enough.
 
I just picked up a mini mill from Busy Bee Tools to tinker with. I am machining an adapter for a truglo sight for a obscure gun. So far no complaints about the mill. Busy Bee Tools have knee mills under $4000. I have a machinist/engineer friend who has one of these and he said it is good enough for a hobbyist.

There is a Busy Bee Tools store in New Westminster B.C.

There are kits you can get to convert the mini mills into a CNC mill. Check out mini-lathe.com. It is a good starting point to read about the hobbyist mills.
 
In my opinion, if you're only looking to spend aprox.$5000, you would be better off buying a decent manual mill with DRO, but if your set on a small CNC I've got a buddy in surrey that has one set up in his garage that would be more than willing to give you some info on what to get. But as for a manual lathe anything big enough and worth doing a barrel on would cost anywheres between 10-$15,000, but thats just 2cents
 
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