Getting started with CNC Machine & software choice

Hi John,

I couldn't see one with Mach software in the price list but maybe it's a special on request.

I live in the south east manchester area.

Ebay 331164724100

Doesn't appear to have done much, has a toolchanger, some tooling and a "proper" control with servos.

The "proper" control & servos can be pricy to fix if they go wrong, but Fanuc stuff is very reliable.

Bob - FYI.

1) I have a little KX1 running LinuxCNC. Other 1 problem with a stepper motor driver setting, the thing just works.

2) Have a friend with a Tormach 1100 - big machine. Was looking at a 770, but don't think I have the vertical room.

3) look for G0704 conversions - you can purchase kits to do the conversion fairly painlessly. The "G0704" vertical mills are sold by many companies; locally, I'm sort of looking at a "King Canada KC20".

4) The KX3 is between the KX1 and the G0704 conversions in terms of size.

5) spindle speeds - my KX1 runs close to 7,000 rpm - great for small cutters in brass, but not good for slow speed larger milling cutter type of cuts. The g0704 style machines are limited to something like 2200 rpm, and have a gear change for high/low speed ranges.

6) I do have a blog with some things on it, focused on getting us model engineers up and running with CNC; I'm trying to target the common "Model Engineer", not the outliers who are either experts or will never touch a computer in a workshop (both valid - not a complaint) - go to "http://cnc-for-model-engineers.blogspot.com", and feel free to throw questions back.

7) There is no wrong choice, only differing opinions and suitability for your requirements.

Regards - John A. Stewart

Hi John,

I must admit that I quite like the look of the Tormach 1100 and after speaking to my accountant today there is room in the budget for one. I will have to consider what options to go for with it and find a forwarding company to import it into the UK. Over the next week or two I will make some calls and probably set the wheels in motion.

I will have to widen the door into the workshop that separates the workshop from the motorcycle garage area so that I can get one of my manual mills out and move in the Tormach.

I will look up your blog too. In the meantime is there any reading you would recommend?

Bob,

If you are serious about the Tormach I can put you in touch with a guy in Sussex who has one and brought it into the country himself

I've been running a Tormach PCNC1100 for the last 5 years. Overall I've been pretty pleased with it. I've had a few issues, mechanical and electrical, but I've sorted them out myself with some email support. Mach3 has a few problems when running 4th axis applications, but there are workarounds.

Importing is no real problem, the easiest is to appoint a shipping agent who looks after shipping across the US, over to the UK and all the customs paperwork. Having talked to a number of people in the UK about importing the Tormach the biggest deal killer is the realisation that VAT is payable on the purchase price; not a problem for me as I am VAT registered.

I know of at least 6 machines in the Uk; however most people I have spoken to never follow up, so I've no idea if they bought or not.

Regards,

Andrew

Hi Andrew,

prices are very competitive and like you I am VAT registered so I get that money back. The package options are very good too. I am looking at finding enough room to fit it into my workshop. I think both of my manual mills will have to go but it should help free up a bit more space.

I contacted a recommended shipping agent and they will get back to me with a quote for shipping etc. Once I have the figures I will probably place my order. I will keep you posted.

Regards,

Bob

Bob,

I'll be interested to see how you get on. I built my own stand and coolant tray for my Tormach for several reasons. One, the Tormach stand wouldn't fit in the space available, two, I couldn't afford it, and three when I bought my mill the stand coolant pump was 110V only.

I have retained both my vertical and horizontal manual mills, and they still get as much use as the CNC mill.

Make sure you ask the shipping agent about insurance, it's not normally included as standard.

Regards,

Andrew

Hi Andrew,

I have been checking the workshop and I reckon if I get rid of my old Tom Senior and cut and cut down the width of the stand that my Drill Press stands on I should have enough room to squeeze in the machine on the factory made stand. I have still got my large Warco manual mill which I will use while I acquaint myself with the intricacies of CNC, G code and all that good stuff.

I did notice that the shippers that I contacted have a pointer to insurance of he goods shipped so I will obviously make sure that I get that sorted out before placing my order. I will keep you posted, hopefully my order will be placed this evening if the shipper gets his finger out regarding quotes.

Out of curiosity can you remember roughly what the shipping costs were?

This has obviously moved on rather fast to meet the accounting deadline but on a smaller note I came accross this CNC retrofit and they have another video detailing a ballscrew fit. I like the stepper mounting (I have a Warco Minor) and though I'm not thinkng of CNC just yet it would do nicely as a step along the road as a power feed.

Total shipping cost, including documentation, government charges and insurance, was about £760, for the main machine crate and a separate box containing the 4th axis rotary table, lifting arm and tooling. The most expensive single item was truck from Liverpool to Cambridge.

Andrew

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for the info. I was kind of expecting anything up to £1K but I will probably have 3 boxes because I am going for the full package along with the small lathe that mounts on the table.

I will probably place the order tonight.

Regards,

Bob.

MetalHacker (Andries) asks,

"

"Wasn't that the subject of some recent articles in HSM? I recognise the photographs"!

You are absolutely correct Adries. I penned that article and a couple of others that appeared in HSM. I also wrote a whole series of workshop articles for the motorcycle magazine "Real Classic".

I think if you do a search on Google of Bob Rodgerson & Humber some of my very early stuff will come up.

Regards,

Bob.

Bob,

A word of caution. I thought long and hard about the add-on lathe. It was in the mix, out of the mix, back in, and finally out. In retrospect I am glad that I didn't buy it. Ultimately it's a rather expensive mini-lathe. I asked the question as to whether it would be happy turning stainless steel, and got a non-commital reply, which I took to mean not really. The screwcutting is quite clever, but nevertheless a substantial compromise. For short work it is better to mount the work in the spindle and use the mill axes to drive the tooling.

Of course the usefulness of the bolt-on lathe may depend upon other equipment that is available. I find that a manual lathe with capstan and a hydraulic copy unit, and a repetition lathe are far more versatile.

Generally Tormach read the market pretty well, but my personal feeling is that the add-on lathe wasn't one of their better ideas.

Regards,

Andrew

PS: I did buy the 8" 4th axis rotary table and it has proved invaluable. Oh, and buy more spindle tooling than you think you'll need.

Hi Andrew,

the lathe attachment will be reserved for very light work but I wanted a smaller bench top lathe anyway so I will still go with it. I have also ordered the 8" rotary as a 4th Axis. Tooling I have ordered the starter tooling set as well as the CNC operators sets there should be plenty of holders to get on with. nI have two mills in the workshop right now so I have a good selection of tools.

Thanks for the advice,

Regards,

Bob

Out of curiosity, I just had a look at the Tormach site, and was interested to see that they are about to produce a Slant Bed Lathe. This is an excellent concept, much discussed in the early days of Ergonomics ... I'm looking forward to seeing what they produce.

MichaelG.

I have seen the software for this new lathe and can't say much other than it's awesome, makes a Fanuc look like a mickey mouse setup.

Only problem is it only comes with the lathe

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Which is looking raher pricey

Methinks a decent win on the Premium Bonds is required.

MichaelG.

Compared to what ?

IMHO no one has made a decent small CNC lathe that doesn't have an industrial price tag.

Probably the nearest is the XYZ Turn at £22,000

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Available funds.

Pricey, not Expensive