syil vs tormach

Edited By John Stevenson on 02/06/2011 23:19:12

Robby,

Bloody hell mate were you been, asking a question about CNC on this site have you got a death wish. It’s been blood on the dance floor for the last week or so, when it comes to CNC.

But as you have asked do a search on Tormach and you will find a similar question by me. I bought a second hand PCNC 1100 about 3 month ago and am delighted with it. It’s got a good working envelope plenty of installed users a healthy internet based fraternity with plenty of help if you struggle like me.

Check out YouTube for plenty of videos of it working one guy I found particularly helpful to watch is NYCCNC his time laps assembly video is fascinating.

The Tormach was far bigger than I envisioned prior to purchase. Having seen the typical size machine you see demonstrated at Harrogate or the Midlands buzzing away it’s just in a different league. There is plenty of tooling available up to a 38mm face mill and you can take a hefty cut with that if your confidence is up to it

I cannot speak to Syil but Tormach support is excellent as an example I purchased Sprutcam of them as my CAM package and was struggling with it, still am for that matter. I dropped Eric the software engineer at Tormach a line and he organised a 1to 1 WebEx session where he went through all my issues remotely on my computer a real confidence booster.

Tormach have also improved the machine over the years recently introducing a power draw bar and an auto tool changer both retrofit kits and both expanding the machines capabilities.

There are two very good articles in ME Worksop number 171 and 172 (the very mention of that should be pulling the scabs off a few peoples tender spots) by Andrew Johnston which are also very informative and worth getting on back order.

If you are considering a purchase from the states it might be worth looking at Novacon who I think are a more direct competitor to Toramch than the Syil machine. Although a much younger company than Tormach they don’t look a bad machine.

Jim

Edited By Andrew Johnston on 03/06/2011 19:35:34

Hi, I know this thread is 2 years old now, but I thought I'd reply to it rather than starting a new thread as I am part of a group trying to make the same decision...

I am a member of a 'hack-space' type group in Cambridge called Makespace - **LINK**

and we are considering getting a Tormach / Syil sized machine for cutting steel and aluminium.

Would either of these machines be more or less suitable for some serious hobby level and beyond use by a number of chaps of varying abilities? I think one of our concerns with either machine would be keeping the thing operational - we're probably more likely to make mistakes than the average seasoned model engineer, and so spares and support would be important to us.

Cheers,

Joe Tapply.

Joe, have sent you a PM.

Isn't a 'hackspace' just an name for a 'club workshop' in the 21st century?

Perhaps "Model Engineer's Hackspace" will be the number three publication and carry all the CNC?

Neil

It's probably the wrong term, but it was the first that came to mind! Please have a look at this article if you're interested in the various sorts of places people can get together to make stuff : http://makezine.com/2013/05/22/the-difference-between-hackerspaces-makerspaces-techshops-and-fablabs/]

I'm more worried that I'll never have a shed/workshop of my own TBH - most of the UK seems to think it is great that shed-worthy land will be £10,000 / m^2 in a few years!

Edited By JoeT on 15/08/2013 10:09:34

Edited By JoeT on 15/08/2013 10:10:09

Joe: As mentioned earlier in this thread I have a Tormach PCNC1100. As also stated I live near Cambridge, so you are welcome to visit and see the machine. Send me a PM if you're interested.

I have cut the gauge plate and cast iron mentioned in my original post, with no problems. Here's an expansion link cut from gauge plate:

And here are bevel gears cut in cast iron:

Regards,

Andrew

Those are lovely looking parts Andrew - and thanks for the offer of a visit - I will gladly take you up on that - PM to follow

Cheers,

Joe

Are there any happy Syil owners out there with parts & insights they'd like to share?

Cheers,

Joe

Not criticising, Joe, I think its great that a new generation is finding their own way to have shared spaces and gear. We need to recognise that these folk are part of the future of model engineering. They will all have sheds... one day!

Neil