Alright, for all you that have mills & CNCs... I'm seriously considering a breakdown. Breakingdown and purchasing a CNC mill, I mean. I've been looking at Taig mills, but I'm a little confused by their website. Mostly because I've never used a mill before. So it looks like I have 2 basic options: 201(8/9)CR - CNC ready ($710.00 - $815) ---> I don't know what a with ER 16 SPINDLE is to know if I want one. 202(6/7) CNC ($2095.00-$2295) The CNC seems to be the same as the CNC ready except it comes with a controller and stepper motors. stepper motors alone shouldn't cost over $1000 more. What is the controller, (I assume it interfaces with a PC) is there a cheaper option? What about software? None of these CNCs seem to have software. The software I think is the key part of the puzzle. Without good software, I might just find "I just plain can't do it". Where / how much is software? Am I just confused or am I looking at the wrong company??
I've talked with the guy who runs the shop at De Anza College, and he says they charge $1000 extra to use a USB port instead of a floppy disk drive. So $1000 more for stepper motors and controller sounds pretty good to me. If you've NEVER used a mill before (CNC or not) you should seriously consider taking a machine shop class before getting a mill. You'll probably save yourself a lot of pain and cost in the long run by knowing the proper way to use a mill, and you should have a better idea what you want by the end of it. I'm taking a machine shop class at my local community college and I'm loving it. Mills, lathes, and G code for CNC machines. Most importantly, I'm learning speeds and feeds for optimum efficiency, tool life, and surface finish.
Yeah... I could pay to have someone teach me... But ehh.. It's more fun to learn on my own. Besides: The money spent on a machinist course would 1/2 pay for a mill. A class requires a repeating time commitment, which I don't think I can make. My time schedule is kinda haphazard at the moment. I would hate to pay for a class that I never wind up going to. BTW, you've indirectly gave me a answer I was looking for.. 'G code'
OK... from what Carl has given me: (Correct anything that is wrong) G Code is the scripting language used to specify where and how the CNC cuts your metal. G Code is sent directly to the CNC controller which decodes the GCode into stepper movements. --> is this righ G Code can be written directly in notepad, or graphically by a CAD program. Are there any free CAD programs available for us hobbyists? Carl, you said: "$1000 extra to use a USB port instead of a floppy disk drive" What do you mean by this? a floppy disk cannot act as a USB port? They are different technology. I don't understand what you mean.
It's a very complex question I'm a novice at cnc too, but have been reading http://www.cnczone.com/ for a while. I believe there are several sources of freeware software locations there, both cad and otherwise. Also, there should be some programs that are able to create g codes from cad drawings, but I'm not sure if they are freeware or not. floppy vs (usb?) port... it *ought* to have both imputs. The reason is max size of code stored for a part... If your instructions are larger than the floppy, then you are, well out of luck. Some machines dribble the code through the port at what the ram capacity is. Problem is there are sooo many different machines and variables I can hardly keep track of them. I'd look for ready out of the crate systems... Like the grizzly for 12k, or various large table tops with computer for 5-6k. I personally do not like the milling machine heads on a round collum... as they lose position when adjusted for height far to easily for me. The Sherline and Taig would quickly run out of room for me. Although on ebay less computer a grand or two is not a terrible price for a learner machine. Here's a link http://www.syilamerica.com/ to similar machines. Keep in mind... you are always only one major collison (mistake) away from trashing your machine. DO NOT sell short the value of machining classes... Like Kotori said... There's a lot to be learned... and a strong sense of the basics goes a long way. You probably won't be made to start with a chunk of metal and a file. I did. I've gotten two semesters in, but the program advanced from manual to cnc in the last two semesters, guess when I had to move Good news, there's a college an hour from me that has a machining program, bad news they don't spend as much time in the shop. And I have to wait a *YEAR* for instate rates again. The classes were great for my confidence... There were about 15-20 students, mostly entry level working machinists getting paid training while on the job. The remainder were students with two years of advanced vocational at high school. Before this I was self taught (since about 99), and I wasn't the worst luck Mike
If you are doing work on the x and y axis with minimal on the z axis, sears has a CNC machine for about $1600. Its only for small pieces i think. Maybe good for cutting perfect plywood ribs and keeps out. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00921754000P?BV_SessionID=@@@@0018833813.1168235300@@@@&BV_EngineID=cdccaddjkllkmklcefecemldffidfki.0&adCell=P3&pid=00921754000&vertical=TOOL&ihtoken=1
Here is how you can hook up the taig mills (order of design) Cad package-> creates model Cam package -> creates gcode interpreter-> takes gcode and tells servos/steppers what to do controller-> takes signal from interpreter and actually controlls the servo/stepper motors mill-> cuts part purpose built machines will have the interpreter, controller, and mill all in one unit and will take in gcode via serial connection or floppy (or other removable media) quite frankly, gcode is ascii text. it takes a lot of gcode to fill up a floppy. as far as my recommendation for benchtop w/ cost minimization taig ER collet 12" x axis CNC ready mill (mill) Xylotex 3 axis ready to go box (steppers and controller box) Mach 3 on a windows xp machine with a parallel port (use what you currently have) (make sure it is faster than ~1.5ghz... multicore/processor does NOT help matters here, this is a raw speed operation) deskcnc or use the built in lazycam in mach 3 to do your coding (or do it by hand, it isn't that hard for simple stuff) (or make friends with a machinist) alibre is free for design software. USB ports can be used to talk to the controller box (as opposed to using a parallel port). The problem is that parallel port communications are properly timed for simultaneous axes motion... serial port (remember that USB is a serial communication architecture) coms are not.... to use a serial port, you have to have something on both end to properly time the signal or the motors will move erratically. this adds a great deal of extra cost. -Greg
Right, this is in line with what we were talking about the other day. One question I have is: Can I buy in phases? Can I buy the taig w/o the CNC ready package; and add to it as I have money?
OK... I will see what the cost differences are. I doubt kat would be on board with me spending $2k on a mill in one go; if I saved up or not.
OK... so The mill alone costs: $875 The upgrades to the mill cost: $266 Total to buy the thing a piece @ a time is: $1141 + (2x shipping) ($80) The Cnc ready mill cost: $1105 + 1x shipping ($40) So I would be saving roughly $80 to buy the mill in one go... hmmmph.
Hey, $80 saved is two speed controllers, some cutters and other tools to accompany your mill, or a @#$%load of ammunition. I'd say take it!
I've decided to get it. Greg, I'll call you tonight... If I forget (not likely) PLEASE call me, I want to talk accessories & details.
First purchase (through carter tools): 2019CR-ER 2019 converted to CNC ready with Nema 23 motor mounts, adjustable bronze leadscrew nuts, and upgraded 1/4 horse power motor . Does not include stepper motors or control system. $1105.00 - 10% HND-CR $21.00 - 10% Handcranks for all three axis in addition to CNC motor mounts +$40 shipping --Some months later-- xylotex controller system for ~$450 Mach3 (free) w/ computer (probably use my laptop) Additional cad programs that I "procured" through a friend of mine... will that about do it?
