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30th Jul 2019, 11:01 PM #1Intermediate Member
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CNC Purchase advice Tormach or...???
I'm after a CNC for working with plastic, aluminium, perhaps a little steel.
People have suggested a Tormach, it's a little out my budget. Well lot out of it actually, but I want something decent.
Any suggestions? I was looking at a tormach 440.
Originally I was looking at some sort of cnc kit from China however I don't want to spend the next 12 months screwing around to get it working well. I want to make stuff!
Open to second hand stuff if anyone has something suitable
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30th Jul 2019, 11:11 PM #2Most Valued Member
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- Jul 2016
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CNC is pretty much a pay to play kind of arena. Either go the home hobby route and cobble something together, or pony up. There isn't really a middle ground afaik.
You could grab an early 80s machine like an Okuma and Howa or other older iron. The controls are surprisingly well thought out even on ancient stuff. But the problem is they need real air, real power and real rigging to move them. Followed by real patience and reading the documentation about 30 times.
Not long back a friend was looking what it would cost to get an essentially free DMG home and it gets really expensive really fast.
There are cheaper Asian tormach competitors like syil etc but the controls are pretty patchy and support is non existent here.
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30th Jul 2019, 11:23 PM #3Diamond Member
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I assume you are familar with the workings of CNC?
I mean, you are not a complete novice?
How much do you want to spend?
What sort of cutting area do you want?
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30th Jul 2019, 11:30 PM #4Gear expert in training
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30th Jul 2019, 11:47 PM #5Intermediate Member
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- Eltham, Vic, Australia
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I'm not a total novice, but far from an expert.
I've done a bit of work on lathes, and I'm pretty good with Fusion360 designing stuff from scratch and 3D printing it. I'm aware of the differences of subtractive processes as apposed to additive.
I've pretty much totally rebuilt my 3D printer (Aldi cocoon touch / wanhao rebrand) there isn't much left that is original parts on that. It now prints really really good, and currently upgrading parts of it again so I can print in nylon too.
So that's where I'm coming from.
As far as work area goes, 15" x 15" x 5" should be plenty for what I have in mind at the moment.
Thanks for your responses so far.
Oh an budget would be nice around $4k to 8k.. But I understand you get what you pay for...
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31st Jul 2019, 11:23 AM #6Most Valued Member
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Personally I'd look at a second hand behemoth. It's the only chance you have of getting something capable in your budget. You'll still blow the budget by miles but it'll happen over time rather than all at once.
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31st Jul 2019, 05:31 PM #7Gear expert in training
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Syil actually are distributed locally now https://au.syil.com/mini-cnc-mill , still gonna be over budget though
If you don't want to/can't go giant size, maybe look at the stuff aimed at the hobby woodworkers:
https://www.machines4u.com.au/view/a...RS6090/175998/
https://www.machines4u.com.au/view/a...00x900/461766/
https://www.machines4u.com.au/view/a...achine/295389/
You won't be chasing microns with them, but you'll get your work area and then some. You also won't be able to do anything ferrous; plastic, brass and aluminium only.
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31st Jul 2019, 06:45 PM #8Intermediate Member
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@caskwarrior had a look for a behemoth, couldn't really find anything? Do you have a link?
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31st Jul 2019, 06:47 PM #9Most Valued Member
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Oh no I just meant something ancient and enormous.
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31st Jul 2019, 06:49 PM #10Intermediate Member
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31st Jul 2019, 07:10 PM #11Philomath in training
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If you are only going to do plastic and Al, have a look on ebay for CNC routers. They will probably do the job. If you are a you tube fan, then look up the videos by "this old tony". He has a CNC router (home made-ish) and I think he has (very carefully) even used it on steel.
Michael
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31st Jul 2019, 07:35 PM #12Gear expert in training
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Found a couple of behemoths, possibly too big?
https://www.machines4u.com.au/view/a...-BMC50/361798/
https://www.machines4u.com.au/view/a...centre/299073/
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31st Jul 2019, 11:25 PM #13Intermediate Member
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You wally @elanjacobs They wouldn't fit in my suburb, let alone my house.
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1st Aug 2019, 01:17 AM #14Intermediate Member
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Thanks MICHAEL, great recommendation!
I've been watching "this old Tony" for ages. He's probably the main raeason I haven't totally written off DIY CNC
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1st Aug 2019, 07:13 PM #15Diamond Member
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- Mar 2014
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I wouldn't bother with a industrial second hand machine on that budget. If a board or power supply goes in the control you will spend your budget again on parts.
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