Hello Everyone,
Let me begin by saying that I am new to hobby CNC. That being said, I am not green to machine tools and working in a machine shop environment, so I can follow along with most of you. I've read some posts here and have learned quite a lot from reading. I have also visited many of the websites that the members here refer to often, like g0704.com and CNCFusion.com. I do have a question or two though, and I am looking for recommendations.
My first question is, which milling machine do you recommend? I am considering 2 machines right now, the Seig X3 and its corporate variants, and the Grizzly G0704. I want to convert the mill to CNC eventually. I will consider other machines, but these 2 seem to have a good fan base and that speaks volumes by itself. At this point, I am leaning towards the G0704 and I am thinking several things at this stage:
1) I am interested in making small parts from aluminum, mostly 12 inches or less in size.
2) I want a machine that I can grow into, not one that I will be looking to replace as my skills and needs increase.
3) I believe in saving up my money and buying the better machine in the beginning, however, I don't need a full sized mill and don't have any plans to need one in the future.
My second question is, does anyone make a single purchase kit with all of the electronic components to run the mill? Electronics is an area that I lack knowledge in and the easier the better. I can handle the mechanical stuff, but I get a little lost when it comes to electronics. From prior reading, I already know to stay away from the Chinese stuff.
FYI....I saw this thread http://www.cnczone.com/forums/bencht...idea_what.html and have read most of it. Thanks to those who have posted info, and thank you to Hoss for posting all of the links he posted, especially the MIT videos. I'm sure I'll be contacting you soon.
Let me begin by saying that I am new to hobby CNC. That being said, I am not green to machine tools and working in a machine shop environment, so I can follow along with most of you. I've read some posts here and have learned quite a lot from reading. I have also visited many of the websites that the members here refer to often, like g0704.com and CNCFusion.com. I do have a question or two though, and I am looking for recommendations.
My first question is, which milling machine do you recommend? I am considering 2 machines right now, the Seig X3 and its corporate variants, and the Grizzly G0704. I want to convert the mill to CNC eventually. I will consider other machines, but these 2 seem to have a good fan base and that speaks volumes by itself. At this point, I am leaning towards the G0704 and I am thinking several things at this stage:
1) I am interested in making small parts from aluminum, mostly 12 inches or less in size.
2) I want a machine that I can grow into, not one that I will be looking to replace as my skills and needs increase.
3) I believe in saving up my money and buying the better machine in the beginning, however, I don't need a full sized mill and don't have any plans to need one in the future.
My second question is, does anyone make a single purchase kit with all of the electronic components to run the mill? Electronics is an area that I lack knowledge in and the easier the better. I can handle the mechanical stuff, but I get a little lost when it comes to electronics. From prior reading, I already know to stay away from the Chinese stuff.
FYI....I saw this thread http://www.cnczone.com/forums/bencht...idea_what.html and have read most of it. Thanks to those who have posted info, and thank you to Hoss for posting all of the links he posted, especially the MIT videos. I'm sure I'll be contacting you soon.