- Joined
- Mar 6, 2022
- Messages
- 23
Hello all. First and foremost thank you to the admins and contributors for creating this depository of information. I've seen the other threads on this but I'm looking for the most up to date information as it seems like there have been a couple of disruptive technologies implemented since my last foray with the G0704. I've spent a decade looking into subtractive and reading forums just like this one. For every one person making a post like this, there are likely hundreds who have the same question. The days of paralysis by analysis are over for me however and I'm ready to make the leap!
My name is Jamie and I am looking into building a CNC machine. I purchased a G0704 in 2014 with the intention of converting it to CNC, but then joined the military shortly thereafter and made the decision to sell it with the plan of coming back to it once I get out. Fast forward to today and I am ready to make the leap.
I'm currently using my G.I. bill benefits towards the eventual goal of a graduate degree in mechanical engineering. My intention is to build a machine which will allow me to grow in the short to medium term with a bigger and better piece of equipment on the time horizon of ~2025-2028. In an effort to hedge against the rapid onset of technological innovation in regards to metallic additive I've made the decision to go with a smaller hobby grade mill. This decision has also been made as my involvement with the local Formula SAE team and colleges in the area would likely allow me access to industrial grade machines for the rare prototype which requires a level of tolerance that optimization cannot provide on my set up.
The Tormach 770MX and 1100MX were looked at, but for the price I'd rather just get a Haas Mini Mill. While I do have the capital to make that purchase I beleive it would be more prudent for me to start with something a bit more manageable to get my feet wet, then make the decision to move to a VF series in a few years while monitoring barrier of entry to additive. The workspace I have for the mill also needs to be taken into consideration. I have a 2.5 car garage but there are many motorcycles and a car which stay there so the space I have to place a machine is approximately 66"L X 46" D X 117" H with an 82" garage door height.
The education that I received while planning my G0704 build as well as a small course I took at ORNL's MDF on Haas equipment was invaluable and has given me a much clearer picture of what I need to do and where I need to go. With that being said, a smart man learns from his mistakes while a wise man learns from the mistakes of others. While I think it isn't necessarily a direct translation, the jist is I'm looking for hindsight from those who have been there and done that. The unknown unknowns so to speak.
Current plan:
PM-25 or PM-30
clearpath servos
Acorn
one shot oiler
flood coolant
power draw bar
After looking at and considering the ProCut enclosure I'm looking into making my own to see what type of rigidity I can get with a column brace.
Band saw
some way for touch off...I've seen converted Renishaw probing as well as cheaper new options
a more quiet air compressor than my loud standing craftsman
I have associated mechanics tools from motorcycle racing and most normal things you would find in a motorcycle shop but my current home manufacturing capability is almost non-existent with a Dremel and files being the primary means of subtractive. I have access to multiple 3D printers at the college if something low strength needs to be produced, but I don't imagine it will be a significant help. The ProCut CNC enclosure looks to be a decent piece of kit. Are there other options out there? I don't mind doing it myself if there is a modular design that allows me to bolt it together but both my access to and knowledge of welding is insufficient at this moment to take that on myself. Fit and finish is a tiny bit important so while it is completely functional, making the enclosure out of wood is not something that I'm interested based off what I've seen so far. But maybe there's a design that is slick and not too hard to do that I don't know about! Teach me please.
So far as I can tell Acorn seems like a superior option to the tried and true Mach 3 in terms of room for overhead development and expandability. Once I possess equipment which can make equipment then I'm sure I'll start to do gradual improvements here and there (Power draw bar, maybe dual belt depending on motor size choice, eventually an ATC). The key is to get limited manufacturing capability ASAP in my current shop which will allow me to grow and justify my plans for building a shop.
As far as expectations are concerned, I'm keeping them tempered I beleive. I should be able to spend enough time taking measurements for software screw compensation to make a machine which is reasonably positionally accurate with low backlash due to the double nut ballscrews. Rigidity will likely be my key limiting factor once motor size/speed is sufficient, but if I go slow and understand the material properties of my work piece then despite the price tag, I should still be able to produce somewhat accurate prototypes that will allow me to grow as an engineer. Then once I'm ready to take the next step for serious production of my designs and starting a business I'll get a bit more serious machine.
SOOOOOOO after all that; what says ye? PM-25 with a Procut CNC enclosure, clearpath servos, acorn, and all the various other subsystems? This would keep me on 115v with a normal wall outlet so one less thing to do for home electrical. Or perhaps an unknown unknown? Tell me what you wish you would have done please!
My name is Jamie and I am looking into building a CNC machine. I purchased a G0704 in 2014 with the intention of converting it to CNC, but then joined the military shortly thereafter and made the decision to sell it with the plan of coming back to it once I get out. Fast forward to today and I am ready to make the leap.
I'm currently using my G.I. bill benefits towards the eventual goal of a graduate degree in mechanical engineering. My intention is to build a machine which will allow me to grow in the short to medium term with a bigger and better piece of equipment on the time horizon of ~2025-2028. In an effort to hedge against the rapid onset of technological innovation in regards to metallic additive I've made the decision to go with a smaller hobby grade mill. This decision has also been made as my involvement with the local Formula SAE team and colleges in the area would likely allow me access to industrial grade machines for the rare prototype which requires a level of tolerance that optimization cannot provide on my set up.
The Tormach 770MX and 1100MX were looked at, but for the price I'd rather just get a Haas Mini Mill. While I do have the capital to make that purchase I beleive it would be more prudent for me to start with something a bit more manageable to get my feet wet, then make the decision to move to a VF series in a few years while monitoring barrier of entry to additive. The workspace I have for the mill also needs to be taken into consideration. I have a 2.5 car garage but there are many motorcycles and a car which stay there so the space I have to place a machine is approximately 66"L X 46" D X 117" H with an 82" garage door height.
The education that I received while planning my G0704 build as well as a small course I took at ORNL's MDF on Haas equipment was invaluable and has given me a much clearer picture of what I need to do and where I need to go. With that being said, a smart man learns from his mistakes while a wise man learns from the mistakes of others. While I think it isn't necessarily a direct translation, the jist is I'm looking for hindsight from those who have been there and done that. The unknown unknowns so to speak.
Current plan:
PM-25 or PM-30
clearpath servos
Acorn
one shot oiler
flood coolant
power draw bar
After looking at and considering the ProCut enclosure I'm looking into making my own to see what type of rigidity I can get with a column brace.
Band saw
some way for touch off...I've seen converted Renishaw probing as well as cheaper new options
a more quiet air compressor than my loud standing craftsman
I have associated mechanics tools from motorcycle racing and most normal things you would find in a motorcycle shop but my current home manufacturing capability is almost non-existent with a Dremel and files being the primary means of subtractive. I have access to multiple 3D printers at the college if something low strength needs to be produced, but I don't imagine it will be a significant help. The ProCut CNC enclosure looks to be a decent piece of kit. Are there other options out there? I don't mind doing it myself if there is a modular design that allows me to bolt it together but both my access to and knowledge of welding is insufficient at this moment to take that on myself. Fit and finish is a tiny bit important so while it is completely functional, making the enclosure out of wood is not something that I'm interested based off what I've seen so far. But maybe there's a design that is slick and not too hard to do that I don't know about! Teach me please.
So far as I can tell Acorn seems like a superior option to the tried and true Mach 3 in terms of room for overhead development and expandability. Once I possess equipment which can make equipment then I'm sure I'll start to do gradual improvements here and there (Power draw bar, maybe dual belt depending on motor size choice, eventually an ATC). The key is to get limited manufacturing capability ASAP in my current shop which will allow me to grow and justify my plans for building a shop.
As far as expectations are concerned, I'm keeping them tempered I beleive. I should be able to spend enough time taking measurements for software screw compensation to make a machine which is reasonably positionally accurate with low backlash due to the double nut ballscrews. Rigidity will likely be my key limiting factor once motor size/speed is sufficient, but if I go slow and understand the material properties of my work piece then despite the price tag, I should still be able to produce somewhat accurate prototypes that will allow me to grow as an engineer. Then once I'm ready to take the next step for serious production of my designs and starting a business I'll get a bit more serious machine.
SOOOOOOO after all that; what says ye? PM-25 with a Procut CNC enclosure, clearpath servos, acorn, and all the various other subsystems? This would keep me on 115v with a normal wall outlet so one less thing to do for home electrical. Or perhaps an unknown unknown? Tell me what you wish you would have done please!
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