Looking for a cad controlled milling machined for hobby work

ivanthehunter

Is there such a thing as a small milling machine for the DIY enthusiast.
If not where might a second hand industrial unit be sourced and at what price.

I'd also be in the market for a lathe..

Can any one point me in the right direction.

Thanks
PS i know where the Pub is thanks...:rolleyes:

DublinDilbert

Are you looking to cut wood/plastic or steel?

if its wood/plastic, there's quite a few hobby mills, which can be purchased as a kit, then you would need stepper motors + controller. If you buy a kit for the components, motors, controller, you'd be looking at around €550 or so...

If its for steel, you'd be best getting a traditional mill with CNC control, i'm guessing you'd be looking at 5K plus, second hand, if your lucky.

ivanthehunter wrote: »

Is there such a thing as a small milling machine for the DIY enthusiast.
If not where might a second hand industrial unit be sourced and at what price.

I'd also be in the market for a lathe..

Can any one point me in the right direction.

Thanks
PS i know where the Pub is thanks...:rolleyes:

ivanthehunter

Well I'd be looking to go work mainly with some small steel components.
I'm in no hurry to buy so i can wait for a bargain but where will i look.
5K is a lot and if this recession hits hard those prices will fall-I hope!!

Regards Ivan

Knotme

I hope this posting is not out of place but I have an old bridgeport milling machine, its manual and 3phase but its a great machine. A bit too big for my workshop so it must go. I also have a lathe, again space must be made for a new machine I am getting. I will sell both or barter for engineering workshop equipment.

MrPreachan

My advice would be to look in the UK for a CNC mill. I always bought over there, better machines, better prices even when sterling was adding 20%. Have a good contact if you are interested, he doesnt deliver anymore but shipping wouldnt be that expensive. Only thing is you would be looking at ESB delivered 3phase for most decent machine, converters wont work with CNC, to my knowledge anyway.

ivanthehunter

Jesus is anything easy in this world???
I;ll get on to esb in morning..
I have some industrial equip at the moment but it has options to run on single phase as well as 3phase

foamcutter

Useful information at cnczone for converting or creating your own hobby machine.

Gurgle

ivanthehunter wrote: »

Is there such a thing as a small milling machine for the DIY enthusiast.
If not where might a second hand industrial unit be sourced and at what price.

I'd also be in the market for a lathe..

Can any one point me in the right direction.

Hi OP, I have a bench lathe available.

Its not CNC, I think this is the model:
http://www.chesteruk.net/store/conquest_lathe_super.htm

PM if you're interested.

Did you have any luck getting a pcb milling machine?
I'm looking for one now. -edit- just realized its not a PCB machine you were looking for.

powerfarmer

For a hobby CNC milling machine have a look in Model Engineers Workshop magazine available at Easons there are a several suppliers of hobby machine tools in it but most are in the UK or take a look at this unit:


http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Additional-Departments/Special-Offers/Sieg-KX1-Hobby-CNC-Mill