NOTE: I’ve been using this mill heavily for several months now after this initial review, and my opinions have changed some. This mill is still a good mill, but I would NOT RECOMMEND it for production use. Without ballscrews, limit switches, and an R8 or MT3 spindle, production is *extremely* frustrating. It’s a great mill [Read More →]
If you want a small but capable CNC machine, the Syil X2 is a very good option. It is well built, is reasonably stiff, runs Mach 3, and is a reasonable price. If you have the space and money, you would certainly be better off with the X3 or the Tormach, but not everyone has [Read More →]
Automatic tool changers are a huge advantage on CNC systems. If you have a job that requires multiple tools, you can load the tools up, start the job, and walk away. If you have a CNC machine without a tool changer, you have to hang out, change the tool manually, and work out some way [Read More →]
I got tired of holding a squirt bottle while running CNC programs, so I had to have flood cooling. To have flood cooling, you have to have an enclosure. You need the enclosure to stop from wearing the coolant, and to guide the coolant back to the sump.
CNC Machining is becoming more and more common for the hobbyist. Garage and basement machinists getting started don’t always know how you go from idea to finished part. In my search to select a system for my own use I have done considerable research.
Here are some tips for job shops who respond to RFQs.
A Request For Quote is a document that lets job shops know what you are looking to have made and to send you quotes for making it. A better RFQ gets you better parts and lower prices. Here’s some tips.
This tray goes between your vise and table. It helps keep the coolant and chips out of your T slots, and off of your ways, screws, and motors.
I recently purchased a CNC mini mill for my business. I do small runs of different parts that are hard to farm out. I’ve run into some issues with the lack of production features of the mill. These are all things that revolve around increasing the time the spindle is cutting metal. Some have to [Read More →]