Originally posted by Ken226:
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Originally posted by mark123:
quote:
Originally posted by Ken226:
... I've got about 6k into my g0704 build, not far off the price of a decent small Tormach
Is your build more machine for the money or should I just look into buying a turnkey? I'm not looking to go bananas to start. Just something small.
Yes, it's equivalent to a turnkey mill that's a couple thousand more. But it's a couple thousand more in labor to build it, so maybe a wash as far as price.
The info and experience learned is the biggest benefit.
Not knowing where you stand with CAD/CAM and g-code, I'd start there. If your already a whiz with that stuff, disregard.
If not, download the trial version of mach3 and start familiarizing yourself with the CNC control software.
For cad/cam, download a trial version of turbocad or something similar, and meshcam.
Do this before u spend any money. Most people who have asked me to help them learn CNC have ran screaming the first time they saw what's involved in generating a 50,000 line g-code program. My college engineering program included several semesters of CAD and several more for CAM. It's not something you learn in a few weeks. I've been doing it for years, have built several CNC mschines, and still feel like a novice.
The CAD / CAM can be intimidating. Try a trial version of turbocad (standard type draftingl) and cubify (solid modeling). I had to learn both, AutoCAD (drafting) and Inventor (solid modeling) and each has it's place.
The autocad/turbocad style drafting software is powerful. U could design a spaceship with it, but solid modelers can model some like an engine block in minutes.
For drafting, AutoCAD is the gold standard. Solidworks and inventor compete as the top solid modelers.
And without that g-code file, a CNC is just s manual mill without handwheels on the powerfeed.
Forgive my 8 edits. Everytime I read my own post I find a spot where my droids autocorrect feature "helped" me.
