Small CNC Mill - Stupid option or merely sub-optimal? (Page 2 of 2)
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I wasn't tracking their prices a few months ago, so I don't know if they've already raised anything.. Well... I found a reference to the PM-25 going for the same price in 2023 as it is now, and the same thing for a 727M. Is it sad that I was almost hoping the price had already jumped so I could justify putting off a purchase like I originally intended? That leaves the dilemma... DIY install of a cheaper but fancier DRO or go for the one with factory installation and support. Hmmm... |
Disclaimer - OP is bad at knowing things, and might catch on fire.
Vet - Op MMAMA
Every other species kills off their stupid......we cater to them. -- spin-drift
Nobody ever called 911&said I just did something smart. -- TheFlynDutchman
Vet - Op MMAMA
Every other species kills off their stupid......we cater to them. -- spin-drift
Nobody ever called 911&said I just did something smart. -- TheFlynDutchman
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Critiques on my cart contents please... The mill and feed are the base. I understand there are better deals to be had on r8 collet sets than the $80 and $170 'precision' and 'ultra precision' offerings on the site? Would I be better served with an R8-E32 adapter? I see an Accusize R8-ER32 for $60, a Shars R8-ER40 for $56, and a full set of 12 no-name ER32 w/ r8 adapter for $80..?? PM-30MV x axis power feed $300 1/8-5/8 ultra precision keyless chuck $130 End Mill set 5 piece 4 flute $19 End Mill set 5 piece 2 flute $19 52 piece clamping kit $70 5" high precision milling vise x2 - $360 The delta (pre-tax) between this and subbing the dro and x feed for a Procut PM-30 pre-assembled CNC is $3200. Please let me sell a few guns quickly.... |
Disclaimer - OP is bad at knowing things, and might catch on fire.
Vet - Op MMAMA
Every other species kills off their stupid......we cater to them. -- spin-drift
Nobody ever called 911&said I just did something smart. -- TheFlynDutchman
Vet - Op MMAMA
Every other species kills off their stupid......we cater to them. -- spin-drift
Nobody ever called 911&said I just did something smart. -- TheFlynDutchman
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I know ER collets are popular for tool holding in smaller machines. I can't remember if ER were meant for tool holding or work holding. I passed on using them. I've been using homemade R8 tool holders and R8 collets when using odd sizes. I'd pass on the end mill sets. Just order a few decent quality 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" or whatever size you think you'll get the most use out of. 2 flute for aluminum. 4 flute for steel is what I usually do. There are better options, but count on ruining a few before you start figuring things out. The sets are cheap for a reason. 1/8-5/8" is about the right size. Could probably get by with 1/2" max. I have a couple really nice chucks. I've also bought a few cheap imports. You can tell a difference, but the imports seemed fine. I wanna say I only gave $20 or so for the imports off ebay new. I bought one import that goes to 3/4" for the tailstock of my lathe. For the vise, make sure to order from a well known company with good reviews and customer service. I bought a "Kurt style" vise with the pull down wedge for my Millrite and it was almost comically bad. I did a lot of brazing and machining to make it right. Still cheaper than a legit Kurt. The 4" models seem to be made from gold and bedazzled with diamonds. I have Kurt 6" vises on my other machines (bought on sale from Enco, before MSC killed it). |
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Originally Posted By Boostinjdm: ... For the vise, make sure to order from a well known company with good reviews and customer service. I bought a "Kurt style" vise with the pull down wedge for my Millrite and it was almost comically bad. I did a lot of brazing and machining to make it right. Still cheaper than a legit Kurt. The 4" models seem to be made from gold and bedazzled with diamonds. I have Kurt 6" vises on my other machines (bought on sale from Enco, before MSC killed it). |
Disclaimer - OP is bad at knowing things, and might catch on fire.
Vet - Op MMAMA
Every other species kills off their stupid......we cater to them. -- spin-drift
Nobody ever called 911&said I just did something smart. -- TheFlynDutchman
Vet - Op MMAMA
Every other species kills off their stupid......we cater to them. -- spin-drift
Nobody ever called 911&said I just did something smart. -- TheFlynDutchman
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Originally Posted By Amish_Bill: I wasn't tracking their prices a few months ago, so I don't know if they've already raised anything.. Well... I found a reference to the PM-25 going for the same price in 2023 as it is now, and the same thing for a 727M. Is it sad that I was almost hoping the price had already jumped so I could justify putting off a purchase like I originally intended? That leaves the dilemma... DIY install of a cheaper but fancier DRO or go for the one with factory installation and support. Hmmm... I’m just going to throw out that the “support” isn’t all that useful as they can’t see the machine or do much besides replace parts after some troubleshooting as you can’t just ship the machine back if you have an issue. It’s not that they don’t try but there’s only so much they can do over the phone or via email. My 833 came with the wrong dial on the quill and while PM was fast to ship out the correct dial I ultimately had to disassemble the quill feed assembly to get the new dial installed. |
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Originally Posted By Amish_Bill: What are the symptoms of a low quality vise? Beside being rough and jumpy to crank and being half bondo, at least? Jaws not parallel to mounting slots? Its jaw track not parallel to milling surface? Originally Posted By Amish_Bill: Originally Posted By Boostinjdm: ... For the vise, make sure to order from a well known company with good reviews and customer service. I bought a "Kurt style" vise with the pull down wedge for my Millrite and it was almost comically bad. I did a lot of brazing and machining to make it right. Still cheaper than a legit Kurt. The 4" models seem to be made from gold and bedazzled with diamonds. I have Kurt 6" vises on my other machines (bought on sale from Enco, before MSC killed it). I have a Vevor 4” and a Kurt DX4. I can’t honestly say after using both and tramming them in that the Kurt was worth 8x the money. The Kurt is definitely nicer as it’s tighter and quite a bit smoother but they’ve both worked for what I’ve done so far. Your options are basically Kurt, Homge, Tegara, or something like a Vevor. |
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Originally Posted By Firestarter123: I've been happy with ER-32 for holding my end mills and the Accusize set is nice. Last fall they had the, for 50% off on Amazon so $90 rather than $180. Oh, related question - is there any issue with taking each face mill and running it into a block of wood to make a caddy? |
Disclaimer - OP is bad at knowing things, and might catch on fire.
Vet - Op MMAMA
Every other species kills off their stupid......we cater to them. -- spin-drift
Nobody ever called 911&said I just did something smart. -- TheFlynDutchman
Vet - Op MMAMA
Every other species kills off their stupid......we cater to them. -- spin-drift
Nobody ever called 911&said I just did something smart. -- TheFlynDutchman
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Originally Posted By Amish_Bill: With 2hp, would the larger tool size of the ER 40 be worth it? Two cheap sets go to 1-1/8, which would be convenient for holding a 1" tube on the lathe... but that's not the current concern. I'm not sure I'd have any business running a 1" bit in a PM-30 Oh, related question - is there any issue with taking each face mill and running it into a block of wood to make a caddy? I decided it wasn't worth going ER-40 as most drill bits above 3/4" are going to have a stepped down shank. I wound up going with a 5C collet set and blocks for use on the mill and lathe to hold material as they allow passthrough of the material while the ER style collets don't. I made a few end mill holders if you want to take a look: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6890592 If you're talking about facing mill holders then I made one for that too: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6889451 |
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Originally Posted By Boostinjdm: You mean end mills? No. ... Originally Posted By Boostinjdm: You mean end mills? No. ... Originally Posted By Firestarter123: I decided it wasn't worth going ER-40 as most drill bits above 3/4" are going to have a stepped down shank. I wound up going with a 5C collet set and blocks for use on the mill and lathe to hold material as they allow passthrough of the material while the ER style collets don't. I made a few end mill holders if you want to take a look: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6890592 If you're talking about facing mill holders then I made one for that too: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6889451 |
Disclaimer - OP is bad at knowing things, and might catch on fire.
Vet - Op MMAMA
Every other species kills off their stupid......we cater to them. -- spin-drift
Nobody ever called 911&said I just did something smart. -- TheFlynDutchman
Vet - Op MMAMA
Every other species kills off their stupid......we cater to them. -- spin-drift
Nobody ever called 911&said I just did something smart. -- TheFlynDutchman
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That's correct. Drills, counter sinks, etc. go in drill chucks. Endmills and other cutters go in collets, shrink fit holders, or set screw type holders. For a mill with an R8 spindle, R8 collets and holders have the least stickout. 5c with blocks would be fine for work holding in the mill and lathe, but a no go for tool holding as it would require a custom holder and would have a massive amount of stickout. |
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Originally Posted By Firestarter123: Did you order the PM-30?  |
Disclaimer - OP is bad at knowing things, and might catch on fire.
Vet - Op MMAMA
Every other species kills off their stupid......we cater to them. -- spin-drift
Nobody ever called 911&said I just did something smart. -- TheFlynDutchman
Vet - Op MMAMA
Every other species kills off their stupid......we cater to them. -- spin-drift
Nobody ever called 911&said I just did something smart. -- TheFlynDutchman
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Originally Posted By Amish_Bill: Delaying it a little - truck repairs, unplanned dental surgery, and unplanned water leak have put a mill-sized dent in my discretionary spending for a little while Originally Posted By Amish_Bill: Originally Posted By Firestarter123: Did you order the PM-30? Bummer 😞 |
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Originally Posted By Boostinjdm: I just got home with a Grizzly G4000 that you made me buy. I hope you're happy with yourself.  And I look forward to being out from under all these audits so I can get back to pulling years of cruft and crud from the garage and get the 220 line hooked up to mine. |
Disclaimer - OP is bad at knowing things, and might catch on fire.
Vet - Op MMAMA
Every other species kills off their stupid......we cater to them. -- spin-drift
Nobody ever called 911&said I just did something smart. -- TheFlynDutchman
Vet - Op MMAMA
Every other species kills off their stupid......we cater to them. -- spin-drift
Nobody ever called 911&said I just did something smart. -- TheFlynDutchman