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IndustryArena Forum > MetalWorking Machines > Uncategorised MetalWorking Machines > Can I / Should I convert this mill to CNC?
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Posts
    2

    Can I / Should I convert this mill to CNC?

    Hi,
    Newbie here, long time lurker, first time poster. I have an old (pre-war?) S.C. Ames & Co. vertical/horizontal milling machine. I would like to build myself a small CNC milling setup. Is this machine a good place to start? Can it be converted to CNC? What would it involve? Is this machine rare or valuable to the point that I should not bastardize it? Any help is appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Dan
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 0120092012.jpg   0120092014.jpg   0120092014a.jpg   0120092015.jpg  

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  2. #2
    I would not waste time on that machine. Sorry to put it so bluntly but there are so many cnc knee mills available, with working or dead controls that you can get really cheap. I bought 2 mills off ebay for around $750 each and 1 has a 4th axis rotary table. Both machines are in perfect mechanical condition just electronics need a retro. Buying a good set of ball screws for your mill will probably be at $1000.

    Dan

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Posts
    2
    That's what I needed to here. A manual mill it shall remain.

    Thanks,
    Dan

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