benchtop machine, which one for me ?

after watching several videos I was surprised at what people where doing with their benchtop mills, I always had it in my mind I would need a has mini mill, but for the things I want to do the benchtop will get it all done.

I have been in the machining trade 10 years so machining is not new to me, benchtops how ever are, with grizzly not making the 0704 any more I looked into the 0759, but before I just run out and get any thing, I need to know what mills and what cnc conversions work together, are made to fit together, also where to get the conversions, what do I really need and not need ?

I would love to upgrade the motor, but for now lets just get me into the cnc and I can upgrade the motor and other things as I go.

I need you the readers and those with experience to.....

(1).... tell me what bench tops are good

(2)... which cnc converson kits are best ( links to their sights)

(3) which software is best to run them ( I would like to possibly cam on mastercam then load it into the software)

(4) give me any advice,links or what ever to best help me on my way

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hawk_550

...with grizzly not making the 0704 any more...

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You better tell Grizzly they don't make the G0704 any more. They don't seem to have gotten the memo....

Grizzly.com® --

Regards,
Ray L.

you aren't asking for too much are you, lol. since you mention the g0704 be sure to check hoss's awesome site on the subject, g0704.com lots of links to mills, conversions and software.

If you can get a chance to compare the finish on a BF-20 versus a G0704 I think the BF-20 come off as slightly better finished. From the pics I've seen, and from my experience converting my BF-20, the castings seem to be a little more thicker.

And no I'm not dissing the G0704, and being Down Under and not being able to view one I guess I could be talking out of my bottom. And they are many many G0704 owners are really happy with their machines.

Hoss has a wealth of info and his electronic recommendations are great.

Hawk, what size machine are you wanting? What do you want to make with it?
There is a big range of machines from proxon to charter oak size that all get lumped into "benchtop".
Many have conversion kits or plans for them but it helps to narrow it down a bit.
Hoss

It would also help if we knew the size you want to machine, seems like you already have an idea, what materials too.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

Having a G0704, if I had it to do again I would definitely go for the MD001 (charter Oaks mill) instead. I think the machine is just a bit more of a step up with table size and travels without having to extend anything to get the travels and weakening it's rigidity.

That's just my opinion though. There is significantly more support for the G0704, but several have converted the md001. I know vertcnc just posted his entire conversion on here for it and his setup looked great.

That is of course only my opinion and depending what you want to do with your mill, the G0704 may be just fine.

When I bought mine cost was a factor and I think I got mine for $995, however shortly after the MD001's went on fire sale for $1500... Oh well, time and pace situation. But now I see that are $1195 and while a great deal still at that price, I think for the price spread you get a whole lot more mill with the MD001 platform.

Chris

the charter oak is nicer, $2350 base price plus shipping last i checked and 1000 lbs which might be too much for some.

Many of the posts mention the Charter Oak Md001 which is a nice machine. In case the OP is not aware of it, the Charter Oak/md001 is a variant of the RF45 series of mills. Many companies have RF45 type mills and many have been retrofitted to cnc with excellent results. The RF45 type is the largest of the bench mills. Hoss has a video where he compares sizes of the tabletops using scale models.

I bought a RF45 type mill and am in the process of retrofitting it now. It is a pretty large machine, approaching a bridgeport for table size, motor etc. They are just over 1000lbs, more when retrofitted.

I found it difficult finding the RF45 clone with the long table the charter oaks mill has. I think it's 240mm x 1000mm vs most RF45 clone 240mm x 800mm. Most everything else looks the same/similar. I think they have 28" X travel vs... 20" which is a pretty big difference. I would definitely go for the longer table given the choice since the price is about the same.

I found some Chinese mills RG45FGB (MD001 Clone) model with the long table and the price was very good but I have no experience with the company and you lose your state side support going that route. Not sure it would be worth the savings if you ran into a problem.

The charter oaks (formerly industrial hobbies) or md001 (IH clone) are not just longer table RF45's, they are bigger in all aspects. The rf45's run in the 750 lb. range while the CO/md001 are in the 1000 lb. range.
You can see the differences in my video below.
Hoss

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9yEEt4mLMg