[rcazwillis]

I am 100% newbie, but learning quick. I have zero experience with milling. Lots of reading done to this point. I went to HF today and decided to purchase the HF Drill/Mill machine (#42976). Can't say I am overly impressed, but I have a ton of learning to do.

My intent is to convert it to CNC. I have been using CAD for 2 years or so and have learned how to convert it to G-code. I don't intend to do production runs on it, but want to be able to make custom pieces with some level of accuracy. Did I waste my $400 on this machine?

[CerveloRod]

Waste your money?? IMHO all milling machines for the hobbiest need work. I can't, nor do I want to think of it, imagine all the time I have put into my mini-mill. CNC with steppers, ball-screws, motor mounts, spindle PRM, lapping, cutting new gibs, re-designing Z, flood coolant, and the list goes on and on.

When I started the only thing I wanted was a square column because I had heard things about the round column machines, but now I don't think it was as big a deal as I initally thought.

There's a lot of support here, and plans available if you get stuck to move your project along. I built with no plans, but just looking at what others had done, and designing in AutoSketch what I wanted. Most things others have accomplished already will be applicable to your conversion...

Welcome to the crowd...

Rod

[rcazwillis]

I looked at the smaller square column machines and decided they were just too light weight. This is not a big machine, but it seems to have more heft. As I learn more, I suspect the machine will get better.

Thanks for the response.