[trialanderror]

I just bought a Sieg KX3 CNC milling machine which is in transit and wanted to prepare myself for it while waiting.

I know I am going to need a dial indicator so was wondering what you guys recommend for that. I haven't used one before. Do I need one with a magnetic stand? Should I be getting one with a .001" or .001mm accuracy?

I already got the following:

Tools and Hardware:
- Quick Vice
- Angled Vice
- End Mills
- Electric Dial Indicator (cheapo ebay)
- Smooth Stepper (the new LAN version)
- A $1500 windows 7 x64 laptop (I hope the it will support the smooth stepper)
- Coolant system
- Stand for KX3
- R8 Drill Chuck and Mill Chuck Set

Software:
- Mach3
- Sketchup (what I am building doesn't need anything advanced yet)
- Vectric Cut3D (to convert stl to gcode)

So far I am thinking I need the following and possibly more:
- Dial Indicator (suggestions?)
- Extra medium quality end mills (suggestions?)
- Coolant (what should I buy? can I get at any local hardware store?)
- Material to cut (ill get this locally)
- Maybe a vacuum cleaner. Will be milling aluminum (any vaccum cleaner okay?)

What else am I missing? I want to make sure I have everything ready to get started.

[neilw20]

With Mach3 seriously consider an old 1G desktop with XP on it. Find them free almost anywhere. There are even some nice small brick size computers around now.
Laptop battery saving features don't mix well with real time stuff.
A touch screen might be nice. Windows/Mach3 works OK with touch screen.

[trialanderror]

So too much speed is not good? The laptop is really fast and I would have it on full performance mode with the power plugged in? I already invested $200 in the smooth stepper so am hoping I could use my laptop.

[trialanderror]

Would appreciate some more input on this. Still not sure what to get.

[neilw20]

I've run Mach3 on a 600MHz HP with 1G ram and a parallel port with no problems.

With smoothstepper just keep asking around, until you find what works.

I don't know what impact the laptop battery saving systems have on smoothstepper.

It is latency, not speed that causes problems.
Latency problems means things don't get done in a timely manner.

Ever clicked your mouse button, and had to wait longer than usual for what you expect to happen?
If that delay occurs while feeding motion commands to a CNC, the CNC may pause momentarily,
leaving cutter marks, or at higher feed speeds (above a critical value which is machine and controller dependent) can cause missed steps.

[Guldberg]

What do you use for basic 2D machining?, as far as I can tell, Cut 3D doesnt have the basic 2D capabilities as Vcarve pro (or Cut 2D), which is a premium software. Aspire has it all if you can afford it.

[Guldberg]

For coolant, go find the nearest workshop and buy a small bottle. When mixed you will have enough for a long periode, though it tends to get quite smelly when not in use for an extended periode.

[Guldberg]

Another good tool is a dial test indicator (Dial Gauges & DTI's - Arc Euro Trade).
Real handy when centering on round parts.

And speaking of round parts, a chuck is a good thing to have for holding round parts Lathe Chucks - Arc Euro Trade

[trialanderror]

Is there a specific type of coolant I should look for?

i mainly just need a dial indicator to tune the machine but will get that dial test indicator when im more ready

for the lathe chuck I will wait until I get a 4th axis.

[trialanderror]

dont got a program yet for 2d, going to try out cut3d first see if it works.

[neilw20]

Smart move.
You will never like 2D ever again!