Maybe I am going through a typical path:
Step 1) Registered on CNCZone
Step 2) Started reading the project logs
Step 3) Bought a CNC router
Step 4) Reading more project logs, trying to make my router better
Step 5) Bought a bunch of parts
Step 6) Started Designing Machines
Step 7) Having friends making parts
Step 8) Thinking about buying a manual milling machine to make parts by myself ...
Now I am at step 8)
Seriously thinking about a manual milling machine. I think this is a right way to start. I am an electronics designer and consultant. Believe it or not my whole house is in solidworks, even got my faucet modeled.
Again, I will say I learned a lot from this forum.
So back to the topic. I am buying a manual milling machine. It will be in the basement of my new house. Budget is $2000 to $2500. For good reasons may bump up the budget.
Thanks for HOSSMACHINE's Mill Comparison Sheet. I started from that sheet and narrowed down the options.
This is his sheet:
Because I am planning to use the mill to machine parts for the vertical CNC machines or routers. I think I will need the long X travel. Just talked to Pat at Machine Tools Warehouse, he got a few in stock and new batch coming. I am planning to get the MD001(IH Clone) in May or June. The price is $2300+$150shipping. Price looks good to me. and I know it is only the start...
Anyway, just want to have a good start point.
Everyone in Hoss's sheet looks pretty good to me. I also search the zone with those model numbers. Each one has its pros and cons. I picked MD001 pretty much by the travel, and of course it looks good!
This will be my first milling machine, the closest I have used is the drill press (I also use my CNC router + MACH3 doing 3D cut on wood and plastic).
Anybody with manual MD001 or IH 12Z can tell me if I am looking at the right machine to building VMC's?
The travel of the VMC will be in 12"x8"x4" envelope. accuracy aiming at 0.002"
It will use HIWIN linear rails.
Thanks