Re: I'm trying to justify buying a machine.....Can I use a Tormach to make steel mold
Originally Posted by
LSM
Find you a Fadal 4020 if you have room,
if not a VMC15, 40 or a 3016 they can be had for the price of a new tormach 1100 after you dress it up
you get more for your dollar with Fadal then you do for the same thing in Haas.
10,000 rpm spindle makes a big difference as do fast rappids.
you need a good cam package to make molds
Tormach has it's place but your situation probably isn't one of them
That is excellent advice. As much as I like my PCNC 1100, I think if you try to do what you want to do on a Tormach, you'll destroy the machine in fairly short order. I think for what you want to do, even a Haas is on the light side. My opinion is a FADAL with box ways would be a far better choice. The FADAL will have a steeper learning curve, but it's a way better steel cutting machine. than the Haas.
You can buy GOOD PARTS or you can buy CHEAP PARTS, but you can't buy GOOD CHEAP PARTS.