Well guys, first let me say hello. I ve been lurking for awhile, I ve read alot of interesting stuff and glad to be able to get such a wealth of information for free !!!
Now to my idea. I have a Sherline 5400 cnc, and the 4400 cnc as well with threading capabilities. Well I bought these machines after some research that they were in my price range for a cnc setup. That alot of my work would be aluminum and mild steel. The lathe cuts guide rods for guns out of stainless, its pretty decent, nothing like the Haas machines I ve run, but hey for $2000 I cant complain. I ve pretty much paid it off within the first few months I had it.
I am opening up a small custom gun shop. Just making small production runs of triggers, hammers, guide rods and things of that nature. Also doing some basic engraving ideas.
I ve found the sherlines work good for what they are probably intended for and thats a hobbyist that is going to play around making a thing or two. But as far as production or serious work, they lack the power and ability, and for $2000 , I cant expect much I guess.
I ve been eyeballing a Tormach setup. I figure I am going to limit myself to about $10,000 and the Tormach looks like the best bang for the buck.
With that said, I ve been cruising here and noticed the IH setup and the X series. I ve pretty much canceled out the X series brand just for a few things people have said here and there. I am not looking to upgrade something the minute I get it home. So the Tormach seems to be something I can have dropped off , setup and start cutting.
The videos Tormach shows seem very good. And its power /ability seems to be more then capable for what I want and need. The Duality lathe seems pretty neat too.
I have a older Jet benchtop, something similiar to their middle to large model JMD18. But its an older version. Slight different specs on things, table is a touch smaller/bigger , just things like that. I got it for $400 just recently. I ve only used it twice to hog down some parts.
Would retrofitting something like this be worth while. Ball screws, etc. I dont have alot of time to invest into retrofitting as the new business is starting to take off , leaving me with little to no time to do anything. I am not an electronic person, and thats a bummer. I mean I can wire things, but if I have to sit down and start to make a schematic, I dont have time for that. I would really like a plug n play setup if possible.
Dollar wise, the machine seems decently tight. Not alot of wear on it that I can see. Throwing parts at it to retro fit it I didnt find much to convince me that the time I spend is worth it. A new in the box machine like the Tormach ( am I really going to be hurting with stepper motors ? For what I ve done with the sherline I feel okay, but I know its not a high speed machine setup like a new Haas ) going to satisfy most people. I am not building airplanes or rocket ships.
Anyways, I cant spend much more then $10,000. Thats alot of loot for me, and might mean selling off some of my prized guns for it. But hey they dont make me money , only pleasure to shoot and with all the time I spend working now, I dont even get that. I figure better machine, means less time working ( or more work in the same amount of time ) and better parts.
Ramble ramble ramble......Just kinda thinking outloud and wondering what others have to say about retro/Tormach/sherline.
Thanks