Hello gents,
Firstoff, let me introduce myself. I'm a Sonar Technician in the Canadian Navy for, well, going on 19 years now. That involves electronics repair, and maintenance of everything from the 510 Hull Mounted Sonar, the SQR-19 Towed Array, plus various navigation systems including the Mk. 49 Ring Laser Gyro Compass, a couple different GPS systems, etc etc. So, I'm reasonably technically savvy.
BACKGROUND
Before I joined the Navy, I completed the first semester of a machining course at a community college, and alas, the fact that I dropped the course to join the Navy without completing the other 3 semesters has been one of my few regrets.
Since I moved into my current home (6 years ago) I've been working on building up my home machine-shop. I'm now in posession of a RF-31 style manual benchtop mill, and an old Southbend 10K lathe that's mostly clapped out, but for $400, I couldn't say no.
Before the 10K and the -31, I had a Sherline 4400 lathe/mill combo setup that I was into for the better part of $2000 in parts, tooling, etc. I was, well, substantially disappointed by it's slow cutting and small work-space.
I'm now able to make some decent sized items, and have built, among other things, parts for some of my firearms, and some other little jobbies that have kept me busy and amused.
I am, foremost, a hobby machinist, not a production guy. I have helped friends out with some little jobs here and there, and enjoy that.
FUTURE PLANS
That said, I'm looking down the road towards my retirement from the Canadian Forces, and am pondering the idea of a small prototyping machine-shop setup.
For that, I would consider a CNC mill a mandatory item, and would think that for the size jobs I'd consider doing, a Tormach 770 or 1100 would be adequate, or at least a machine in that class/size. (I have thought about getting the CNC Masters Junior CNC upgrade for my RF-31 mill, but at $4500-ish, I think I'm almost better tossing the $$ into getting a dedicated CNC mill such as the Tormach for only 1/4 more money.)
My retirement from the CF would not be for at least the next 4-5 years.
So.
With those thoughts and considerations on the table, I would like to get a small CNC mill, and the Taig CNC mill seems to fit the bill for the size and space and budget I currently have available.
GOALS
The primary goal for this level of machine is to learn CNC.
The secondary goal for this machine is to produce some small parts, ie, rifle bolts, optic mounts, etc, for my own use. Some parts will be steel, some may be aluminium.
The tertiary goal for this machine is to retain some capital value so that I can sell it down the road when the time is right to upgrade to a larger CNC setup.
BUDGET
I'm currently on an overseas deployment where things are wet, but close to the sand, and an old friend from 1986 has come back to bug the world. As a result, my income has taken a bit of a spike UP due to the allowances/pay/etc that we get in theatre. As such, my budget for this upgrade, including tooling, is about $4000.
I have a significant pile of R8 tooling onhand for my RF-31 mill, but understand that I'll need to buy some that would be exclusive to this machine.
TIMELINE
I am not planning to make my purchase until I re-deploy to Canada (Halifax) in the fall, so there is no rush to my decision, I have time to consider my options and spend my money wisely. That said, when I get home, I would like to have a big box (or two) waiting for me to unpack and play with during my post-deployment leave.
WAY AHEAD
I'm looking for information that will help me determine what I best need to suit my goals above. I will not consider a Sherline, and am strongly leaning towards the Taig, though in some reading on here, it would appear that I should not buy the CNC directly from Taig. From what I've read, here's what I'm pondering:
1. 2019 Taig CNC Ready Mill
2. Gecko Driver thingie
3. Motors (???)
4. Etc.
I'm interested in the idea of having the ability to do 4-axis machining, as there is a rifling job I've been considering working on, but have never actioned due to not being able to make the mandrel I've wanted. A 4-th Axis would allow me to do that.
So, I understand that there is a gentleman (Deepgroove1) who offers a nearly "turn-key" package (though much assembly is required) with a suitable system.
DISCUSSION
I present the following questions for discussion:
What machine (if not the Taig) would suit my needs/goals?
What combination/package would be recommended?
What options would I need included?
What additional items should I expect to need (on top of the "turn-key" package)?
I appreciate your help and input, and look forward to your replies. There seems to be quite a lot of knowledge here, and I have some time to tap into it before I spend the money I'm earning looking down the barrel of a bunch of artillery pieces.
NavyShooter