[wizard]

Inspect! Inspect! Inspect!

Really it is the only choice you have when it comes to non mainstream machines.

The only other thing I can suggest is to consider alternative machines or bump the budget to buy a more robust machine. Well that and watch for auctions and such.

Oh, and lastly, any ideas on how we can get a firm idea on the mechanics of the Suregrave, how it might handle aluminium.
So far I can only think of
a) try before we buy - not possible
b) searching cnczone/Google - but this kind of machine is not common enough for much to turn up
c) start a new thread more exactly on this machine in a more appropriate sub-forum

Anyone got any other ideas?

[jonboycnc]

We took the idea of a real mill seriously ... we're looking at a Bridgeport Series II CNC mill.

Are we mad? Can we afford repairs to the electronics on this?

I started a thread in the Bridegport section just for this:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/bridge...ml#post1327518

thanks!

[wizard]

We took the idea of a real mill seriously ... we're looking at a Bridgeport Series II CNC mill.

Nice but older technology.

Are we mad? Can we afford repairs to the electronics on this?

This is up the club. If you pull it off such a mill would likely attract more members to the club long term. Doing a rebuild though involves all sorts of uncertainties which members of the club must buy into. More so proper parts for a Bridgeport rebuild aren't cheap.

I started a thread in the Bridegport section just for this:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/bridge...ml#post1327518

thanks!

Your postings do seem to indicate a need for a mill. Buying a mill would make doing a CNC router a bit easier too.

In any event returning to your big question, are you mad? That is easy no, the desire have a CNC mill is not madness. However trying afford such a mill might be for your club.

[jonboycnc]

We lost the auction, machine went for GBP £800 in the end.

We'll regroup and do some more proper research. Thanks for your help.

[wizard]

Bummer!

That is about $1200US or real money, not bad price actually. It does highlight to others that rebuild opportunities do exist for commercial grade mills.

We lost the auction, machine went for GBP £800 in the end.

We'll regroup and do some more proper research. Thanks for your help.