[SoldierB]

Hi,

I'm looking to learn from other's experience on cutting steel on benchtop machines. I'm planning to use the machine to cut small steel parts.

I am planning to convert the mill over to CNC within 6-8 months of getting the mill (if that helps).

My current budget was planned around a G0704 w/ the Hoss CNC conversion. I could possibly stretch my budget for a machine a little bit further ($2000-$2500 tops), but have the following restrictions:

1. I can't run a 220v line for my machine, it needs to be 120v (although I could get a dedicated 20A / 120V line for the machine).

2. Getting a machine with a larger footprint than a benchtop isn't practical for me. I am looking for a machine I can disassemble and move with two people (preferrably just myself).

I've seen the G0795 (Grizzly.com® --) but it has a 220V motor.

There's a lot to be said for the comfort level of sticking with the G0704/Hoss conversion as there is so much information there, much less of a chance of ordering the wrong part or having to do things twice.

Thanks in advance.

[dracozny]

220 is not a big deal really you can run a transformer and a VFD for 220v convert to 220v 3 phase.
are you sure you cannot do 220? It can be run on the exact same wiring, your breaker would just need to be changed to use two bus slots instead of a single.

the G0704 and the G0759 are similar sized but are very light weight to use on steel on a regular basis.
If you have the room you might consider a Charter Oak (rf45 clone) instead as it's still the same class a bit larger and gives better travel on all 3 axis as well as having much better fit and finish in comparison to any of the other clones.

[victorofga]

the main breaker board should have 2x110 ... so you woould be able to use that..

on other hand as above explained, a vfd will take care on electrical issue..
actually a vfd outputs 3 phase..

[dracozny]

fixed my response a bit. I would highly recommend the 3 phase. Better part finish, more torque etc.. if you order the Charter Oak 3 phase is an option with VFD installed. also a CNC upgrade kit later is available from them, or you could do what many other RF45 owners have done and roll your own.

[hoss2006]

fixed my response a bit. I would highly recommend the 3 phase. Better part finish, more torque etc.. if you order the Charter Oak 3 phase is an option with VFD installed. also a CNC upgrade kit later is available from them, or you could do what many other RF45 owners have done and roll your own.

A charter oak would kinda blow his budget and not fit his reason #2 ehh?
The g0795 (not g0759) is a mini rf45 I suggested to him in an email, it would be better for steel no doubt, at 500 lbs would still be a bear to move alone.
Might be worth asking grizzly if they know if it could be wired for 110, my rf45 motor can be run on either 110 or 220, I had it on 110 for the same reason.
Hoss

[dracozny]

A charter oak would kinda blow his budget and not fit his reason #2 ehh?
The g0795 (not g0759) is a mini rf45 I suggested to him in an email, it would be better for steel no doubt, at 500 lbs would still be a bear to move alone.
Might be worth asking grizzly if they know if it could be wired for 110, my rf45 motor can be run on either 110 or 220, I had it on 110 for the same reason.
Hoss

Possibly, though he only indicated "benchtop sized" but not what his actual size restraints were. budgets are always a royal pita to maintain and sometimes there is more flex than one is initially willing to put forth so it's only a suggestion.

I didn't recognize the head on the G0759 for some reason, I suppose it looked to narrow to me.

As far as moving, it can be done, I moved the zx45 almost solo from the crate to my back room through the house. I actually moved the column and base as one piece, though lifting it to the table required help from a friend. I have removed the column during my Z axis CNC retrofitting solo. A dolly is a huge help!

[hoss2006]

Possibly, though he only indicated "benchtop sized" but not what his actual size restraints were. budgets are always a royal pita to maintain and sometimes there is more flex than one is initially willing to put forth so it's only a suggestion.

I didn't recognize the head on the G0759 for some reason, I suppose it looked to narrow to me.

As far as moving, it can be done, I moved the zx45 almost solo from the crate to my back room through the house. I actually moved the column and base as one piece, though lifting it to the table required help from a friend. I have removed the column during my Z axis CNC retrofitting solo. A dolly is a huge help!

Yep, I moved my rf45 into my basement by myself too but it wasn't nearly as easy as the g0704.
RF-45 Clone Mill
I tried talking him into the bigger mills, g0795 and rf45 for steel cutting when he first emailed me.
Hoss