[rmachinist]

Hi, not sure if post this here or not, @ work I make about 200 units a year side job for me. I milled the two pockets and one slot in pinewood see in picture: now at work I used 1/2 3flt carb. End mill two passes of .200 in depth to void chipping the wood and small end mill for the groove; I would like to do this at home. I need advice before I buy something and it don't work out, looking to buy a bench-top mill (mini mill) and maybe convert it over to a cnc or cnc router my budget maybe around $500-$2000 and what model or brand to look at
Thanks

[dazp1976]

Hi, not sure if post this here or not, @ work I make about 200 units a year side job for me. I milled the two pockets and one slot in pinewood see in picture: now at work I used 1/2 3flt carb. End mill two passes of .200 in depth to void chipping the wood and small end mill for the groove; I would like to do this at home. I need advice before I buy something and it don't work out, looking to buy a bench-top mill (mini mill) and maybe convert it over to a cnc or cnc router my budget maybe around $500-$2000 and what model or brand to look at
Thanks

I can't see a mill like the size of a Sieg X2 (mini mill) managing a 1/2 @ .200 depth. Depends on your feed rate too though I guess.
Very optimistic manufacturers spec on those small machines.

[rmachinist]

i understand smaller machine may need a few more passes being less rigid even a 3/8 cutter would be find, looking for a machine that i can have in my basement that could handle jobs like this quickly

[ger21]

A Shapeoko maybe? Not the most rigid, but only $1100.
https://carbide3d.com/shapeoko/

Not much available under $2K except chinese machines on Ebay.

[OlfCNC]

A Shapeoko maybe? Not the most rigid, but only $1100.
https://carbide3d.com/shapeoko/

Not much available under $2K except chinese machines on Ebay.

RawCNC in Sweden is under $2K: Products | Rawcnc DIY Engineering

[dazp1976]

i understand smaller machine may need a few more passes being less rigid even a 3/8 cutter would be find, looking for a machine that i can have in my basement that could handle jobs like this quickly

Router prob better for wood.
For a mini mill I'd say the SX2 or similar with solid column. Cheap relatively good conversion option is prob 425oz/in stepper kit from Longs or Wantai with Chinese C7 1204 on x,y and 1605 on z. Thrust bearings all round. Get the ones with around 3.1 inductance.
I use these on my X2.

[DonKes]

About 43 years ago I shared equipment with a guy that had an old hand tracer mill that had an X and Y handle that the operator used trace a part. It was surplus from a high school from many years before. His guys made a set of motorcycle crowns for me with it. The master part had pockets for the hand tracer to follow.

It would be perfect for this job.

Don

[fusion_crank]

For that, I would make a fixture to hold the part and use a hand router with a bushing to follow a simple template.

[rmachinist]

you think a mill would be more rigid and as quick then router ?

[warrenb]

For chipping issues use a downcut spiral cutter. As for machines where are you? I am selling 2 routers cheap.

[rmachinist]

Wisconsin what do you have for sell and how much?

[rmachinist]

where to look for a used machine?