603,872 active members*
3,809 visitors online*
Register for free
Login
Page 1 of 2 12
Results 1 to 20 of 32
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    12

    Trying to choose...

    I need a light production cnc with 20" travel in X. I will be doing a lot of drilling in light aluminum so decent rapid moves would cut down cycle times. Other runs are some aluminum billet machining, no real tough materials.

    I would like to spend $10000+- but need an easy turnkey. I like Microkinetics cnc express, IH turnkey, and smithy 1240 bed mills.

    http://www.ihcnc.com/pages/cnc-mill.php
    http://www.microkinetics.com/express/
    http://www.smithy.com/products.php?cid=11

    Any info to steer me would be appreciated.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Posts
    1738
    If looking at the Smithy, look to Novakon instead. Same machine, but I hear there is more support from them. If you are a student they also give a 15% discount so you save a few thousand dollars.


    -Jason

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    3655
    Hi CPK. Welcome to the Zone!

    Quote Originally Posted by SpeedsCustom View Post
    If looking at the Smithy, look to Novakon instead. Same machine, but I hear there is more support from them. If you are a student they also give a 15% discount so you save a few thousand dollars.-Jason
    Good choice Jason, but that will not give him 20 inches X travel.

    Now I would build that with an X3 head/column mated to a Grizzly G1006 base and table--23 inches of X, but you need a turnkey.

    Even the Tormach 1100 won't have 20 inches of X.

    Looks to me like the IH would be the best bet:

    http://www.ihcnc.com/pages/cnc-mill.php

    CR.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Posts
    7063
    If you can get by with just a little less than 20" X travel, I'd take a serious look at the Mikini Mechatronics 1620L. It looks like a *really* nice machine for the money, and will save you the trouble and expense of building an enclosure, electronics, etc., etc.. Just pluig it in and get right to work.

    Regards,
    Ray L.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Posts
    1602
    The Novakon NM 200 claims 24" X travel so would cover that aspect. Rapids are only about 100 ipm so that might not be optimal.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    3655
    Quote Originally Posted by HimyKabibble View Post
    If you can get by with just a little less than 20" X travel, I'd take a serious look at the Mikini Mechatronics 1620L. It looks like a *really* nice machine for the money, and will save you the trouble and expense of building an enclosure, electronics, etc., etc.. Just pluig it in and get right to work.

    Regards,
    Ray L.
    Looks like a nice machine all right, but only 16 inches X. Is this even available yet?

    http://www.prlog.org/10217120-mikini...operation.html

    CR.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    3655
    Quote Originally Posted by rowbare View Post
    The Novakon NM 200 claims 24" X travel so would cover that aspect. Rapids are only about 100 ipm so that might not be optimal.
    Oops! Forgot about the Novakon 200. Sorry Jason, you were right.

    CR.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    12

    Close

    The Mikini is my first choice. I even called them, but then realized I needed more travel. I could get by with 19 minimum, so I am looking for second best.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Posts
    7063
    Quote Originally Posted by Crevice Reamer View Post
    Looks like a nice machine all right, but only 16 inches X. Is this even available yet?

    http://www.prlog.org/10217120-mikini...operation.html

    CR.
    I don't know for certain, but they're website certainly makes it seem that it is. They're just down the road from me. I'll have to go visit them sometime. Were I buying a machine right now, that's the one I'd be looking at, even though it's smaller than my knee mill, it would do 99% of what I need, and looks to be a very nice machine.

    Regards,
    Ray L.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    3655
    Quote Originally Posted by HimyKabibble View Post
    ...and looks to be a very nice machine.
    Ray L.
    Indeed!

    CR.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    12

    Microkinetics

    Any info on the microkinetics?

  12. #12
    Here's a new mill to take a look at, the BobMill 2300-MK 2 turnkey.
    Hoss
    http://www.hossmachine.info - Gosh, you've... really got some nice toys here. - Roy Batty -- http://www.g0704.com - http://www.bf20.com - http://www.g0602.com

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Posts
    7063
    Quote Originally Posted by cpkids View Post
    Any info on the microkinetics?
    The 1600 RPM max. spindle speed will absolutely kill you working in aluminum. I would consider 5K an absolute minimum. Mine runs 8200RPM, and that still limits how fast I can go with anything but larger cutters (1/2" and larger).

    Regards,
    Ray L.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    12
    Quote Originally Posted by hoss2006 View Post
    Here's a new mill to take a look at, the BobMill 2300-MK 2 turnkey.
    Hoss
    Wow! what a great machine. It would be great but at $14999 it is 50% over budget. Now I am going to hate whatever I get as inadequate.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    3655
    Here's a benchtop mill comparison chart:

    http://novakon.net/resources/NM-200+Compare.pdf

    The Novakon NM-200 does look like the most economical choice:

    http://novakon.net/3.html

    CR.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Posts
    1738
    Personally the Novakon is going to be my choice when it comes to a new mill. It also has a very nice Y travel that all other mills in this category lack.

    Don't worry CR!

    -Jason

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    12

    novakon

    The novakon has a bad rep from another thread on this forum. Makes me a little gun shy. Seems like you can't use the speed because it is not solid enough.

    http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...t=78418&page=2

    "the column is not completely stable. Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic mill for the price range, but when going to feed rates above around 10 or 15 and when there is a lot of rapid x and/or y movement"

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    12

    Game over

    I submitted a request for the Bobmill 2300MK2 as a dream request. Approved. I get it all. $15845 to my door.

  19. #19
    Maybe they'll take $10,000 down and $20 a month.
    Do they offer leasing?
    Hoss
    http://www.hossmachine.info - Gosh, you've... really got some nice toys here. - Roy Batty -- http://www.g0704.com - http://www.bf20.com - http://www.g0602.com

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    12

    Thanks

    A big thanks to Hoss for pointing out the Bobmill 2300 system. It is new on the market, but seems to fit my needs well. It is a little more than I initially wanted, but 3 times the machine.

    We are just writing a check. Don't think they offer financing. If you want to call them talk to Al. He helped me.

    I will post some pics when I get the box.

Page 1 of 2 12

Similar Threads

  1. which one to choose
    By cncsdr in forum Uncategorised MetalWorking Machines
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 09-12-2009, 12:23 AM
  2. Need help to choose
    By IN-WondeR in forum Servo Motors / Drives
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 08-22-2007, 06:59 AM
  3. help me to choose...
    By serankko in forum Uncategorised CAM Discussion
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 02-05-2007, 06:02 PM
  4. What shall I choose ?
    By NitroXide in forum CNC (Mill / Lathe) Control Software (NC)
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 01-15-2007, 02:19 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •