Looking to dive into a cnc mill this year. Never done any type of milling before but it's something I really want to get into.
Looking for something that isn't huge as I have a small workspace. I narrowed it down to 4 options and if i missed any please advise
I do plan on taking a fusion360 class this year also. My only experience currently is my cnc plasma which I have had for 3 years and did own a shapeoko3 for awhile
So which would you do and why?
Sherline cnc mill.
$1500-2k
Pros: inexpensive to get my feet wet.
cons: limited for size, doc, feed rate etc, would outgrow pretty quick
Grizzly and conversion:
$3-4K
pros: larger and more capable.
cons: if there is an issue, I'm not sure where I would start.
Saw a few threads where people were changing over to ball screws. and larger motors etc. Where does it end? Is this machine not capable of doing good work with just a conversion?
LittleMachineShop Sieg 3502
Milling Machine CNC with Enclosure 3502 - LittleMachineShop.com
$4-5k
Pros: it's enclosed..?
Cons: I have a feeling there will be a lot of hidden expenses. Demo of mach3 only. Not sure what else I need.
Tormach 440
$8-9k
pros: all in one solution (i think). seems more than capable to cut any type of metal for hobby/light production use
cons: price. scared to get in over my head at that cost. would the wife kill me if i spent that much instead of paying off her car lol
Thank you for your input