[Plato2k5]

Decided to up my production ability and purchased a Tormach 1100m CNC Mill. Looked at the new langmuire system, but the very limited Z travel had me question that decision.

Took 7 business days. Picked it up in Jackson at the dock and used my JD410 to unload it then lift it onto my custom stand.

Stand is made from 2x3 .180 wall tubing, so its very heavy/sturdy. Need to make an enclosure at some point as its messy! They wanted $5k for their enclosure and stand.

Needed to make a clamp for an oil catch can. Still need to drill the holes.

Have yet to flip it over and face it to size. I'm going very easy with my speeds/feeds as to not break more endmills lol. Shit gets expensive! Had to use my 2 flute 1/4" as I broke my 3/8" Pretty dang happy for my second cut.

 

[whiterhino]

Nice. Is this a hobby project or a business venture?

 

[SHARPMACHINE]

Looks good. I need another unit in my garage. Need to be able to use 2 tools though. I currently run a vmc that has a toolchanger.

 

[Plato2k5]

Nice. Is this a hobby project or a business venture?

Hobby with hoping to get into small runs for peoples one off things.

Looks good. I need another unit in my garage. Need to be able to use 2 tools though. I currently run a vmc that has a toolchanger.

You can run auto tool changers on these. VMCs are nice. I was going to get a full size mill as you can find them for around $10k on facebook marketplace....just didn't have the room or want to mess with getting more power to the house.

 

[Mihlfeldl2005]

You need to build a damn barn already.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

 

[SHARPMACHINE]

Hobby with hoping to get into small runs for peoples one off things.




You can run auto tool changers on these. VMCs are nice. I was going to get a full size mill as you can find them for around $10k on facebook marketplace....just didn't have the room or want to mess with getting more power to the house.

Yes, I have a full size now and am considering it. space is a premium for me also. Might have to build a barn also?

 

[wrath]

I am very jealous.

 

[halfgassed]

Nice! I didn’t realize there were so
many guys on this site into machining! That’s no joke about tooling, shit adds up quick….especially when a “whoops” happens and ya don’t figure it out the first “whoops”

 

[halfgassed]

picked this up this fall. Clausing 10x54, with fagor 3axis cnc, and power drawbar. just been waiting ongetting my garage wrapped up/moved back in. Hoping to wire in my phase converter in the next week or two, and then start tooling up!

 

[feva4u]

Nice!

 

[Plato2k5]

I am very jealous.

I received a nice bonus, so I was able to put it towards this. Figured invest in tooling, you can always make money!

Nice! I didn’t realize there were so
many guys on this site into machining! That’s no joke about tooling, shit adds up quick….especially when a “whoops” happens and ya don’t figure it out the first “whoops”

I'm just getting into the machining side of things. I've done a lot with my CNC plasma. I've had a few of those..... just buy more end mills lol!

Thats a nice mill! I thought about converting my knee mill to CNC....but did not want to go through the hassle of making it work and putting it all together.

 

[halfgassed]

I was originally looking for a Bridgeport with an EZ trac cnc, everything I was finding was a pisspounded 2nd op production machine with dated controls/amps/etc. So I then switched to looking at refurbished bridgeports that I’d add a new updated cnc system to…..and then one of my machine brokers called me about my clausing.

what are you using for programming software?

 

[Plato2k5]

I was originally looking for a Bridgeport with an EZ trac cnc, everything I was finding was a pisspounded 2nd op production machine with dated controls/amps/etc. So I then switched to looking at refurbished bridgeports that I’d add a new updated cnc system to…..and then one of my machine brokers called me about my clausing.

what are you using for programming software?

Outdate electronics was my worry when looking at converted CNC machines. Look forward to seeing what you make!


Tormach uses PathPilot (pretty certain its their own). I use Fusion360 for modeling and CAM.
For my plasma/router table I use Mach3.

 

[halfgassed]

How you like that fusion 360? I’ve heard some good and some bad, as of now it’s my first choice, but never having used/played with it kinda got me on the fence. My plasma table uses its own software an the little I’ve used it so far I’m not too impressed, I’m sure I’ll get used to it with time, I’m just used to using solid works and smart cam.

 

[Plato2k5]

I like fusion360 for the sense its... free! lol. I learned CAD on Catia and SolidWorks LOOOONG time ago. Playing with Fusion360 for the past 4 years I have no issues navigating how to do things. I'm sure if I were to go back to Catia or SolidWorks I'd have a heck of a time navigating the screen. No doubt SolidWorks is a better cad program.

Its kind of nice that Fusion is cloud based. I can draw my stuff in my office. Then I can go to the garage and pull the stuff up on the computer out there. Or I can take my laptop out to the garage with me....literally have access anywhere with an internet connection.

The CAM operation can get tricky..... just need to really pay attention to what you are doing and you'll be ok.

 

[Plato2k5]

first aluminum part. Brother needed a battery hold down. Unfortunatly the work holding was not ridged enough at the ears....tool chatter popped up on the facing operation Oh well, all part of the learning path!

 

[Jrgunn5150]

This is very cool, congratulations!

 

[Plato2k5]

This is very cool, congratulations!

Thanks! Been fun having to think about how to make the part... or more like how to clamp it!

 

[Plato2k5]

Need to drill and cut threads for the steering wheel holder.

Battery pass through lugs plate. I'll get my fly cutter working one of these days. I don't mind the tool paths though.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

When I worked as a journeyman, fixturing was the most time consuming part, and it makes all the difference in what you can achieve, or how quickly.