Boxford 300 VMCI mill centre

[Jack MParticipant @jackm14742]

Hi all been looking at getting myself a cnc milling machine to start to cut my teeth on

I'm not really interested in Chinese cnc converted machines want something with auto tooth change fully contained work area to keep chips and coolant all in place

So been looking at the boxford 300 VMCI or similar machine like that also denford make same style machine

So has anyone owned one of these cnc mill or has one now? Knows of someone who does? Or ever used one or seen one in use?

Would like to know more info about this machine see one working in person if ever possible before making my mind up

Thanks

[Jack MParticipant @jackm14742]

[Phill SpowartParticipant @phillspowart84010]

Are you looking at buying new from Boxford, or buying one of the many ex school machines second hand?

If the former, pretty expensive route but you'll get a nice machine. I have a feeling you'll need to keep paying for software updates/licencing etc, and I'm not sure they're that keen to deal with random blokes in sheds. I could be wrong on both counts though.

If you're buying second hand, you'll be looking at doing a conversion on the electronics. I have a TCL160 lathe, which the following is based on. Not got my hands on a mill, but I assume they'll be similar.

Mechanically, they are lovely little machines, with everything you'd expect from a proper CNC machine. Only flaw I found was where some threaded holes broke in to the V way on one slide, which would allow swarf to get in-some blanking plugs cured that. Check for similar pratfalls on a mill.

With regard to the electronics, you cannot get software for the older machines. Boxford will take an old machine and rebuild it to new spec, but it costs a fair bit. (I was quoted around £6K 5 years ago, vs the then price of around £12K for a new lathe from them). I cannot find any alternative software, and would warn against any dodgy downloads. I think Boxford get a bit lawyery about that sort of thing. In addition, the older machines electronics are very primitive compared to what you can get now.

Conversions are pretty easy. I used PlanetCNC stuff, which is nicely made and seems to work well. Their software is pretty intuitive, support is excellent and the price is pretty reasonable. There's a couple of things that don't work quite as I'd like, but they're lathe related so won't worry you much. To do my lathe cost around £1000, of which £655 was PlanetCNC bits. That included new steppers and power supplies, but I managed to keep the original spindle drive system.

Other systems are available, I'm thinking of using AcornCNC for a future project as it has more features (e.g. encoder feedback), however the control board alone costs the same as my whole conversion IIRC.

[David ColwillParticipant @davidcolwill19261]

Hi,

Whilst I have no experience of the Boxford you mention, I do own a Denford Triac mill with a 6 position tool changer.

I converted it to Mach 3 some years ago and it is a very well built machine.

Mine came from a school somewhere in London IIRC.

It had been shipped out by Denfords but didn't work on arrival. Denfords offered to fix it but there was a dispute over shipping and it was never returned. Total cost new was £26,000 (in 1989 or there abouts).

Many of the school machines were built to very high standards but have seen limited use.

The only CNC Boxford I have seen was a TCL125 and that too was very well made.

The control electronics and software can be a PITA especially with Boxford who seemed to have a reputation of not granting or transferring licences to anyone who is not a school (I don't know if this is still the case but a poke around the forums will give you an idea) Denford have been great regarding access to information and software for older machines. If you look around their website you will find information and circuit diagrams for most of the machines they make and a number of current and ex employees frequently contribute to the forums.

There have been a few Triacs on eBay between £3000 and £5000 but if going down this route beware of scammers!

I am about to move to the darkside (Linux CNC), so I will probably say more about this later.

Regards.

David.

[Jack MParticipant @jackm14742]

Yes im looking at buying one used very good condition second hand one i was looking at i think it was a 2013 machine

After hearing what you said about the software i think I might contact boxford first and see what they say about selling me a licence for home use if they are not a pleasure to deal with looks like I will have to go down another cnc route i have seen people buying one of them used and converting it all over i didnt fancy doing this myself i just wanted to buy a cnc i could buy built of a decent quality and start making parts

Thanks for your replies so far

[EmgeeParticipant @emgee]

The Boxford VMCI 300 certainly has a good sized working envelope with XYZ Axis Travel 304 x 157 x 213mm.
If supplied new from Boxford with the auto toolchanger pack price including VAT is £27500, a lot of money for a hobby machine but if money is not a problem go for it.
Some of the earlier Boxford VMC mills didn't have very much height from table to spindle so restricted part height that could be machined.

Myself I couldn't spend such a sum on a machine for hobby use and would look at the second hand market but you do need to know something about cnc machines or you could just be buying something that has been thrashed close to death.

There have been several Denford Triacs sold in recent months, some with toolchangers and most appear to have had little use, but the older machines may still be running with outdated software programs so would perhaps need converting to run with CAD/CAM software.

Later machines can have Fanuc or Heidenhain control systems fitted, they are both industry standard so would not need upgrades but if you don't have 3 phase power supply watch out for machines needing 3 phase + neutral 380v supply.

On eBay now a DENFORD VMC 1300 CNC VERTICAL MILLING MACHINE 2011 £9000 + vat

A £5000 budget would buy an older but very good machine ready to work if you are prepared to wait a while.

Emgee

[Jack MParticipant @jackm14742]

I just see the boxford though that looks a great little machine but i certanily wouldn't buy one new for that money too much money you could go get a haas for that much money i only looked as i thought second hand prices seem okay still a little on the high side

I just had a look at the denford Triacs they look a great machine too and I'd be more than happy to buy one of them too can you put 4th axis on them too do you know? I'd love to know more now about the Triacs and see one in person myself now if anyone has one thereself see it operating etc

Thanks

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