Getting started with CNC Machine & software choice

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Bob,

If you are serious about the Tormach I can put you in touch with a guy in Sussex who has one and brought it into the country himself

[Anonymous]

I've been running a Tormach PCNC1100 for the last 5 years. Overall I've been pretty pleased with it. I've had a few issues, mechanical and electrical, but I've sorted them out myself with some email support. Mach3 has a few problems when running 4th axis applications, but there are workarounds.

Importing is no real problem, the easiest is to appoint a shipping agent who looks after shipping across the US, over to the UK and all the customs paperwork. Having talked to a number of people in the UK about importing the Tormach the biggest deal killer is the realisation that VAT is payable on the purchase price; not a problem for me as I am VAT registered.

I know of at least 6 machines in the Uk; however most people I have spoken to never follow up, so I've no idea if they bought or not.

Regards,

Andrew

[Bob RodgersonParticipant @bobrodgerson97362]

Hi Andrew,

prices are very competitive and like you I am VAT registered so I get that money back. The package options are very good too. I am looking at finding enough room to fit it into my workshop. I think both of my manual mills will have to go but it should help free up a bit more space.

I contacted a recommended shipping agent and they will get back to me with a quote for shipping etc. Once I have the figures I will probably place my order. I will keep you posted.

Regards,

Bob

[Anonymous]

Bob,

I'll be interested to see how you get on. I built my own stand and coolant tray for my Tormach for several reasons. One, the Tormach stand wouldn't fit in the space available, two, I couldn't afford it, and three when I bought my mill the stand coolant pump was 110V only.

I have retained both my vertical and horizontal manual mills, and they still get as much use as the CNC mill.

Make sure you ask the shipping agent about insurance, it's not normally included as standard.

Regards,

Andrew

[Bob RodgersonParticipant @bobrodgerson97362]

Hi Andrew,

I have been checking the workshop and I reckon if I get rid of my old Tom Senior and cut and cut down the width of the stand that my Drill Press stands on I should have enough room to squeeze in the machine on the factory made stand. I have still got my large Warco manual mill which I will use while I acquaint myself with the intricacies of CNC, G code and all that good stuff.

I did notice that the shippers that I contacted have a pointer to insurance of he goods shipped so I will obviously make sure that I get that sorted out before placing my order. I will keep you posted, hopefully my order will be placed this evening if the shipper gets his finger out regarding quotes.

Out of curiosity can you remember roughly what the shipping costs were?

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

This has obviously moved on rather fast to meet the accounting deadline but on a smaller note I came accross this CNC retrofit and they have another video detailing a ballscrew fit. I like the stepper mounting (I have a Warco Minor) and though I'm not thinkng of CNC just yet it would do nicely as a step along the road as a power feed.

[Anonymous]

Total shipping cost, including documentation, government charges and insurance, was about £760, for the main machine crate and a separate box containing the 4th axis rotary table, lifting arm and tooling. The most expensive single item was truck from Liverpool to Cambridge.

Andrew

[Bob RodgersonParticipant @bobrodgerson97362]

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for the info. I was kind of expecting anything up to £1K but I will probably have 3 boxes because I am going for the full package along with the small lathe that mounts on the table.

I will probably place the order tonight.

Regards,

Bob.

[Bob RodgersonParticipant @bobrodgerson97362]

MetalHacker (Andries) asks,

"

"Wasn't that the subject of some recent articles in HSM? I recognise the photographs"!

You are absolutely correct Adries. I penned that article and a couple of others that appeared in HSM. I also wrote a whole series of workshop articles for the motorcycle magazine "Real Classic".

I think if you do a search on Google of Bob Rodgerson & Humber some of my very early stuff will come up.

Regards,

Bob.

[Anonymous]

Bob,

A word of caution. I thought long and hard about the add-on lathe. It was in the mix, out of the mix, back in, and finally out. In retrospect I am glad that I didn't buy it. Ultimately it's a rather expensive mini-lathe. I asked the question as to whether it would be happy turning stainless steel, and got a non-commital reply, which I took to mean not really. The screwcutting is quite clever, but nevertheless a substantial compromise. For short work it is better to mount the work in the spindle and use the mill axes to drive the tooling.

Of course the usefulness of the bolt-on lathe may depend upon other equipment that is available. I find that a manual lathe with capstan and a hydraulic copy unit, and a repetition lathe are far more versatile.

Generally Tormach read the market pretty well, but my personal feeling is that the add-on lathe wasn't one of their better ideas.

Regards,

Andrew

PS: I did buy the 8" 4th axis rotary table and it has proved invaluable. Oh, and buy more spindle tooling than you think you'll need.

[Bob RodgersonParticipant @bobrodgerson97362]

Hi Andrew,

the lathe attachment will be reserved for very light work but I wanted a smaller bench top lathe anyway so I will still go with it. I have also ordered the 8" rotary as a 4th Axis. Tooling I have ordered the starter tooling set as well as the CNC operators sets there should be plenty of holders to get on with. nI have two mills in the workshop right now so I have a good selection of tools.

Thanks for the advice,

Regards,

Bob

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Out of curiosity, I just had a look at the Tormach site, and was interested to see that they are about to produce a Slant Bed Lathe. This is an excellent concept, much discussed in the early days of Ergonomics … I'm looking forward to seeing what they produce.

MichaelG.

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

I have seen the software for this new lathe and can't say much other than it's awesome, makes a Fanuc look like a mickey mouse setup.

Only problem is it only comes with the lathe

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by John Stevenson on 02/04/2014 22:00:10:

… Only problem is it only comes with the lathe

.

Which is looking raher pricey

Methinks a decent win on the Premium Bonds is required.

MichaelG.

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Compared to what ?

IMHO no one has made a decent small CNC lathe that doesn't have an industrial price tag.

Probably the nearest is the XYZ Turn at £22,000

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by John Stevenson on 02/04/2014 22:34:14:

Compared to what ?

.

Available funds.

Pricey, not Expensive

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Loads of slant bed cnc lathes around surely? Seen small ones from Boxford, Denford, larger emco, lots of other industrial machines.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Sorry I mentioned it.

MichaelG.

[Bob RodgersonParticipant @bobrodgerson97362]

Oh well That's it, the order is in. A hefty chunk of readies will disappear from the bank balance in a few days. Once the stuff arrives I will get some pictures as I build it up in the workshop and hopefully some video of it in use.

[Author]

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