What machines are you using? (CNC, lathes, mills, 3-in-1 machines?)

[Qbranch]

i do a lot of the machining (everything non-sheet-metal) for our team.

we (my work) have a bridgeport boss 1, and believe me its no problem. extremely rigid CNC, very accurate, stepper motors hard to beat.

have an '04 Hurco VM-2... which i'd recommend over the haas only on the point of value, you pay less for the same machine with hurco, and theyre designed/serviced/based right here in indianapolis.

for manual stuff we have a generic 7" jaw enco engine lathe, and a bridgeport-type enco generic knee mill.

for a vm1, 26"x14"x18" work envelope, you can expect to pay $35,900. if you buy used, just make sure you know exactly what they've been doing with it, example, graphite milling ruins ballscrews, inconel milling tears up spindle cartriges, etc.

honestly your machines are all just fine, i don't think you need to get anything new unless something breaks... or if you come in to some money and don't know what to do with it. remember after buying a new or even a used machine you still have to tool it, and depending on how crazy you get that can be in the mid to upper thousands of dollars, or more.... one added bonus is hurco offers a nice set of collet holders, endmill holders, keyless chuck holders, pullstuds, for just $300, a very very low price for what you get.

PM me or post with any questions you might have. i'm a g-code programmer too if you need help there.

-Q

Originally Posted by MrB

OK, need some help. Please :-)



We have been trying to keep our robotics/metal/automotive shop running on a couple of southbend lathes(1950s/60s?), a bridgeport mill(1986), and a Bridgeport Series 1 BOSS 5 CNC (with tape reader :-), circa 1977)



Everything works, but I'm trying to look toward the future and plan some replacements, or add new machines if the old stuff keeps chugging along.



I would like to know what NEW equipment people would buy for a robotics shop/ high school metal shop. The room is actually an automotive shop, but all metal fabrication is done in that room.



Anyone work with or recommend any of the Smithy, Shoptask, ENCO 3-in-1 machines as a replacement for a southbend lathe?



What would you recommend for a USED or NEW CNC machine?



Thanks in advance!!!

[[527]phil]

Well my team only has 2 drill presses, a band saw and a grinder. But in my personal arsenal I have 2 drill presses (one tabletop craftsman, and a 5 foot tall South bend) a south bend lathe, a MAX nc 3 axis CNC mill with a rotary table. as well as a MIG welder. Between the tools at the robotics shop, and my personal machines we've been able to make anything we need. I'd say keep the south bend lathes, south bend machines were the Cadillacs of the machining industry when they came out. The lathe I have now was one of the original lathes my uncle had in his machine shop way back in the day. I don't know about the Bridgeport mill, because I've never used one. however my uncle told me many storied about those CNC machines with the Tape Readers , I think those machines scarred him for life.

About the CNC machines, their not always the way to go. I would not recommend that little CNC mill i have to anyone, it's too picky and doesn't work properly a lot of the time. The only brand that i would recommend to anyone would have to be HAAS, I've used some of their machines and i don't have any complaints; except for the fact that the coolant hoses on their CNC lathes tend to burst when you reposition them, not a very good feeling situation

From my experience in FIRST (Last year of HS already ) is that all you really need is a hacksaw, a handrill, and a strage shaped piece of heavy wood to make a robot that can win. So as of now your wayy ahead of the game.

[Mark McLeod]

Originally Posted by [527]phil

But in my personal arsenal I have 2 drill presses (one tabletop craftsman, and a 5 foot tall South bend) a south bend lathe, a MAX nc 3 axis CNC mill with a rotary table. as well as a MIG welder.

I'm working at your house this season!

[Cory]

We have a Jet 9x42 knee mill, with DRO (currently only on the x-axis).

Jet 13x40 lathe (trying to find some money to put a DRO on it )

Various drill presses, a bandsaw, grinders, etc.

[nobrakes8]

Hardinge Lathe... but they might be too pricey (Hardinge is like the mercedes of lathes..).. If you already have a welder and some power tools... maybe a belt sander, vertical or horizontal band saws would be helpful..

But if you already have that stuff, I'd add another lathe or miller since they get backed up worse and longer than most other tools.