Hobby CNC mill

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Dale Allen

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Oct 27, 2012
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Anyone here get involved in any of the small hobby sized CNC mini milling machines?
I got one of the 2418 models that is a DIY set. Kinda like a big boy's erector set. It tried my patience but I got it together. Only has a 7" x 4" working area and the depth is about 1.5". I have wanted for years to better understand the CNC control of machines and I figured this would be a less expensive way to learn. Later I can move to a bigger machine that can do more serious stuff.
 
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mredburn

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Taig, Sherline and Grizzly all have cnc table top machines. If you can build your own controller as well it will save a lot of money. I used my Taig to build a larger bench top machine that has an 8 x 18 x 6 high work area.
 

BRobbins629

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I started with a 4" x4" working area but also had rotary. Had fun for years before I upgraded to 6" x 16". Many things can be done in a small area and a great way to figure out how big you may wish to go later.
 

Dale Allen

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Massillon, OH
Well, this isn't a 'typical' milling machine.
It is about 12" square and 10" tall.
This weekend will be the test to see if I wasted my money!:eek:
The X/Y travel is just like the cheap laser I have so I'm thinking maybe eventually a system for pen blanks or other cylinders is possible.
 

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Dale Allen

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Massillon, OH
Starting to get this thing figured out. A lot more to learn.
I'll need some different cutting bits for sure.
The top cut was done in 2 passes to see how well it repeated the path and to cut just a little deeper. Too deep though as it was chipping out some of the wood in between the channels.
 

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