Prototyper
Aluminum
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2006
- Location
- Kalispell, MT
Hi,
I just came across an opportunity to buy a 2004 TM1 in excellent condition, and I think I just might do it. I have not gone to look at the machine yet (it is an hour drive), but from talking to the guy selling it, and pictures, it looks great. I have a few things to work out first.
Besides getting financial arrangements (the wife) in place, I am most interested in determining if I can fit it through my 7' garage door. Has anyone actually done this, and if so, what was involved? If someone has a TM1 sitting nearby, would you be willing to take a tape measure and see what the absolute highest point on the machine is, that is not readily removable? I assume I would have to pull the braking resistor, possibly the Z-axis servo motor, possibly the flexible conduit to the Z, etc. From what I have found through searching on this subject, is that is will be a serious squeeze. I really don't want to have to tear into the trim around the door opening, as it is sided and has aluminum clad trim, but if that's what it takes to have a Haas in my garage!....
I run a small business from my home, specializing in custom design, fabrication, and machining. I have a 3-axis knee mill that I rebuilt, and retrofitted with Mach 3 based controls. This has been an awesome project as I have learned a LOT about electronics, and having the mill has giving me the opportunity to cut my teeth in CNC.
I am ready to graduate to a real machine, and concentrate my business around that capability. My main goal is to develop a line of accessories for consumer electronics. This will involve prototyping parts, and ultimately, machining basic injection molds. Is it realistic to assume that I will be able to do quality mold machining in steel on a TM1. I have no misconceptions about the machine being a full blown machining center. I am not trying to be profitable at mold making, so if it is slow, but precise and effective, I will be completely happy.
The TM1 I am looking at is well equipped, and has very low hours on it. It has a tool changer, rigid tapping, coolant, extended chip shields, comes with 20 tools, many of them ER16 and 32 (with collets), two Parlec vises, a seat of 2009 Gibbs 2.5D, etc. The seller was in a similar situation, where he and a friend started a business from their garage, and kept their day jobs. They were trying to be a competitive job shop, and just finally decided they want to get out of it. As a result, the machine has been well cared for, and lightly used.
For those in the know, does all this for under $20,000 seem like a good deal? To me it does, but I have not been closely watching the prices on these specific machines, and this opportunity just came up. I would really appreciate any insight people have to offer. I am sure I will be back with more questions shortly.
Thanks in advance,
Jon
I just came across an opportunity to buy a 2004 TM1 in excellent condition, and I think I just might do it. I have not gone to look at the machine yet (it is an hour drive), but from talking to the guy selling it, and pictures, it looks great. I have a few things to work out first.
Besides getting financial arrangements (the wife) in place, I am most interested in determining if I can fit it through my 7' garage door. Has anyone actually done this, and if so, what was involved? If someone has a TM1 sitting nearby, would you be willing to take a tape measure and see what the absolute highest point on the machine is, that is not readily removable? I assume I would have to pull the braking resistor, possibly the Z-axis servo motor, possibly the flexible conduit to the Z, etc. From what I have found through searching on this subject, is that is will be a serious squeeze. I really don't want to have to tear into the trim around the door opening, as it is sided and has aluminum clad trim, but if that's what it takes to have a Haas in my garage!....
I run a small business from my home, specializing in custom design, fabrication, and machining. I have a 3-axis knee mill that I rebuilt, and retrofitted with Mach 3 based controls. This has been an awesome project as I have learned a LOT about electronics, and having the mill has giving me the opportunity to cut my teeth in CNC.
I am ready to graduate to a real machine, and concentrate my business around that capability. My main goal is to develop a line of accessories for consumer electronics. This will involve prototyping parts, and ultimately, machining basic injection molds. Is it realistic to assume that I will be able to do quality mold machining in steel on a TM1. I have no misconceptions about the machine being a full blown machining center. I am not trying to be profitable at mold making, so if it is slow, but precise and effective, I will be completely happy.
The TM1 I am looking at is well equipped, and has very low hours on it. It has a tool changer, rigid tapping, coolant, extended chip shields, comes with 20 tools, many of them ER16 and 32 (with collets), two Parlec vises, a seat of 2009 Gibbs 2.5D, etc. The seller was in a similar situation, where he and a friend started a business from their garage, and kept their day jobs. They were trying to be a competitive job shop, and just finally decided they want to get out of it. As a result, the machine has been well cared for, and lightly used.
For those in the know, does all this for under $20,000 seem like a good deal? To me it does, but I have not been closely watching the prices on these specific machines, and this opportunity just came up. I would really appreciate any insight people have to offer. I am sure I will be back with more questions shortly.
Thanks in advance,
Jon