I have been keeping an eye open for small VMCs to see what is floating around the market. This is something that will have to fit under my garage door, and I am currently limited to a 50-amp breaker. So, the machines I've been looking at have been 10HP and under. In the past, I've read a number of posts in which people wish they had gotten a machine with bigger travels. Is this a problem that is often encountered? I will mainly be making small parts out of aluminum. The biggest part I plan to make is around 10 x 2.5 x .75. I have no desire to try and do big production runs or grow into a competitive job shop. Part of me thinks that a small machine would help prevent me from becoming too "ambitious" (always looking for bigger/better).
Anyway, I guess I'm just wondering how small is TOO small. Would a 30-taper machine with 12-X, 10-Y, and 12-Z only be good for the smallest of parts? The pieces that I'm currently making manually are a little over 2.5" long. Most parts that I forsee myself making are no more than 4" in length. I like the idea of a small machine that doesn't take up much space and won't require me to get a new 200-amp service drop, but I also don't want to end up cornering myself with a machine that limits my capabilities. I know that things like box ways and 20HP spindles are great for removing material in a hurry, but I have no plans to set records for material removal. I've been seeing some Kitamura machines that look rather appealing. Has anyone in a similar situation found that a small VMC quickly turned into a significant limitation?
Anyway, I guess I'm just wondering how small is TOO small. Would a 30-taper machine with 12-X, 10-Y, and 12-Z only be good for the smallest of parts? The pieces that I'm currently making manually are a little over 2.5" long. Most parts that I forsee myself making are no more than 4" in length. I like the idea of a small machine that doesn't take up much space and won't require me to get a new 200-amp service drop, but I also don't want to end up cornering myself with a machine that limits my capabilities. I know that things like box ways and 20HP spindles are great for removing material in a hurry, but I have no plans to set records for material removal. I've been seeing some Kitamura machines that look rather appealing. Has anyone in a similar situation found that a small VMC quickly turned into a significant limitation?