To Tormac or not
Wow thanks again for all the good information.
A few people have told the same thing about Sprutcam Mickey_D, I have a little bit of experience with computers a few years back I took some programing courses at a local college. I am currently teaching my self Solid Works.
I am a retired army nurse that has always been fascinated with machining and making things out of metal. I remember watching my father, mother and grand father making all these marvelous things out of a block of iron. I am retired now, the kids are on there own, well for the most part, so to get out of the house I took a few machine shop courses at a local vocational college, I purchased a Birmingham lathe from Harbor Freight (got it for cheap and got my money worth) so this time I am going to be a bit less impulsive and get as much information as possible before I buy anything.
I am not really looking at starting a career as machinist and the floor space in my shop is very limited.
Thy teach Master Cam at the Vocational College where I took basic turning and basic milling courses, does any one know if Master Cam works well with the Tormach Mill?
I agree with dkmc and macona, there seems to be a lot of greats deals out there in the used market, but I do not have the experience required to know if I am looking at a peace of junk or a sweet deal so that is why I am leaning toward something new.
The tool changing thing is an other point that has been brought up seams like one is pretty much stuck buying Tormach tooling (TTS) for this machine or use the R8 tools holders, it would be nice if one would have more than one source for tooling.
An other point is that Tormack is an American company I am not so sure where the machines are actually assembled and parts produced but that is a plus for me.
That having been said if anyone knows where I can pickup a Hass Mini Mill 2 with tool changer, 4th and 5ft axis options for around $15,000 please let me know I will be eternally grateful.
Please fell free to add to this discussion I plan to purchases something either in December or January any information will be helpful.