Hi All,
I'm starting to look seriously into starting to build up part of my garage as my own prototyping shop. I work during the day as an engineer, and have experience with CAM/CNC, and want to continue to develop the skills. I'm extremely limited by my garage ceiling height of about 99", which effectively puts some machines like the Haas minimill and toolroom mills too tall at their max Z travel.
I've been doing a lot of digging, and read through what seems to be an oft-referenced thread about a similar scenario (https://www.practicalmachinist.com/...-footprint-vmc-cnc-lathe-home-garages-352843/) and had come to the conclusion that Fadal was the way to go. Fortunately nearly all of the fadals are around 95" Max vertical height, which fits perfectly. I've been looking at what's out there and finding VMC15s and 2016Ls around the 10k mark. In my mind, I'd like to have one with linear ways, as I'd prefer speed and precision (and future maintenance options) over the rigidity of the boxed ways, given the cost to repair.
The one area where I'd like some input is with regards to what may initially seem a stupid question. I work at a startup that was very small to start, and has had a Tormach 770 as our in house CNC. All we ever machine is Aluminum and plastics for now. When we move to our new location in a few months, we're likely going to upgrade to a new VMC. This has potentially given me the opportunity to get it for very cheap, including all of the TTS tooling.
So as it stands, I have two options I'm considering: The first is to take the Tormach, with known history, 20 tool holders, a haimer 3D taster, electronic tool setter, ATS and enclosure for ~5k, and I can basically start immediately going. This would let me continue to work on my own skills and start making prototypes, despite the limitations of the machine.
The second option is to look to get one of the smaller linear rail Fadals (VMC15, 2016L), and basically take it all apart, go over it, and start building up the tooling. Assuming the prices I'm seeing are accurate, I'll end up closer to 12.5k to 15k, and while it will take a while, I would end up with a much more capable machine.
So therein lies my question: Given the opportunity, do I opt to get the Tormach and use it for a while, then sell it later given their lack of general depreciation when I'm reaching the limit of the machine? Or just forgo it entirely and keep on saving more and looking for a good deal on a Fadal.
As a secondary question, In Speedie's overview of the Fadal models, the 2016L wasn't addressed. Aside from the small travel, is there any reason to avoid them? I've seen them going for 5k-8k fairly routinely.
I know this is probably a straightforward answer to just get the Fadal, but figured I'd offer it up to y'all for some input and advice.
thanks!
I'm starting to look seriously into starting to build up part of my garage as my own prototyping shop. I work during the day as an engineer, and have experience with CAM/CNC, and want to continue to develop the skills. I'm extremely limited by my garage ceiling height of about 99", which effectively puts some machines like the Haas minimill and toolroom mills too tall at their max Z travel.
I've been doing a lot of digging, and read through what seems to be an oft-referenced thread about a similar scenario (https://www.practicalmachinist.com/...-footprint-vmc-cnc-lathe-home-garages-352843/) and had come to the conclusion that Fadal was the way to go. Fortunately nearly all of the fadals are around 95" Max vertical height, which fits perfectly. I've been looking at what's out there and finding VMC15s and 2016Ls around the 10k mark. In my mind, I'd like to have one with linear ways, as I'd prefer speed and precision (and future maintenance options) over the rigidity of the boxed ways, given the cost to repair.
The one area where I'd like some input is with regards to what may initially seem a stupid question. I work at a startup that was very small to start, and has had a Tormach 770 as our in house CNC. All we ever machine is Aluminum and plastics for now. When we move to our new location in a few months, we're likely going to upgrade to a new VMC. This has potentially given me the opportunity to get it for very cheap, including all of the TTS tooling.
So as it stands, I have two options I'm considering: The first is to take the Tormach, with known history, 20 tool holders, a haimer 3D taster, electronic tool setter, ATS and enclosure for ~5k, and I can basically start immediately going. This would let me continue to work on my own skills and start making prototypes, despite the limitations of the machine.
The second option is to look to get one of the smaller linear rail Fadals (VMC15, 2016L), and basically take it all apart, go over it, and start building up the tooling. Assuming the prices I'm seeing are accurate, I'll end up closer to 12.5k to 15k, and while it will take a while, I would end up with a much more capable machine.
So therein lies my question: Given the opportunity, do I opt to get the Tormach and use it for a while, then sell it later given their lack of general depreciation when I'm reaching the limit of the machine? Or just forgo it entirely and keep on saving more and looking for a good deal on a Fadal.
As a secondary question, In Speedie's overview of the Fadal models, the 2016L wasn't addressed. Aside from the small travel, is there any reason to avoid them? I've seen them going for 5k-8k fairly routinely.
I know this is probably a straightforward answer to just get the Fadal, but figured I'd offer it up to y'all for some input and advice.
thanks!