ecdez
Plastic
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2011
- Location
- Newport News, Va
I've been on my own now for 3 years and finally at the end of this year I'll have some money that needs to be spent (for tax purposes). One thing I don't have is a CNC lathe or turning center. I've bought 1 used CNC machine before and it turned out to be a real lemon. Mostly my fault as I didn't do diligent homework on the front end but the seller was a little misleading as well. Since then I've been scared to buy a used CNC. Is it a well founded fear? Should I just bite the bullet and go new?
Best new fit for me seems to be a Haas TL-1, based on size and price. If I can get a used machine, of any brand, for a fraction of the cost should I even consider it? I'm not an electrical engineer but I'm not the average dummy either. Probably slight above the average dummy . I know all machines go down at some point but some are easier to service than others. Is there something to stay away from?
Anyway, requirements are;
Light production work; probably just 5-6 of the same part at a time.
Biggest thing I'd currently like to make is about 7"d x 3" long but most of the other stuff is 2.5"d and under and around 6"-10" long.
Space is an issue in my shop.
I have single phase power but a 15hp rotary PC.
Budget - I'm a 1 man shop and money is tight every week but I have a contract that wraps up soon that will leave me with a few extra to spend. Just enough to ruin my comfy tax filing status.
Any thoughts? Any considerations I left out?
Thanks in advance.
Best new fit for me seems to be a Haas TL-1, based on size and price. If I can get a used machine, of any brand, for a fraction of the cost should I even consider it? I'm not an electrical engineer but I'm not the average dummy either. Probably slight above the average dummy . I know all machines go down at some point but some are easier to service than others. Is there something to stay away from?
Anyway, requirements are;
Light production work; probably just 5-6 of the same part at a time.
Biggest thing I'd currently like to make is about 7"d x 3" long but most of the other stuff is 2.5"d and under and around 6"-10" long.
Space is an issue in my shop.
I have single phase power but a 15hp rotary PC.
Budget - I'm a 1 man shop and money is tight every week but I have a contract that wraps up soon that will leave me with a few extra to spend. Just enough to ruin my comfy tax filing status.
Any thoughts? Any considerations I left out?
Thanks in advance.
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