john.obrien
Plastic
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2021
- Location
- Waltham, MA
Hi All,
First time poster, so I apologize/feel free to give me a pointer if I am posting this in the wrong part of the forum.
I wanted to get some advice on the best milling machine to buy for a makerspace.
A makerspace is a like a community workshop (more information about what a makerspace is can be found online here What is a Makerspace? Is it a Hackerspace or a Makerspace?).
I am trying to decide between a Tormach and a Haas. Specifically, I am trying to decide between two machines: the Haas Mini Mill EDU, which is listed at $21,995 (assuming that as a makerspace I can purchase the EDU version) and the Tormach 1100MX which is $22,234.0 with the options needed to make it equivalent to the Haas (so with an enclosure, Automatic Oiler Kit, Door Lock Switch Kit, FogBuster Coolant Kit and PathPilot Operator Console).
Given that, it seems to me an easy decision to get the Haas, as my understanding is that it is a much better machine overall. The Haas has 7.5 HP vs 2 HP for the Tormach, though the Haas EDU only goes to 4,000 RPM vs the Tormach 10,000 RPM. The Haas also has a bunch of features that the Tormach doesn't have (such as Safe Run).
But John Saunder's advice on buying a Tormach vs a Haas (Buying a CNC Mill: Tormach VS Haas - NYC CNC) gives me pause: he advises that if you are asking yourself the question, get a Tormach. Also, I am a little worried that inexperienced operators might damage the Haas machine and lead to the need repairs which would be more costly than if I got the Tormach.
What do you think? For a makerspace, is it better to get a Haas Mini Mill EDU or a Tormach 1100 MX?
First time poster, so I apologize/feel free to give me a pointer if I am posting this in the wrong part of the forum.
I wanted to get some advice on the best milling machine to buy for a makerspace.
A makerspace is a like a community workshop (more information about what a makerspace is can be found online here What is a Makerspace? Is it a Hackerspace or a Makerspace?).
I am trying to decide between a Tormach and a Haas. Specifically, I am trying to decide between two machines: the Haas Mini Mill EDU, which is listed at $21,995 (assuming that as a makerspace I can purchase the EDU version) and the Tormach 1100MX which is $22,234.0 with the options needed to make it equivalent to the Haas (so with an enclosure, Automatic Oiler Kit, Door Lock Switch Kit, FogBuster Coolant Kit and PathPilot Operator Console).
Given that, it seems to me an easy decision to get the Haas, as my understanding is that it is a much better machine overall. The Haas has 7.5 HP vs 2 HP for the Tormach, though the Haas EDU only goes to 4,000 RPM vs the Tormach 10,000 RPM. The Haas also has a bunch of features that the Tormach doesn't have (such as Safe Run).
But John Saunder's advice on buying a Tormach vs a Haas (Buying a CNC Mill: Tormach VS Haas - NYC CNC) gives me pause: he advises that if you are asking yourself the question, get a Tormach. Also, I am a little worried that inexperienced operators might damage the Haas machine and lead to the need repairs which would be more costly than if I got the Tormach.
What do you think? For a makerspace, is it better to get a Haas Mini Mill EDU or a Tormach 1100 MX?
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