Originally Posted by
jinu117
I have 4th axis... Just don't get to use it much to be honest. (got it thinking I will end up doing some variant of spiral design)
The mill basically has pretty much all options I can think about putting in. It's just tool change is taking too long that's one major reason I would like to move onto something... bigger... won't happen for a while though. (it kind of goes 2 ways... for small run and prototype, this is great but for production, I can't deal with all the noise I am getting throughout garage - the compressor is pretty loud and combined with mill, cold air gun, and vacuum running to suck the chips, it's bothersome even with ear muff on).
Honestly, if I will run production in this small area, I will eventually need scroll compressor which isn't cheap, something at least tormach kind of easiness on tool change, etc. Net cost of something around decent family car. Yeah, easier to outsource for that much money (well even this setup costed economy car cost or maybe tad more in whole).
Sandblaster is something I really went cheap at HF... :) For all the tools we talk about good air compressor in range over $1500-2000 do become requirement unfortunately. (especially cold air gun)
PS) Hmm what do I wear? Nothing other than the EO mask thing. It's sand blast cabinet... :) Since it is cheap even with vacuum on, it leaks small amount out and I do wear mask to make sure I am safe... :)
PPS) If you are interested in getting Sieg SX3 converted mill, now is time. There will be about 20-30% price increase in US for many reasons (one being weak USD) in coming year.