Re: Switches Anyone?

["Bob La Londe" <none@xxxxxxxxxx>]

"ABLE1" <nospamhere@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:vsdat.108032$JR.11741@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> "Bob La Londe" <none@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:SB3at.502415$Hg7.160053@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>
>>> I've got custromers with CNC machines so big that you can walk around
>>> inside them but they cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. My customer
>>> says he has one thats so expensive the mfg doesn't even sell it. You can
>>> only lease it. Every time I go there and go into the shop, I just stand
>>> there and stare at the damn things while they're going though all their
>>> steps. Amazing!
>>
>> I don't have anything that big.  My first machine only weighs about a
>> hundred pounds and
>> sets in an aluminum cabinet on a work bench.  I think the base machine
>> cost about $1700, and I put another 13-1600 in it to get how it is today.
>> I really need to retire it, but it makes saleable parts.  I have a couple
>> other machines in that same class give or take.  My biggest machine is
>> only about 2 tons with a 5HP spindle and a work envelope of 14"x24"x18"
>> apx.
>>
>> To be honest I enjoy machining and metalworking so much if I could make
>> the transition easily I would quit contracting this evening.  I already
>> manufacture a few custom parts, and developed a little bit of a quiet
>> reputation in a certain niche market.  In fact there are people
>> manufacturing products all the way around the world using parts I made
>> for them on my "toy" CNC machines.  Sweden, Mexico, UK, Australia, etc...
>>
>> I also really enjoy building and retrofitting machines.  I probably waste
>> to much time turning junk machines into good machines, but I like it.
>>
>> If you would believe it, I paid $500 for my biggest machine, and I have
>> maybe $1500 more into it including the computer.  Most of the expense has
>> been little stuff.  It adds up.  I bought it to retrofit, and I have it
>> running with Mach 3 under Windows XP.  I'm debating switching it over to
>> LinuxCNC.  It cooks along pretty good at 250 inches per minute.  Not to
>> bad when you figure the table and saddle are about 1000 pounds.  I could
>> run it faster, but that was what the original manufacturer had it running
>> at and I don't want to embarrass them.  LOL.
>>
>> Now, my brother in-law is a manager for a company that has some big
>> machines.  They are cranking out jet engine and aircraft parts with
>> machines that wouldn't even fit in my shop.  (my shop is 50'x60'x16')
>>
>> Anyway, I have a CNC router with 12"x14"x3" apx envelope that is perfect
>> for making custom control panels.  If its dedicated and not likely to
>> change I engrave everything after I am done doing all the cutouts.
>> Sunday I will probably spend the day in the shop cutting some molds.
>> Tomorrow I have to go finish an alarm I have been putting off all week.
>>
>
>
> Bob,
>
> I would be interested in talking about what you can and can't make on your
> CNC machines as well as cost/quantity, etc.  I use to have your email
> address but with a major computer issue late last year I am now rebuilding
> my contact list.  How can we reconnect with out posting to the universe so
> to speak??
>
> TIA
>
> Les


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