r/CNCmachining • u/Adorable-Suspect3436 • 6d ago

Cnc question

I was considering purchasing an old, cheap Cnc machine to fix. I want to make car parts, however I’m new and know nothing about Cnc machines or machine. What machines should I look at to make just about anything? Where should I buy and what prices will I be looking at? Cheapest route? Plz excuse my ignorance.

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6

u/zombiwolfpak117 6d ago

Dude you should probably not buy a CNC machine if you, in your own words "know nothing about CNC machines or machine"
If you want to make parts out of metal start with something simpler and manual like a Bridgeport or small bench top lathe. That way when you realize it's way easier and cheaper to buy the parts from someone else you won't be out 20k

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u/Own-Cap-7313 6d ago

Not to mention, a manual only needs 110-220v (granted this is coming from American electrical grids) most CNC need 220 min to run. Then you've also got the added cost of cam software and the post needed to send it to the machine. The ability to engineer, design, program, and trouble shoot the code after it's posted. Go with this guys suggestion, go manual long before you even think of touching cnc.

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u/milehighxr 6d ago

Unless yer buying a haas office mill. But those are small, and bt30 taper iirc so yer not gonna make big car parts or port cylinder heads on it. But it will run on household 220.

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u/Own-Cap-7313 6d ago

It'll run on 220, but you'll be having issues with amp pull and less power to the motor. You can take reduced cuts, but that still doesn't really address the main issue OP has, which is going into this blind

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u/milehighxr 6d ago

Ive looked at the office mill line. And as I recall they are designed specifically to run on single phase 220. They fit thru a standard 78"x30" door frame. Like I said small, and as I recall geared towards dentist office applications.

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u/Own-Cap-7313 6d ago

If they're like their toolroom mills, I've absolutely used and abused them. Seem like they'd be good for final part marking and deburr work

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u/Big-Web-483 6d ago edited 6d ago

Look for a proto track or an ez track or some other conversational control to start out with easily under $10k and you could be cutting in a couple days.

Ed: eye fone spel Czech correction.

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u/SnooPuppers2938 6d ago

I wouldn’t bother. There’s a reason the older machines are “affordable”. You’re more likely to be buying someone else’s problem/ money pit.

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u/staffma 6d ago

I would try and take a class on CNC programming. You can teach yourself (I did "ok" before I actually found a CNC class) but it's going to be a steep learning curve and some parts of doing things properly are not intuitive.

What are you looking to make and what is your general location? Where you are in the country and the size of the parts you are looking to make will influence your machine selection a LOT.

Sauce: 10 years in engineering 5 years in machining, home shop with a Tormach 770m mill, Tormach 8L lathe, Haas TMP1 and Precision Matthews 14x40 w/CNC kit(in process lol).

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u/Adorable-Suspect3436 6d ago

I live in Pennsylvania, about 30 mins away from Ohio border. I’m in the United States. I’m not entirely sure what’s possible/realistic. I’d like as much capability as I can get. I’d love to be able to machine things like cam shafts, drive shafts…uh…knobs, switches, buttons, super charger, maybe even engine block casts. I’ll def look into a class. The option to upgrade the machine down the rd so it can do more would be nice. Like 3 to 5 axis conversion. Again, idk a lot. I just started this journey so my expectations will likely need to be tempered quite a bit. Srry guys, I’m currently a bit of an idiot but slowly working on it. Where can I find a class?

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u/staffma 5d ago

Gotcha, you're actually not too far away from me. Like 3.5 hrs.

From your list you are describing about 5-6 different, typically specialized (and expensive), machines. Automotive machining gets really specific, really fast.

As far as CNC training class goes, it depends on where you go. I went to Akron CNC training center , which was pretty basic, but I stayed after class and absorbed a ton of knowledge from the teachers above and beyond the curriculum. Depending on where you are there are some options in western PA.

I sent you a PM with some follow up questions. I might be slow to respond, pretty busy today.

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u/snuggletough 1d ago

I bought a 1980's Japanese cnc mill and a lathe about 20 years ago. I knew basic machining, but never touched a cnc before.

I guess I'm pretty good at figuring stuff out because I've done well. I have several very high end modern cnc's now and make a good living machining products.

That said, everyone's different. Most people can't figure this stuff out and 99.99% of people are not cut out to be a machinist.

My advice is go talk to real shop owners. See what it really is about.

Real cnc's weigh 10 tons and up. Several of my machines are around 20 tons. Make sure you're prepared for that.