Hell yeah that’s “pretty good” holy shit I’d be so damn happy to have that good of quality and accuracy, the rest of that could easily be made perfect with a super light skim pass with a 6-8 flute end mill. I loved watching this as I have recently got into the micro machining hobby and currently have a really nice sherline 17” lathe with milling column but want to eventually save up for a 8 14-18” axis sherline CNC mill, but I’m not sure if I’d be better off buying a larger chinéese one and getting it running well then and steppers to it myself just so I have a larger work area, but I’m not sure. I know sherline and Taig make amazing quality machines but their largest is still not very large as well as being several thousand dollars! What would you recommend?
Thanks for the kind words. If you have the means, I'd consider going the DIY route. Make a frame out of cement or epoxy granite, use linear rails and ballscrews, and one of those green aliexpress spindles. I'm working on a design for one now, it's on my channel if you want to check it out. The Taig is a good machine, but I find I run into the Y travel limit a lot.
Its hard to say for sure, but it does seem the cuts are a bit quieter with the upgraded frame. I also filled it with epoxy granite. The finish quality seems about the same as the stock frame though. Maybe if the part was taller and the Z was at the top of its travel during the cuts, there might be a more noticeable difference in cut quality there. The biggest benefit IMO is it allows full access to the full axes travels, which was not possible with the stock frame (unless you modified it a bit how I show in another video).
I want to amend my statement. I just made two more of this same part and I ran it at 100IPM with full cutter engagement. It ran extremely well. The noise was very smooth. Cut quality was great. I don't think there is any chance the stock frame would have been able to handle it, without pivoting out of tram and/or shaking a lot.
How would you say the noise is on this machine compared to a belt grinder? I've found a low grit belt grinder on steel is borderline too noisy for my loft, so I'm nervous about finding a sound solution before I purchase.
Hi, I'd say the noise from the mill itself is less. Especially if you lower the RPM's and federate, you can make it pretty quiet. The most noise actually comes from the compressor cycling on and off to blow the chips.
To follow up on this, I ran the mill today for some small parts. Next to the mill is a Kalamazoo 1" belt sander. The belt sander (only turned on, not sanding anything) is definitely louder than the mill. When the belt sander is sanding metal, its much louder.
It's been great. I think I've had it since 2019 or 2020, I forget. Zero problems. I only use the mill for a project once a month or so though, so not heavy usage. I also bought a slower RPM higher torque version for my lathe, but haven't installed it yet. That is CSM3000 model number. The one on the mill is CSM1000.
It was too difficult for me to figure it out. Its a consew sewing machine servo motor that has a non-standard control compared to typical hobby cnc spindle motors.
@@TheHelicapt You can buy the Taig complete with software and motors, but it's a higher price. If you go that route, it's ready to run, and comes with Mach 3. The other option is to get the Taig "CNC Ready". You save about 1,500 USD, but you have to supply your own stepper/servo motors, motion controller, software, etc. If you go this second route, you will definitely save money, but you have to figure it all out yourself.
@@TheHelicapt Its ok, but if you want to cut aggressively it needs some upgrades. Mine has a sewing machine motor, cogged belt drive, and an aftermarket frame. I added all of them. The stock setup works ok, but for smaller work and lighter cuts. There is not really much else available though new. The other CNC machines in this price range are more "router types".
Just found your channel and Subscribed. Very nice work
Thanks man! The newer videos get a bit better. Making videos is harder than machining! ha ha.
That little mill does a great job! The increase in speed sure helped smooth things out.
Hell yeah that’s “pretty good” holy shit I’d be so damn happy to have that good of quality and accuracy, the rest of that could easily be made perfect with a super light skim pass with a 6-8 flute end mill. I loved watching this as I have recently got into the micro machining hobby and currently have a really nice sherline 17” lathe with milling column but want to eventually save up for a 8 14-18” axis sherline CNC mill, but I’m not sure if I’d be better off buying a larger chinéese one and getting it running well then and steppers to it myself just so I have a larger work area, but I’m not sure. I know sherline and Taig make amazing quality machines but their largest is still not very large as well as being several thousand dollars! What would you recommend?
Thanks for the kind words. If you have the means, I'd consider going the DIY route. Make a frame out of cement or epoxy granite, use linear rails and ballscrews, and one of those green aliexpress spindles. I'm working on a design for one now, it's on my channel if you want to check it out. The Taig is a good machine, but I find I run into the Y travel limit a lot.
Great bud. Can you pop a link up to the fixture plate and vice please? 🙏
saundersmachineworks.com/products/universal-aluminum-fixture-tooling-plate?variant=39379872186470 I got the 20x6" size.
The low profile vise is from Saunders also. The bigger vise is a cheap grinding vise from amazon/ebay. They are all the same.
Impressive!
Very nice sounding cuts. How much difference with the upgraded frame?
Its hard to say for sure, but it does seem the cuts are a bit quieter with the upgraded frame. I also filled it with epoxy granite. The finish quality seems about the same as the stock frame though. Maybe if the part was taller and the Z was at the top of its travel during the cuts, there might be a more noticeable difference in cut quality there. The biggest benefit IMO is it allows full access to the full axes travels, which was not possible with the stock frame (unless you modified it a bit how I show in another video).
I want to amend my statement. I just made two more of this same part and I ran it at 100IPM with full cutter engagement. It ran extremely well. The noise was very smooth. Cut quality was great. I don't think there is any chance the stock frame would have been able to handle it, without pivoting out of tram and/or shaking a lot.
Great content Nick. Is the headstock a stock, Taig unit?
Thanks. The headstock is the stock ER16, yes. The motor is an aftermarket Consew CSM500, and the pulley and belt is aftermarket.
How would you say the noise is on this machine compared to a belt grinder? I've found a low grit belt grinder on steel is borderline too noisy for my loft, so I'm nervous about finding a sound solution before I purchase.
Hi, I'd say the noise from the mill itself is less. Especially if you lower the RPM's and federate, you can make it pretty quiet. The most noise actually comes from the compressor cycling on and off to blow the chips.
@@nickp4793 Thanks so much for the info Nick!
To follow up on this, I ran the mill today for some small parts. Next to the mill is a Kalamazoo 1" belt sander. The belt sander (only turned on, not sanding anything) is definitely louder than the mill. When the belt sander is sanding metal, its much louder.
Very nice! What controller software are you using?
UCCNC, with a skin applied someone in the UCCNC FB group made.
Hey, I saw your amazon review on that consew motor! How is the motor?
Was also thinking about using that for my printnc mill project
It's been great. I think I've had it since 2019 or 2020, I forget. Zero problems. I only use the mill for a project once a month or so though, so not heavy usage. I also bought a slower RPM higher torque version for my lathe, but haven't installed it yet. That is CSM3000 model number. The one on the mill is CSM1000.
Nice man! Are the steppers the nema 23?
Yes, nema 23 driven by a Gecko 540, and 350W 48V switching PS. The Gecko 540 is rock solid!
Why was the spindle control not automated??
It was too difficult for me to figure it out. Its a consew sewing machine servo motor that has a non-standard control compared to typical hobby cnc spindle motors.
Is this the 2019 micro mill?
It's the 5019 model. (Same as 2019 except 5019 has ballscrews, while 2019 has V-thread leadscrews).
What program are you using here ?
UCCNC for the controller. Fusion360 for the CAM. Onshape for the CAD.
@@nickp4793
Would I need to setup UCCNC or does Taig come with the controller ready to go. I’m new to this
@@TheHelicapt You can buy the Taig complete with software and motors, but it's a higher price. If you go that route, it's ready to run, and comes with Mach 3. The other option is to get the Taig "CNC Ready". You save about 1,500 USD, but you have to supply your own stepper/servo motors, motion controller, software, etc. If you go this second route, you will definitely save money, but you have to figure it all out yourself.
@@nickp4793
Ahhh got it. Thanks a lot. How are you liking the Taig so far? I might buy this one as I can’t afford a Tormach 440
@@TheHelicapt Its ok, but if you want to cut aggressively it needs some upgrades. Mine has a sewing machine motor, cogged belt drive, and an aftermarket frame. I added all of them. The stock setup works ok, but for smaller work and lighter cuts. There is not really much else available though new. The other CNC machines in this price range are more "router types".