Cnc mill endeavor

AHall

AHall

Hobbyist
Has anyone bought a Cnc mill for learning on and making parts? I was interested in buying something that could maybe someday allow me enough work to become self employed. I've been looking at Haas vertical machines.

This could be a fun hobby or a nice career path. I would imagine if a guy could find some niche parts the machine would eventually pay for itself and maybe pay the bills as well.

Any advice or experiences are appreciated.
 
With the right programming software you can start out making simple parts or set up a simple fixture to mill heads and exhaust flanges.
 
This was my thoughts. I know of a couple "success stories" of a guy that started with a machine in his garage. Had a great idea for something that no one was supplying at the time. Fast forward a couple years. Now employs over 10 people and has over 10 paid for machines.

I'm certain this is a rarity, but I think it could be an interesting trade to gain for supplemental income. Small flanges, plates, simpler gun parts, etc.
 
Do you know anyone in the business that would sub out small jobs to you? That's the only way I see justifying such a large investment.
 
I do know someone. I was planning on bringing that up at a meeting tomorrow. I see some smaller xyz machines for 35k new. And some larger used ones for under 25k.
 
AHall said:
Has anyone bought a Cnc mill for learning on and making parts? I was interested in buying something that could maybe someday allow me enough work to become self employed. I've been looking at Haas vertical machines.

This could be a fun hobby or a nice career path. I would imagine if a guy could find some niche parts the machine would eventually pay for itself and maybe pay the bills as well.

Any advice or experiences are appreciated.
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Go for it. I did 8 years ago. Went out on my own and never looked back. I started in a 1 car garage. Now there are 12 of us. As far as machines go, Haas is a great machine to learn on. It uses a Fanuc based control that's user friendly and fairly easy to learn. Haas also has a great website for g code programming.

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Juiced_UP said:
Go for it. I did 8 years ago. Went out on my own and never looked back. I started in a 1 car garage. Now there are 12 of us. As far as machines go, Haas is a great machine to learn on. It uses a Fanuc based control that's user friendly and fairly easy to learn. Haas also has a great website for g code programming.

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Do you need any specific education for the programming or is it something that will just take direction and practice? Potentially a guy could hire a third party to do this portion until he was competent.
 
When I learned to program it took me quite awhile. I had some good help too. When ever I would get stumped I at least had a buddy to get me pointed back in the right direction.
The worst part for me was learning each G code. Depending on what type of work you are interested in, the amount of codes are minimal. Just be prepared for some long nights. Lol
Like I said Haas has a great website and tech support when it comes to learning the programming . As far as using a 3rd party, I never have personally.



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In your experience would it be smarter to buy a good older used machine or a new machine for more with a warranty or better financing options. I believe it would be wise to create a demand for a product you intend to make before you make the initial investment in the equipment.
 
The best "starter" machine i have worked with would be a TRAK FHM7. They're big enough to do a head on, but small enough not to break the budget. Very easy programming and they will do a LOT!
 
I would think the programming wouldn't be the bad part, the knowledge of feeds, speeds, and cutter material would be a challenge.
 
I had aspirations of learning on a CNC and then a buddy in the business brought up a good point: it is easy to crash and trash a mill in a hurry if you screw the code up a ton. That kind of strayed me away.
 
Used to be people learned how to machine first, then learned how to program. I've noticed that most seem to skip the first stage nowadays. Not judging, just stating my observation. Buy a machine to cut the material you plan on working with. All are not equal.
 
I agree an experienced machinist would be more ideal for getting an advanced machine. Seems not to be for the faint of heart.
 
zfaylor said:
I had aspirations of learning on a CNC and then a buddy in the business brought up a good point: it is easy to crash and trash a mill in a hurry if you screw the code up a ton. That kind of strayed me away.
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That is why you stand there, turn down feed rate to 10% and watch
first part. The hardest part in programming is a radius. Most shops
use Master Cam or a similar program.
 
I did some engine machining in high school and I wish I had been able to stick with it.
 
RonA said:
Used to be people learned how to machine first, then learned how to program. I've noticed that most seem to skip the first stage nowadays. Not judging, just stating my observation. Buy a machine to cut the material you plan on working with. All are not equal.
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I have been trying to learn as much as possible. It's really hard to find someone to teach you for free labor
 
Learned a lot of info today. Typical cost for machine and tooling, unexpected expenses, software, to expect to work 7 days a week 18 hours a day, etc. Also learned my father in law was a machinist for 18 years and taught classes at the local college in the cad/cam programs. His buddy still runs the manufacturing dept so we're gonna go down later this week to go through the Cnc machines. Also learn mechanical mills and lathes over a couple evenings. A guy falls into luck every now and again!
 
Mazak and Haas machines are great to work with. G codes and M codes are pretty simple to understand buy a basic code book and read it that's what helped me the most. Feeds and speeds are usually supplied by the tooling reps they will be your best friend when it comes to getting your money out of an insert or tool. Iscar, Widia, Kennametal, Mitsubishi are all good quality products.
 
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