Yes I have moved into the 21st century and bought a CNC milling machine!
It’s a SIEG KX1 from Arc Euro Trade. Small enough to sit on the worktop and big enough to do most of the jobs I want to do. Here it is just unpacked, comes with operating manual, USB cable and toolbox. The operating programs, supplied as a package with the machine are – ‘Mach3’ CAM and ‘Cut2D’ CAD, both full licences. The self extracting draw bar is 10mm so I will need to buy or make some more 2 morse taper tool holders as my other milling tools are mainly for a 3/8th draw bar.
I need to get up to speed with programming again. As a machinist I used to program, set and operate CNC lathes but this machine has an extra axis! It will be like doing my apprenticeship again!
Here is the first example of what it can do, it’s a supplied program to engrave the ‘SIEG’ logo, I used a piece of aluminium plate using a carbide chamferring cutter, it worked okay but rubbed a little, leaving rough edges. I need to get some proper engraving cutters. But with a clean up it turned out great. It is now stuck on the front of the PC tower case.
More photos, info and projects to follow as soon as I get to grips with Mach3 and Cut2D Cad programs. Shouldn’t take me more than four years ha ha!