Machine Shop Tool Wish List

Machine Shop
#1

When working on the combat robot I made a few weeks ago I got to thinking about tools I wish we had in the machine shop.

  1. Chop saw / Cold cut saw for aluminum
    NYC CNC seems really to really like this saw but it is a bit pricey
    https://smile.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW872-14-Inch-Multi-Cutter-Saw/dp/B0000302QS/
    https://saundersmachineworks.com/collections/all/products/dewalt-dw872-fixture-plate
    The Evolution Miter saw is a lower cost option that should be good too.
    https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0030M2TCC/

  2. DRO on the lathe
    Installing a low cost DRO on the lath would be really useful.
    http://www.grizzly.com/products/36-Remote-Digital-Readout/T26628
    Something designed for our machine would be awesome but I don’t know if we want to sink that much money into the lathe.
    http://www.gtprecision.co.uk/

  3. Fix up the Band Saw
    I have no idea what we would need to to do fix the band saw but the amount of vibration when at aluminum cutting speeds is pretty scary.

What other tools would be useful for the Machine Shop?

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#2

All 3 have been discussed

Evolution saw has been ordered & will be here this week sometime from what I was told.

Lathe DRO has already been approved by the committee, we just need folks to research the two different styles. Some limited research I’ve done suggested that the glass style slides not be used with flood coolant.

We know the bandsaw has issues with the CVT. It’s supposed to be greased every 6 months. I don’t remember were we left on that. We do need to replace the belts.

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#3

Steady rest for the lathe.

Trade the HAAS in for our next CNC mill. I think I’d heard Tormach, but I’m not advocating one way or another. (Only mentioned because it said wish list.)

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#4

I for got to add the Alumin saw, will do so now.

#5

What do you mean “add the aluminum saw”?

#6

A saw designed to cut Aluminum.

For example, the Cold Cut Saw we have is designed to cut Mild Steel, Brass, and thin wall Stainless Steel.

#7

No I understand the concept, but you said add it, what does add it mean? Add to documentation? Add to your amazon order list? etc

I ask because we already ordered the saw, blade and control box and I dont want it to be double ordered.

#8

see Expansion Template Meeting & Input

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#10

Yes. But.
It was a (high speed) wood saw with a (approved by the manufacturer to be used exactly that way) soft metal cutting blade. It scared people, so it got… disposed. (I did offer to buy, but it disappeared from my horizon; no idea what actually happened to it). :frowning:

#11

Forgot to bring this up at the last committee meeting. $288.75 is not a bad price for this.

https://sherline.com/product/1162-deluxe-ww-collet-set/

#12

The problem isn’t with these saws it is people were trying to cut things they shouldn’t making it very dangerous.

Example: trying to cut 1/8th"/125"/3.175‬mm diameter stainless rod. Wood splinters - metals don’t. The rod goes in between the teeth into the gullet and the blade, instead of cutting with the teeth, the rod gets caught in the gullet whipping the ends of the rod up and towards the operator until it shears it.

Tell people don’t do that and they believe “Well if I just lower it slowly I’ll be okay!”

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#13

Fly cutting face mill 6inch or larger.

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#15

To my view, yes. Use and enjoy the new one, whatever it is.
I agree on the DeWalt option, but there were others. But the “Evolution” is the big name at the moment, so I’ll do my best to enjoy it, whatever it is, until it is taken away, for whatever the reason. :slightly_smiling_face:
@Owen_Soccer22 likes his! But then, no idea which one we’ve ordered. His is the EVOSAW380, I think, with 1450 RPM @ no load:

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Edit to add: the one which formerly occupied a similar position was a DeWalt D705, I believe, which did have a 4000RPM no-load speed:

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#16

From what I was told the speed was 1000 rpm. It appears that there are several models.

This will be for aluminum/soft metals, will require training and have a lockout. It will also be interim until an actual aluminum coldsaw can be bought.

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#17

My dream tool for the space would be a CNC lathe.
A basic machine with gang tooling would work great for most applications I think.

Something like the Tormach Slant Pro would be perfect IMO.
https://www.tormach.com/15l-slant-pro-lathe/

I think a Chinese import might work too but that would be a more risky purchase.

#18

Sorry Frank, but I must disagree with you on a few fronts!

Before we even consider future investments, then the DMS needs to first take care of its existing assets. I have already said my piece regarding Stanley-Cribmaster!

If the DMS is to investment in CNC machines, then I do believe that HAAS should be contacted to see what the cost and agreements are (and if they would be willing) to turn the DMS into a HAAS Learning Center!

There is a LOT to learn about setting up and operating CNC lathes…way more so than our current HAAS mill. Much of this is well beyond the average DMS “Hacker”!

If we were to invest in a CNC lathe, then I would recommend a HAAS TL1, which is a transitional conventional - CNC lathe suitable for both prototype and production work

Chinese made equipment should be avoided on all fronts…general junk and a major waste of money!

.

#19

We have a CNC lathe. We are waiting to order the parts once someone can order them for us.

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#20

Machine Shop also has another Sherline Lathe with accessories being donated to us by a Mr. Steve Leeke. This will make teaching the Sherline Lathe class much more efficient since the instructor can now have two machines going on at once. This may knock an hour off that class or students will have more time.

I believe once we get the Sherline CNC lathe up and running Machine Shop plans o buy a Turn-key Sherline CNC Mill, approx. $2900 (likely less as they’ve given us an educational discount in the past of about 10%). This would include the extended 18" bed and 15" extended column (Z-axis) and way covers. This will give us a lot of capability for a very modest investment.

https://sherline.com/product/8540/

3 Likes
#21

I think you drastically underestimate the intelligence and competence of DMS members…

The primary failure mode of the HAAS mill is incorrect offsets, this could be mitigated with automatic probing routines however the controler on the HAAS does not support this. A newer machine, even hobby grade ones would.

The same would be true for lathe. As long as the stock gets probed and the tools are a “fixed” set most of the failure modes would be mitigated.

#22

This is really a cost to capability question. I am sure the HAAS TL1 is a great machine but it looks like its starting price point is $20k for education version. A base model Tormach runs at $13k. Once all the options are added I would expect the delta to get bigger and don’t forget tooling costs.

So the question becomes how much capability would $7000 add to the DMS. From my point of view that money would be better spent on tooling and spares than on a fancier machine.

A Chinese imports cost to capability is worth evaluating. If a Chinese CNC lathe with comparable or slightly worse performance to the Tormach can be had for around $5k or $7k it would definitely be worth considering. I would also like to remind you that the Thunder Lasers are direct imports from a Chinese manufacture and have turned out great. Getting a tool directly from asia would definitely be a risk but one work evaluating and not dismissing out of hand.

All that said the sherline will be wonderful starter machine to let us dip our toes into CNC lathe work. I am super excited to see it up and running!!