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Recent content by Kevin Wilkins

  1. Kevin Wilkins

    Decent Chinese machines - which?

    Try these: Optimum Maschinen They are made in China but parts and support are available here in Germany. I have a small analog mill and a small lathe from them. Both have given over 10 years of service and when the mill was damaged during a move, they had the needed parts in stock. I don't know...
  2. Kevin Wilkins

    Any TM-1 or 2 owners/operators in Central Virginia?

    Are you thinking about a new or a used machine? I bought a new TM-1 without an enclosure or tool changer back in 2005. It's been running ever since. About 8 years ago I bought a used 2001 Mini Mill with the standard ten tool changer. Both are great machines. I make mostly smaller parts of my...
  3. Kevin Wilkins

    Haas Super Mini Mill 2 tear down and reassembly

    Can you have windows taken out of the building and the machine put in with a crane? That's what I had done with a TM-1 and a Mini Mill. Windows were 6.8m from the parking lot. Carpenters removed the large windows with their frames and reinstalled them after the machines were inside. Was a whole...
  4. Kevin Wilkins

    New Haas Desktop CNC Mill, surely some mistake?

    I think it will matter a lot! If Haas is now just buying OEM China tools and slapping a Haas label on them, this will be a major departure for Haas and I think, a major mistake. I reserve judgement until there is definite evidence or Haas comes out and makes a statement. Machine capabilities...
  5. Kevin Wilkins

    New Haas Desktop CNC Mill, surely some mistake?

    Have you examined one of the Haas machines in person? It will be interesting to hear what Haas says to your comments. If they did actually just buy any old China router and are now selling it as a "Haas" that will quite a step away from their other machines and their customer base.
  6. Kevin Wilkins

    New Haas Desktop CNC Mill, surely some mistake?

    I wonder if simultaneous 3 axis moves will be possible, allowing for 3D milling? I hope so! I think it could be an interesting option for schools and small startups when used in combination with 3d printing for making prototypes and small parts. Not everything can be 3D printed ... yet. A lot...
  7. Kevin Wilkins

    TM-1P vs MiniMill for a first machine

    I have a 2001 MM and a 2005 TM1. The TM1 is one of the models without an enclosure or tool changer, even though I had a partial enclosure made for it later. The work area on the MM is very small and what you may over look is your ability to make fixtures for the MM on the MM. I make most all...
  8. Kevin Wilkins

    Used HAAS vs New TORMACH

    I have no idea what workers cost in SF Bay area, I have a friend who lives there and I know that anything under a $100,000 a year is a tough. I think you may have a misconception about CNC machining: there is no set up the machine and a monkey loads raw material and cool parts come out. It...
  9. Kevin Wilkins

    Used HAAS vs New TORMACH

    I have two small HAAS mills, a Mini Mill and a TM 1. Bought the TM new in 2005 and it has retained a lot of its value and given great services all these years. The Mini Mill is a 2001 and I could sell it for what I paid for it used over 5 years ago. I don’t know about resale values for TORMACH...
  10. Kevin Wilkins

    Need advice on Haas vf1 vs haas tm2

    Sounds like you are making only parts for your own company and not doing outside work. If so, the TM-2 is a great deal. See if you can make a typical part of yours on the TM and if it is OK, buy it. In 6 months or a year if you decide CNC is for you, you can always get your money back on the...
  11. Kevin Wilkins

    Haas TM 2 Tool Caddy Program H&T headaches...

    I have a 2005 TM-1 without a changer and do a lot of parts that only need 2-3 tools so a caddy similar to what you've made is something I've thought about many times. making the caddy would be no problem but the programming situation has always stopped me from getting anywhere. If you get the...
  12. Kevin Wilkins

    Which flood coolant for CNC turning? So many choices!

    ONLY use distilled water in the machines, never use any type of tap water. I buy industrial distilled water in 30 liter canisters, since I started using that, my coolants have never "turned" and that was over 4 years ago. And none of my machines run every day, so even after sitting, no more...
  13. Kevin Wilkins

    Too Old?? 02' Haas Mini Mill

    I have a 2001 Mini Mill that works great cutting titanium and glass reinforced plastics plus alu and steel. It is possible to replace the old crt monitor with a flat screen but mine is still working fine. Only thing I had a problem with was the oil air spindle that this machine came with. It...
  14. Kevin Wilkins

    Will a Haas Minimill Tool changer fit the TM1 as a retrofit?

    There was a guy from Poland, IIRC, some years back who spent a lot of time and effort trying to get something like that to work. Don't know what ever became of it. For me, it's not worth the trouble.
  15. Kevin Wilkins

    Will a Haas Minimill Tool changer fit the TM1 as a retrofit?

    I've wanted to add a tool changer to my TM-1 for years. The last time I saw anyone selling old stock Haas upgrade kits, they were like $7000 and they sold out real quick too. That was years ago. I also have a Mini Mill with the 10 tool changer, so between the 2 machines I do OK. Still, if a tool...
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