Mill Choice PM-728VT or PM-833VT
Posted: Wed May 05, 2021 1:12 am
Hello,
I am 99% done building the electronics for a CNC mill conversion using the Acorn board and closed loop steppers. My goal for the mill is to make one-off prototypes mostly with aluminum and some other harder metals. Since I don't know exactly what I will be making, I could actually end up working with the harder metals rather than aluminum. The last time I worked a mill was in high school using a Bridgeport so I have absolutely no experience with smaller benchtop machines. I had originally planned on converting the PM-728VT, but have since seen lots of videos that stress the importance of rigidity. I am now considering the PM-833VT which is about twice as heavy. I have listed the key features of each below. While the PM-833TV has a bit greater travel than the PM-728VT, I most likely will not need the additional travel or slight larger table size.
It is now time for me to pick the mill to convert. I welcome any of your thoughts to help me understand what I would gain from the added heft of the PM-833TV or any other thoughts comparing the mills.
Thanks... Richard
PM-727VT
Weight: 375 lbs.
Motor: 1HP BLDC
Drive: 2 speed belt drive
Bearings: Angular contact
Lube: 1-shot
Max Spindle Speed: 4300
Made: Taiwan
PM-833TV
Weight: 750 lbs.
Motor: 2HP + VFD
Drive: 1 speed belt drive
Bearings: Tapered Roller
Lube: 1-shot
Max Spindle Speed: 3250
Made: Taiwan
I am 99% done building the electronics for a CNC mill conversion using the Acorn board and closed loop steppers. My goal for the mill is to make one-off prototypes mostly with aluminum and some other harder metals. Since I don't know exactly what I will be making, I could actually end up working with the harder metals rather than aluminum. The last time I worked a mill was in high school using a Bridgeport so I have absolutely no experience with smaller benchtop machines. I had originally planned on converting the PM-728VT, but have since seen lots of videos that stress the importance of rigidity. I am now considering the PM-833VT which is about twice as heavy. I have listed the key features of each below. While the PM-833TV has a bit greater travel than the PM-728VT, I most likely will not need the additional travel or slight larger table size.
It is now time for me to pick the mill to convert. I welcome any of your thoughts to help me understand what I would gain from the added heft of the PM-833TV or any other thoughts comparing the mills.
Thanks... Richard
PM-727VT
Weight: 375 lbs.
Motor: 1HP BLDC
Drive: 2 speed belt drive
Bearings: Angular contact
Lube: 1-shot
Max Spindle Speed: 4300
Made: Taiwan
PM-833TV
Weight: 750 lbs.
Motor: 2HP + VFD
Drive: 1 speed belt drive
Bearings: Tapered Roller
Lube: 1-shot
Max Spindle Speed: 3250
Made: Taiwan