Anyone have any thoughts on directmotion VMC's?

[RiverDave]

I just stumbled onto these things and literally no nothing about them.. I'm always kicking around the idea of getting a VMC for out here in Havasu.. I really like the Hurco's because of their interface. You can take someone with no experience and have them making chips in less then 2 days..

I just saw these, and these look even better then a Hurco as far as interface.. Maybe even better? No idea on machine quality though.


[video=youtube;KFKEPsvJiTY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFKEPsvJiTY[/video]


www.directmotion.com


RD

 

[Wheeler]

Open a bar while your name is still golden.

 

[wsuwrhr]

Look like a refined "conversational programming" that has been available.

I admit I didn't watch the video, I just skipped through, I have seen enough tools make chips.

Controls have been getting better and better and able to do much more, and worse in some cases.

Brian

 

[RiverDave]

Watch the video.. It's worth it

 

[wsuwrhr]

Watch the video.. It's worth it

RD, except when I am posting here, I watch those videos all day, everyday, you know what IMA sayin? Smiley added.

 

[JBS]

I have never heard of the machine before but the control sure seems easy to use. You should get one

 

[Toolman]

I've never heard of them, but doesn't mean they're not any good. My question is, do you really want to get into this? These machines are expensive to run and to maintenance. The tooling alone will cost you a fortune.(vises, tool holders, cutters, ect.) Then there's coolant issues (which is a hazardous waste product). What about 3 phase? If you do this, I don't recommend doing it at ur house. U need a shop and you need to register with the county as a "hazardous waste generator". Get some work lined up before it arrives. As far as I know, there are no cnc repair company's in Havasu. They would probably come from Phoenix or Vegas. And they get travel time!!!! Then there's luxury tax. Anyway, that's what I call it. lol. I paid tax on the machine when I bought it, and I pay a tax on each one of my machines every year. Forget trying to hide it from the tax man 'cause the company u bought it from has to inform the county ur in that it's there.

Cnc's don't take prisoners. Just ask wsuwrhr about his little "sneeze" he had recently and what it cost him. And thankfully he didn't get hurt.

When ur in my area, stop by and I'll show u "The Real CNC World". Daryl

 

[79 HUSTLER]

I've never heard of them, but doesn't mean they're not any good. My question is, do you really want to get into this? These machines are expensive to run and to maintenance. The tooling alone will cost you a fortune.(vises, tool holders, cutters, ect.) Then there's coolant issues (which is a hazardous waste product). What about 3 phase? If you do this, I don't recommend doing it at ur house. U need a shop and you need to register with the county as a "hazardous waste generator". Get some work lined up before it arrives. As far as I know, there are no cnc repair company's in Havasu. They would probably come from Phoenix or Vegas. And they get travel time!!!! Then there's luxury tax. Anyway, that's what I call it. lol. I paid tax on the machine when I bought it, and I pay a tax on each one of my machines every year. Forget trying to hide it from the tax man 'cause the company u bought it from has to inform the county ur in that it's there.

Cnc's don't take prisoners. Just ask wsuwrhr about his little "sneeze" he had recently and what it cost him. And thankfully he didn't get hurt.

When ur in my area, stop by and I'll show u "The Real CNC World". Daryl

You can tell your are in California. Luckily we don't get screwed like that in Havasu.

 

[RiverDave]

I've never heard of them, but doesn't mean they're not any good. My question is, do you really want to get into this? These machines are expensive to run and to maintenance. The tooling alone will cost you a fortune.(vises, tool holders, cutters, ect.) Then there's coolant issues (which is a hazardous waste product). What about 3 phase? If you do this, I don't recommend doing it at ur house. U need a shop and you need to register with the county as a "hazardous waste generator". Get some work lined up before it arrives. As far as I know, there are no cnc repair company's in Havasu. They would probably come from Phoenix or Vegas. And they get travel time!!!! Then there's luxury tax. Anyway, that's what I call it. lol. I paid tax on the machine when I bought it, and I pay a tax on each one of my machines every year. Forget trying to hide it from the tax man 'cause the company u bought it from has to inform the county ur in that it's there.

Cnc's don't take prisoners. Just ask wsuwrhr about his little "sneeze" he had recently and what it cost him. And thankfully he didn't get hurt.

When ur in my area, stop by and I'll show u "The Real CNC World". Daryl

I have been around several large and small CNC shops.. I am pretty familiar with what is involved.

I made my decision earlier today to buy a grossly overpriced retrofit kit for my knee mill to the tune of about 18-19k and dabble in making some parts before I go full tilt on a door closer. Even though the price point makes little sense financially, I don't really want to add another machine in my two car side of my garage and I have zero interest in getting rid of mine.

 

[River Cowboy]

3 big questions when looking at any CNC machines,

1 how long has the company been selling machines in the USA? over 5 years is the set point
2 do they have an office or is it just the importer? I will not buy from the importer they could stop support at any time
3 do they have a parts inventory in the USA? if not they have no way to help you fast

My rules for my customers, if its a no to any of the above don't buy it

I also try to keep them away from anything without a control from
one of the top manufactures (Fanuc, Mitsubishi, Simens)

Never buy a used machine that has not been checked out by a qualified tech

As far as a CNC repair guy, I live in So. Cal and Kingman and that's what I do,
I do service and applications and as an independent my prices run 30% under my competition

 

[RiverDave]

3 big questions when looking at any CNC machines,

1 how long has the company been selling machines in the USA? over 5 years is the set point
2 do they have an office or is it just the importer? I will not buy from the importer they could stop support at any time
3 do they have a parts inventory in the USA? if not they have no way to help you fast

My rules for my customers, if its a no to any of the above don't buy it

I also try to keep them away from anything without a control from
one of the top manufactures (Fanuc, Mitsubishi, Simens)

Never buy a used machine that has not been checked out by a qualified tech

As far as a CNC repair guy, I live in So. Cal and Kingman and that's what I do,
I do service and applications and as an independent my prices run 30% under my competition

Thanks for putting in your 2 cents! I again changed directions and am looking hard at Haas TM1's.. They have a slower spindle speed then most but I'd be way ahead of my retrofit program.. The quote ended up coming in at 25'ishk for everything.. I'm gonna keep looking and pull the trigger when I find the right machine.

 

[wsuwrhr]

Thanks for putting in your 2 cents! I again changed directions and am looking hard at Haas TM1's.. They have a slower spindle speed then most but I'd be way ahead of my retrofit program.. The quote ended up coming in at 25'ishk for everything.. I'm gonna keep looking and pull the trigger when I find the right machine.

I am behind any HAAS mill. I have purchased 5 of them, and never a single problem with sales, finance, install, or service after the sale. For the money, I would never buy another brand.

USA made in Oxnard too..but I am sure you already know that.

Their financing rates and even outside financing are agreeable.

Let me know if you have any questions.

I would buy a full size RD, at least a VF1. As big of payment as you can stomach. If you are going to try and make a living on it, I would consider a sidemount toolchanger over an umbrella style.

Like your father always said, "You can make small parts on a big machine." That always influenced my decisions.

Call me if you want to chat about it.

Brian

 

[River Cowboy]

Hass cant be beat for bang for buck, great used market on them as well tons around cheap

Fadel also not a bad way to go, no less then 5 company's building them.....the brand just wont die
and you have to love that

don't forget westech coming up, see a few machines plus show deals to be made
to bad down town LA

 

[wsuwrhr]

Hass cant be beat for bang for buck, great used market on them as well tons around cheap

Fadel also not a bad way to go, no less then 5 company's building them.....the brand just wont die
and you have to love that

don't forget westech coming up, see a few machines plus show deals to be made
to bad down town LA

I agree.

I have never been a fan of used machines unless you know their history. But the prices are appealing if you do.

Fadal is a good machine too. But I've never been a fan of their control.

You just can't beat a Fanuc based controller, perhaps I am biased.

Brian

 

[Racing97]

Haas is the way to go there already are a few of them in Havasu I have 3 VMC's and they have been running everyday for 15 years and do need repair every now and then but are the most cost effective machine. look at their mini mill for a great garage set up.

 

[RiverDave]

I was talking about buying a used TM1.. They have decent travels but are kinda light weight compared to the VF series.. They are about 20-25. They are not a true door closer. This is the way to get my feet wet without jumping in the pool so to speak.