Denford VMC 1300 CNC milling machine

[zoomerParticipant @zoomer]

I am interested in purchasing a second hand Denford VMC 1300 CNC milling machine and would like to hear from anyone who has one regarding the pros and cons of operating this type of machine. My intended use is to manufacture aluminium motorcycle parts for my own hobby (not commercial production) so I am particularly interested in the machine`s capacity and accuracy to machine 6082 or 7075 aluminium together with any potential problems with software issues and spare parts.

[EmgeeParticipant @emgee]

Specs here for the machine. Emgee

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I think the Denford software and controller will be the limiting factor not the spec of the physical machine. Not seen these ones mentioned but others like the Novamill a lot of people convert to Mach3 or 4, linux etc

A bit more spindle speed than the 4000rpm would be nice for aluminium and to be able to make use of those reasonably fast feed rates but depends if it is just a bit of hobby use or you want to knock out a lot of items as fast as possible.

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

https://denfordata.com/bb/viewforum.php?f=51

Denfords are mechanically great but the electronics will be  very dated by modern standards. If you’d like a project then updating it to modern drives and a new controller would give you an excellent machine. Though I’ve used Mach3 for years I would not choose it now. There are many posts on here on alternatives. Having converted a Denford mill and a Myford lathe I’m happy to help. An interesting current option I’m looking at is Gender with fluidNC.

 

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

gSender https://sienci.com/gsender/?srsltid=AfmBOooffLHVhlKxpYKkpY6Xjnr0i5w1AeZfk6VUDK3b_eh0k_n36ByY

[zoomerParticipant @zoomer]

Thanks for the replies. Its only for hobby use so a lot to consider here. Because of the cheaper cost  I am also considering the Denford Triton which has a similar working envelope. I don’t have the skills to convert to Mach3 but there are companies who will do it for a reasonable cost. I would be interested to hear from  anyone who uses the Denford software.

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

As you say that it is intended for “hobby” use, you might consider purchasing a new machine that comes as a plug-and-play offering.  From a brief search for Denford cnc mills, there would be a significant cost saving, too. You would save the bother of changing the axis stepper/servo drives and associated gubbins as well as the controller software. However the work envelope may not be quite as large as the Denford, particularly in the Z axis, but it won’t be by very much. It all rather depends on what you want to make with it.

There are a number of such machines available at various price points.  A Google search will give plenty of leads.

John

 

[zoomerParticipant @zoomer]

John

For our intended use the Z axis of 375mm (without ATC) is the key factor and exactly why I am considering the 1300. As far as I can see nothing else come close.

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Er – 305mm according to the table above?

Note that Denford spindles usually have a BT30 (or 40?) taper and normally one fits a chuck in this such as an ERxx adapter.  The Denford kits often supplied an adapter with quick change collet chucks. It’s amazing how much daylight these consume!  So do consider the length of the chuck. It’s even worse with the Novamill which has much less daylight to start with.  I managed to find a set of BT30 finger collets which I can use for jobs that are too high that effectively have zero stick-out. You may also find that it’s better to clamp work direct to the table rather than use a machine vice.

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

I do have some experience of Denford machines so a bit of history for context:

Some 20 years ago I purchased both Novamill and Novaturn for use in our laboratories at work.  Very well made and rigid machines ideal for the work we required of them.  Several colleagues and I undertook official training at Denford to use these (a H&S requirement enough though these machines were designed with all the safety precautions necessary for school use). The included software worked very well in 2 1/2 D which means they would profile a 2D DXF drawing.  These machines were connected to Windows PCs with a USB.

Some years later I purchased Denford Micromill on ebay.  This was essentially a Sherline mill incorporated into the Denford hardware and software system.  This ex-school mill came with an elderly PC with Denford VR milling software.  Fusion 360 has (had?) a Denford post processor so full 3D milling was possible.  Sadly the PC died shortly after I purchased it losing the VR Mill license which was registered with the original owner.  After some internal debate I purchased a new license from Denford which was £300 but I was still less than a £1000 all in for a CNC mill.  However this solution was not really satisfactory due to issues with the using a PC with a parallel port.  In the end I bit the bullet and had the Denford mill converted to Mach 3 by an advertiser on ebay.  This was mostly satisfactory with a UC100 USB motion controller, I do have a working mill that can do full 3 axis machining within its limits.  When I had the mill converted to Mach 3 I specified connections for a 4th axis -just before Autocad withdrew this option for hobby users!

It seems that the VMC 1300 is a current machine so I am not convinced that the hardware and software are incapable of good work.  While stepper motors are probably not state of the art in CNC machining I would expect the performance to be satisfactory for the home shop with VR milling working from a W11 machine – this is definitely worth checking.  It really depends on the price and there does not seem to be any new alternative available in the UK for less than £6000.

PM me if I can be of further help.

Rod

 

 

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Ah, I didn’t realise it can still be bought to special order – but how old is the machine the OP is looking at? Looking again at Denfordata posts go back to 2010 and also it looks like a development of the Triac.

[Author]

Posts