Small machines

[gerry maddenParticipant @gerrymadden53711]

This is a new brand/company name to me that popped into my inbox recently. It might be of interest to anyone who is looking for a small m/c, or even a model of a small m/c…  (the model prices seem higher than the full size!!!)

https://svanfon.com/

Gerry

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Interesting….

I’m a bit surprised the small CNC milling-machine’s table looks like aluminium-alloy and seems to have just a single row of tapped holes for clamping work, making me wonder its durability. One could make an upper table to take the wear, but reducing the head-room.

My first thought triggered by the advertising was of it perhaps an “entry-level” NC machine, but it would be more to the point to think about what you are going to make on it, first.  The larger machines are considerably more expensive but likely no more than any other maker’s.

One obvious application for a machine like this, is engraving, where the cuts are shallow.

The “Mini Precision Milling Machine” (CNC) looks much more useful for heftier model-engineering – at much heftier cost of course, and a lead time of two months or more.

 

The lathe’s specifications are a bit odd, suggesting even the cast-iron version is not really intended for turning steel. Very limited surfacing length on the smaller sizes of the three, but probably adequate for most fine-scale model parts, clock-making, etc. There appears no specifications given for the “C” pattern lathes.

Examining the photographs shows no obvious half-nut control, and screw-cutting is not mentioned. There are few accessories listed for these lathes but this may be early days yet for the company.

The “shank size” followed by a number is new to me: is this some taper other than Morse, etc.?

I think the established Sherline, Proxxon, Cowells etc. ranges, and the “badge” ones, probably more versatile for the “compact” size and price end of things.

 

I’d say these smal lathes very much aimed at fine-scale model-making, clock-making and the more art-orientated crafts, as the brochure’s own “Precautions” very much suggest.  It’s a bit off-putting to see a warning that extended use may lead to overheating, reinforcing my thoughts the main, intended market is not larger-scale model-engineering, even for the smaller components. It will be interesting to see how popular these machines become.

Elsewhere some of the other “goodies” appear designed aesthetics-first, as pretty to look at use.

Where made? The web-site is clearly English and bears £ Sterling prices but I noticed one of the promotional videos carries a label in (presumably) Chinese.

 

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

 

[Michael Gilligan]

On Michael Gilligan Said:

 

On Nigel Graham 2 Said:

 

The “shank size” followed by a number is new to me: is this some taper other than Morse, etc.?

That is the max siz ethe tool post will take eg 1010 is a 10mm x 10mm square shank. Same numbering system as ISO insert holders

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

They are made in China and the supplier is in China. It’s on the website if you look hard enough. They look like toys designed with CAD to me.
Don’t forget there is duty and tax on top of the prices.

Robert.

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Jason –

Thankyou. I’d not seen that nomenclature previously, on its own like that. I’ve not really examined ISO shank numbering.

I don’t think the company quotes the tapers.

.

Robert –

Oh, I’d guessed Chinese, but I wasn’t sure if they sell directly or if the website is of some American agent for them.

The smaller machines and the various other tools do have a somewhat toy-like quality, I agree, and their own blurb implies they are not built for serious amateur work – and says they are not for industrial use. The larger milling-machines look more useful.

I’m not going to rush out and buy anything from them.

……

 

Just watched that video. Someone fit that lathe with a work derrick, and give the lass a hair-net, before she has an accident!

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Some of their videos show the lathes and mills being used so not all toys.  Seem to make good use of linear guide rails on quite a few of the usable machines.

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

No, they are not all toys but the smaller lathes look too limited even for their genre, and their own advertising does not make me want one.

The larger Svanfon milling-machines are more enclosed to keep the swarf out of the guides and lead-screws.

The combination machine there is somewhat similar to the idea of the milling-attachment for the lathe but perhaps more versatile.

 

Oddly, I have sometimes wondered about being able to mount my EW lathe on the Myford VMC mill, rather as that combination machine.  It would though, be difficult to power the lathe there so that may only be a glorified dividing-attachment, and it would seriously limit the headroom for the milling-cutter.

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Isn’t there a US made CNC mill for which they also sell a mini-lathe that can mount on the table?

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

The small CI lathe is quite similar to the Cowells in general specs though obviously not to the same level of precision I would guess.  Top speed is significantly faster, the fact that they give such sketchy info not encouraging.  But the price is not much more than a tenth!  If you wanted a new Cowells-size lathe and were willing to do some fettling these might be interesting.  It would have to be able to take collets to be useful.  How about an ME&W review?

[John Haine]

On John Haine Said:

Isn’t there a US made CNC mill for which they also sell a mini-lathe that can mount on the table?

If I recall correctly when Tormach first introduced their 1100 CNC mill an option was for a modified mini lathe that mounted on the table. When I bought my Tormach mill 15+ years ago I considered adding the mini lathe. But decided against it due to cost and very limited functionality. The mini lathe accessory didn’t sell well and was quickly dropped. Tormach now sell the RapidTurn, expensive but much better functionality.

Julie

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

One of the guys over on MEM forum uses a modified Emco Compact 5 lathe bed and head as his 4th axis mounted on the main mill.

[mike TParticipant @miket56243]

I used a Emco Compact 5 lathe bed and head for my 4th axis rig, simply because I had one available. You could use any small lathe. The Drive motor was replace with a large stepper, driving the spindle via a tight toothed belt. The cross slide became redundant so it was removed to make a bigger play area.

The use of a standard Compact lathe bed and head gave me a wide range of workholding options, ER25 collets, three jaw, four jaw, face plate and between centres, with tail stock support whenever it is needed. I use this 4th axis rig frequently for all my gear cutting and splined shaft work. The most useful accessary I ever made.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

The last video above looks like the spindle and z axis from a 3018 CNC router attached to a more robust XY than usual. Sort of taking over from that unit featured in MEW a few issues back.

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