Been on the fence about purchasing this, or doing another conversion on a square column bench mill, or double or triple the cost, would be a mini mill or super mini mill. MR-1 has a lot of things going for it. Mostly, a decisive win on my time to have an up and running piece of equipment vs. a conversion. My main apprehension is the sizing of the linear rails and ball screws.
I would appreciate confirmation, but it appears to use 20mm rails / carraiges and possibly 16mm ballscrews and single nuts? I’m used to over engineering, but that seems a little light for the application. Just my two cents. Really looking for feedback from owners and experienced users for their thoughts. Also any automated tool change integration information. Thanks.
This is a hobbyist machine, and it works excellently. The CutControl program allows you to create designs without needing a degree in G-code. You should consider passing on this option if you’re looking for a Haas machine for less than ten thousand dollars. However, if you match the profile I described, then by all means, go ahead and give it a try. I use mine several times a week without any issues. The ball screws work fine. I wish it traveled faster, but it is what it is.
20mm rails and 12mm screws. The machine is maxed out at 100in/min velocity. The stepper drivers are the first thing undersized besides Z axis. I have upgraded to Linuxcnc and I am pushing 180in/min on Y and 120in/min on X. This doesn’t sound like a huge upgrade but most don’t understand the gantry is 200lbs of weight. and the only reason X isn’t at 180in/min is due to hitting a bad resonant frequency any faster. As @Bigdaddy2166 said this is a hobby machine or a small starter machine at most. Personally, I can’t get a Brother or Haas up my driveway due to the slope, amazon trucks have gotten stuck on their bumpers, and I don’t want to rent a crane for a machine, neighbors would hate me.
For ATC check out @AlexW he has a working one on linuxcnc. If you are thinking of doing an ATC at all a controller upgrade is required. TBH they should go to linuxcnc or another controller from factory and get away from grbl.
I’d echo everything said above, and I’ll add my 2 cents.
I wouldn’t go into the MR1 expecting to take the kinds of cuts you could get away with on a knee mill or something built heavier… but using a program like fusion to take “smarter” tool paths the machine is fine.
I do wish the software supported more things, like cutter compensation, tool changes during a program, and most of the other things on the wishlist thread.
Even with the limitations of the design and the LS software it is still a pretty capable machine for any hobbyist, garage machinist, or one-off and prototyping parts. I’d venture a guess that its paid for itself in the last year and a half alone in custom parts and not having to pay for or rely on other shops or people to machine things for my shop at home.
Appreciate all the feedback. I currently have a round column ballscrew/stepper conversion that does okay, but would like more cutting area and an easier system for tool swap or atc. Its a little long in tooth and was converted in 2016. The mill itself sold in 1982. l use PoLabs and pokeys57cnc control and run Mach 4. Very Happy with the hardware and software options with set up.