Can we use Shapeoko Pro for aluminum milling?

[WillAdams (William Adams (Carbide 3D))]

If you are removing a significant amount of material, you should get an SO5 Pro.

While a Nomad can do large parts:

Nomad - Large Aluminum Part

I had a friend ask me to mill him a replacement handle for his old rowboat and I said yes before running the machining time simulation. As a result, I can say that the Nomad is capable of machining large aluminum stock, but it’s going to take a while. [image] I started with a 8"x6.5"x1.25" thick piece of 6061-T6 aluminum and used an 1/8" 2-flute ZrN coated end mill from lakeshore carbide for the majority of the roughing. I also had to order a long reach end mill to get through the full depth …

it can take a while.

If you have a space suitable for the space and noise and mess of a Shapeoko 5 Pro, that would be my inclination — the SO is the machine for a shop space, while the Nomad is the machine for an office or spare bedroom where its enclosure for containing mess and reducing noise is invaluable.

That said, you could get a Nomad and use it to make a power hacksaw (for cutting stock) and a die filer (for finishing them).