Shapeoko HDM vs Taig Mill.... can I skip the Taig? (Daily alum milling)

As we have pointed out on support, the Taig pretty much requires that one learn to be a machinist, while the Carbide 3D machine should avoid that, and even be easier to set up than others (in the HDM announcement there were comments about the arduousness of setting up a Datron…).

The HDM or even an SO5 Pro (or Pro or 4) would do well for these parts, with the price tradeoff being material removal rate vs. time vs. surface finish and so forth.

I’ve done some quite nice and quite small parts in aluminum and brass on my Carbide 3D machines, and have no concerns about repeating them.

That said, if you are considering an HDM and your parts are small enough to fit, have you considered a Nomad 4?

2 Likes