I have been looking at Altmill for a while but have a tiny work area. 2x4 would be the ideal size, but still think without being able to easily move it around it would be a no go. I have an order in for a G2 Onefinity Journeyman with the folding table mostly because it can be stored upright and folded and rolled easily. Is there anything that could be done to the Altmill that would give similar flexibility? I think Altmill is my first choice but I don’t think I can have a stationary machine. Any suggestions?
There is a topic on table setups. It’s an older topic, so mainly for longmill machines, but these can work for Altmill too. I’ve seen topic of people mounting Altmills on custom tables. If that can be done, a fliptable Altmill can be done too.
Good luck on making the altmill fit into your space. It will still be a beast.
If you get it done, please come back and share. Not seen a flip altmill yet.
Thank you for the input….it seems I might have to pass on the Altmill, I just don’t have the time to “make something work” when I can hit the ground running with another machine. Sad, but such is life. Hopefully the Onefinity can a good machine for me, even if I know performance wise the Altmill is probably superior.
I put these on my Altmill and they work great. Easy to move and the ratchet mechanism makes them whete you can set down solid or jack them up on the wheels.
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This topic came back into my timeline and now I am curious on how your cnc journey is going, not having to invest time and effort into making things work. I bet many people would like to hear if “hitting the ground running” is even possible starting a hobby as learningcurvey as cncing.
Did you get the onefinity or other ready to go machine?
As far as hitting the ground running I do have an advantage since I’m not really new to the world of CNC. I have not had one for about 3-4 years, but that was an AVID CNC 5x5 table with NEMA 34 motors kit and 4HP spindle. It was a beast of a machine and hopefully hasn’t ruined me these more “hobby” grade units.
I did end up going with the Onefinity Gen2 with 1.5kW spindle and folding leg kit. Honestly subjectively from my experience the more traditional design of the Altmill on paper is probably better structurally. Also Altmill seems to support more of an open source vibe which I like. I just don’t have time or space to invent a way to be able to easily move or sometimes store the machine. I think in practice especially when considering the new G2 of Onefinity being beefed up in a few key areas that functionally they should compete very closely in performance. As far as a few other things that made me feel OK with going with 1F vs Altmill…when it comes to the smaller machines which is what I need for my space…1F is 49x33 cutting area with 7” of Z clearance vs Altmill being 49x25 and 5.5” of Z clearance. Cost wise similarly equipped the prices are close enough to not really matter. The Avid was an amazing machine for a guy like me, but it was an undertaking to put together. Altmill probably not as much but I do like that the 1F is more lego than erector kit, but this is a one time pain point and not a huge determining factor for me. It was more about being able to make the machine portable easily. I am making some compromises to shoehorn a CNC into my tiny space. That being said, I feel a lot better about the generation 2 Onefinity. I probably would not have gone Gen1 Onefinity. Hope this gives some insight and helps someone else. I think they both are great machines and great companies, but very different in design and philosophy.
Still waiting on my Onefinity G2, and having a few second thoughts. Not sure anyone here can help, but the man door i would have to move the CNC through on a semi regular basis is 35” wide. Specs say the Altmill 2x4 has a 38” wide foot print. I am wondering if that includes the steppers. If it does I am wondering how deep just the frame is without steppers? It might be possible to angle the machine to get the steppers around the door frame, then get the machine through and then angle the machine around again to get the other stepper out the door. Hopefully that makes sense. Does anyone think this might be possible? If so I may cancel the 1F and order the 2x4 Altmill?
@JimmyBuckets I’m assuming you’d have the table on casters? They would likely extend past the 34.33" of you mount them to the legs. You might need to have them inset a bit.
Thank you. Yes I think you are right. I could probably get the first half out, but the second swing would not have enough room. So close but it seems just not really workable no matter how I try.
