Nathan,
This looks almost exactly like the one I run at work. I actually run the VM-2. It has been a great machine except the spindle will not take sustained 12,000rpm speeds for too long. I love the hard drive option for running parts not to mention the network...Works great! 50mb files can be cumbersome in some of the other machines that I run...
Congrats!
Bill
This one is a VF2SS, I would have liked a VM, but this one suits our production needs a little better and you can still cut molds on it. Yeah, sustained 12,000 RPM is asking a bit much out of a Haas.
There is a 20 HP Onsrud that I run flat out cutting plastic all day. I'm *
feeding* at 1800 IPM (this Hass is "special" because it can
rapid at 1400 IPM) and the slowest I ever run the spindle is 13,000 RPM for a big 1" 3 flute. The one tool I use the most runs at 18,000 RPM. The spindle gets a little warm by the end of the day, but not too bad. At the end of a two week run there is literally a truck load of chips to haul off. 18-20 gaylords.
In comparison, the little mill next to the new Haas has a 6,000 RPM spindle and I have to keep it there a little over half the time. I'm getting some spindle troubles, but they started while the machine was still under warranty, so once it goes they said they'd replace it under warranty. And worst case, a new spindle is only about $1,500. The Onsrud has ceramic bearings, I've been told to be real careful not to crash it because there is an extra zero in there.
