Tormach Inc

If you are considering getting into CNC, you will most likely spend a lot of time looking at what machines are available out there in the industry. You will also find lots of advice on what machine is right for you. I do not know hat machine is right for you, but I will share about the machine I am using, and why.

I am using the 1100 from Tormach Inc (https://tormach.com). I purchased it in 2018, just prior to their announcement of the 1100M. Naturally if I was buying today, I would be buying the 1100M.

I have had a very positive experience with Tormach. I have a technical background, but was new to CNC. So I took their 3 day class with hands on training. It was a great investment of my time and a wonderful introduction to the machine and related tools, like their PathPilot software.

If you are looking for a solid machine that is easy to learn, reliable and capable of cutting all kinds of metal, then I would recommend taking a look at the Tormach lineup. I have flood cooling and the ATC and would highly recommended them.

Now as I move from learning and prototyping to regular production, I will be looking at other machines. That is for 3 main reasons. First, my 1100 tops out at 5000 RPM, and that limiting cutting speed. Second, being only a 3 axis machine results in the need for more changing of fixturing, and thus more manual intervention and time. Lastly, Tormach is great, but if the machine goes down, it is you that will have to bring it up, with parts from Tormach. Other (more expensive) CNC machines will have support that can be on site and get the machine back online. That is not cheap, but if the machine is critical to meeting orders than it may be reasonable.