I just took a deposit for the sale of my current milling machine. I am now getting really close to pulling the trigger on the 1500MX. Are there any users on this forum that have the 1500 that I can connect with?
Thanks…. Richard
I just took a deposit for the sale of my current milling machine. I am now getting really close to pulling the trigger on the 1500MX. Are there any users on this forum that have the 1500 that I can connect with?
Thanks…. Richard
Good luck. I think Bigfoot has one.
I think someone from tormach posted a while ago that almost all 1500 were being ordered by tool room shops. Someone has to have one but I don’t think anyone on the forum has one.
Thanks Harold. For what is worth…. Who is Bigfoot?
Bigfoot, Yeti, Nessie (insert quasi-mythical creature here)…. probably what was meant.
Tormach used to have a program where prospective buyers could contact willing nearby owners. You’d probably have to call them for that if it’s still a thing.
I don’t know who on the forum has one but there are several in the facebook groups that do.
Thanks guys. I thought that Bigfoot might be someone’s username here on the forum. I will check out the facebook group.
Thanks Roy. I have contacted them with no luck so far.
Honestly I thought tormach had been making people sign an N.D.A. when buying the 1500 because it’s been a total blackout here on the forum. No complaints, questions (other than buying/operating inquiries) and no showing of installs. I’m guessing most of them go to larger companies and there aren’t many single use hobby machines out there.
How can I convince Tormach to send me a demo, I could boost interaction on the forum if I had a 1500 to use ![]()
I have one, it sits next to my PCNC770 from 2018. Self-assembled, with wireless probe and tool setter. But I don’t really have the extra resources to talk/show anything about it. It has been working really well.
I have considered/seen the Syil X7 (epoxy granite) in person, but I decided to go with the 1500MX. I have it since March this year.
AJ from Audacity Micro has good coverage on the 1500MX. He has openly shared quite some good content on YouTube as well as Instagram.
Thank you for your reply.
I have one as well. Happy to answer any questions I can. I self assembled mine with the help of my wife. Got the coolant, tool changer, and probe.
Thanks Adam. I watched a bunch of videos and was hoping to find someone close by so I can see it before buying one. Are you happy with the machine? Any unexpected findings on your part?
Thanks… Richard
I have a 1500MX as well. Located in southern NH, I’d also be happy to help in any capacity. I’ll be installing my 4th axis unit in the next couple weeks if that’s something you’d have questions about.
John what town are you in? I’m in Dover…
Yes, quite happy with it. The only issue I’ve had was my automatic oiler wouldn’t reprogram. Tormach sent me a new one and I haven’t had any problems since.
I’ve got an 1500 MX I’ve been using around July of this year. Order with most of the extras except the chip conveyer. I went the self assembly route and learned a lot about the machine in the process. It was more work than I expected but I think it was the right choice. I found a number of things that needed remediation from the factory. Assembling the mill myself left me with a much more thorough understanding of the machine and I was able to rectify some of the factory quality control issues along the way. Overall I’m very pleased with the machine and for my needs it fits perfectly. Tormach support has been great as well as the forum community.
Thanks for your thoughts! I will be ordering one on Monday!
I’m in the same boat that you were in previously. I’m stuck between the X7 and the MX1500. The X7 seems more rigid and has a higher HP spindle. The Mx1500 seems to have easier setup, better UI, and support is way better. What pushed you to MX1500 over the X7? Do you feel you made a good decision
For myself serviceability was a huge factor. I volunteer at a local maker space and when we needed to service the PCNC 1100 V3 the documentation was awesome making the service and trouble shooting simple. Tormach has parts available for the older machine and for the 1500MX. If the current provider of the X7 switches to some other brand I could see that as an issue for getting parts. They do change brands every few years and that was a concern for me.
I’ve really come to like Pathpilot, its better than several other systems I run (Fanuc/ProtoTrak/GF). Its simple, effective and easy to add integrations.
The rigidity has been good, but I do employ a few processes to aid in machining. My insert cutters are mostly high feed types like die industry tools and for the high efficiency milling using end mills with chip splitters to interrupt resonances.
The table size, the 1500mx has almost 20 inches of travel and i can comfortably fit three 4 inch vises with the tool setter. The X7 would be good for two 6 inch vises though.
The epoxy granite X7 is more rigid, I can attest to that. The 1500MX is not quite as rigid as far as the column is concerned. But with the stuff I’m cutting, it has not been an issue.
PathPilot is a dealbreaker for me. I usually access the machines remotely via VNC.
I appreciate the bigger table on the 1500MX, but I hardly use the full travel.
I like the self-serviceability and support. Based on my personal history with Tormach, I have confidence that the machine will be well documented/supported in the future (like my 770S3) and that made it a no-brainer choice.
I self assembled the machine myself. I got the ATC, probe/toolsetter, flood coolant kit, MQL, and mist collector. I also retrofitted a Fogbuster system into it.
I don’t do high production work, but I deal with pretty tight tolerance work in hard metals and it has been good. Thermal expansion are mostly in the Z axis, and after getting that sorted with proper shop climate control, it has been very accurate and repeatable.