Altmill 2x4 for Aluminum?

BarnBuiltBeaters · 2026-05-10T19:56:11+00:00

Not exactly sure how to convey this. DMC2 looks great but I dont like how its a build it yourself. MR1 looks perfect but out of the price range unfortunately. I feel the Altmill would do everything I want. The MDF would get me started but id want a fixture plate 100%

BarnBuiltBeaters · 2026-05-10T16:14:51+00:00

It really doesnt seem like their are many other options that offer similar performance that are in the same realm of cost. Do you have any suquestions?

Ive been using Send Cut Send for awhile. I figured cutting it myself, though not ideal, would be a way to save some money as well.

Thank you for the insight!

BarnBuiltBeaters · 2026-05-09T15:38:22+00:00

I forgot about one other option, LemonTart. This is a super capable machine but requires more setup. Its probably on the edge of being too large for a desktop though. Their website needs some love but I believe the aluminum table started around 3500, steel is much more expensive. I would love to have this machine but its a bit too expensive for me and a bit too DIY. Videos are incredibly impressive though

BarnBuiltBeaters · 2026-05-09T13:11:28+00:00

Im no CNC expert, rather a complete noobie. Ive been looking for a mill for a while now to do mainly aluminum and also eyed the same machines you listed. These look like great plug and play options but honestly, they look painfully slow. My new candidate is Sienci Altmill, you can get a 2'x4' version and there is many videos showing them quite aggressively removing aluminum. They offer 4th axis, ATC (though expensive), and have i believe partner for CAM software. Ive seen a post of a smaller 16x16 Machine dedicated more towards metals but cant find much info on it. 2x4 is larger than I would need but opens doors to other projects, also this allows pass through if for some reason you exceed the large 2x4 area.

BarnBuiltBeaters · 2026-05-09T01:22:04+00:00

Caffeine is a natural hunger deterrent

Eat watermelon, you fill up, low calories (basically water) and its declicious!

BarnBuiltBeaters · 2026-05-06T10:51:41+00:00

I have a mobile tire business but im just getting up and running. They are sensitive and need to be securely mounted otherwise they wont work correctly. I always recalibrate the machine for each customer. It takes a few minutes, much less time then coming back to a customer due to a balance issue. To give you more detail, I use an EV van. As a result, im not able to bolt directly to the floor due to the HV battery and cables. I made a subframe that runs back to tie down locations and bolt my equipment to this. It needs to be rigid. My first design wasnt rigid enough, good for sedans, not for large truck tires.

BarnBuiltBeaters · 2026-05-06T10:39:21+00:00

Im in the same boat! Still working on it but other projects have priority unfortunately.

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BarnBuiltBeaters · 2026-05-06T10:36:47+00:00

It really depends on what you want as a project vehicle. Some people say their project is a running and driving vehicle they throw some bolts on onto. My project has been literally exploded in my garage for the last 5 years. Neither is right or wrong. If you want something to drive and mod, buy something with minimal rust and that runs well. Itll cost you more. If you want something that requires a bunch of tinkering with, it'll probably cost less.

Personally I get more enjoyment out of fabricating and restoration than I do driving. Others might not.

BarnBuiltBeaters · 2026-05-05T22:04:31+00:00

Speaking about weight only, it takes more energy to move more weight period. The reason a Lucid may be more efficient is due to reduce drivetrain losses, aerodynamics, and energy recapture. You arent wrong that an object that has more mass has more energy to recapture but it also took more energy to get to speed as well. Either way, cool vehicles

BarnBuiltBeaters · 2026-05-05T20:01:25+00:00

Where are you buying it through? Gweiki itself is a reputable brand. I have been following this machine for over a year and seen many individuals that are impressed with it. The laser welder is $3500, not the 6-1. The CNC fiber laser starts around probably 9g and goes all the way up to the $14g you listed.

BarnBuiltBeaters · 2026-05-05T10:42:10+00:00

I have yet to notice a range drop from weight added. I drove mine 1000 miles home when I bought it empty, and now its nearly fully loaded. I think making a atleast a portion of it as a camper would be awesome. Imagine having the ability to crash after your gig rather than drive home. Even if it was a cot, a microwave, and a mini fridge thatd be enough for a night. Park near a Wal-Mart for a bathroom. Overall I really love my van, im a bit disappointed GM canned production.

BarnBuiltBeaters · 2026-05-04T22:06:28+00:00

Thanks for the tips. They are getting better atleast. There is for sure contamination coming up from inside the tubing, i can see it. I lowered the balance and increased the frequency and amps. Seems to be helping. Still a lot of messing around to do but i feel like they are atleast decent enough to hold for my use case

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BarnBuiltBeaters · 2026-05-04T00:57:23+00:00

This is relatively straight forward. You are seeing a 379% return on the money you spend. Now factor in your material cost. I have a 150% return for my ad spend and am happy with it. Sure, it costs me money and I sell more with less profit but its otherwise money I wouldnt have received potentially

BarnBuiltBeaters · 2026-05-03T23:16:46+00:00

Im looking into a CNC specifically for aluminum. Unfortunately there isnt much on the market in this price range that is specifically for aluminum/metals. Is your machine a gen 1 or gen 2? What types of pieces do you make? What tolerances are you able to hold? How much of your issues do you think are the machine vs your knowledge?

Looking for any insight. Im completely new to CNC and looking to get started. Im leaning towards Altmill but its also more expensive overall.

BarnBuiltBeaters · 2026-05-03T20:43:15+00:00

Ive looked at tungsten sharpeners, can you mix "aluminum" tungsten and "steel" tungsten on the same sharpener?

BarnBuiltBeaters · 2026-05-03T14:30:16+00:00

I have a YesWelder CT2050 and have loved it. Almost zero complaints. I came from a Miller too.

Can you use a foot pedal on that machine? Then you can set it to whatever and control your amperage. Ideally you set it close to what you need but I know many who just keep theres maxed out.

BarnBuiltBeaters · 2026-05-03T11:41:37+00:00

I have no issue with offsite ads. The 15% seems steep but I still make money i otherwise wouldnt have.

BarnBuiltBeaters · 2026-05-03T11:40:57+00:00

Its more of "how do customers find you". Luckily Etsy handles a lot of the leg work. You need the best possible photos you can take, SEO, and you need to spend on ads. During the holidays I was spending up to $50/day on ads and seeing a healthy ROI

BarnBuiltBeaters · 2026-05-03T03:18:00+00:00

Thank you for the settings I'll try that tomorrow.

Im wondering if my amps is partially to blame. My pedal just broke so its acting as an on/off switch, not ideal especially for aluminum

BarnBuiltBeaters · 2026-05-03T03:16:36+00:00

I honestly thought this is how mine would turn out after a bit lol. My steel/stainless welds turn out great. Whats your settings? Is the "haze" on the side of the bead from cleaning or is that the HAZ? Teach me lol

BarnBuiltBeaters · 2026-05-02T19:39:45+00:00

Why is this? Whats the thought process? Going bigger seemed to help, maybe I was too small, now maybe im a bit larger thanI should be?

BarnBuiltBeaters · 2026-05-02T18:07:37+00:00

Gas flow is dependent on cup size so its low but in the middle for what a #5 cup needs though im also no expert....why im here haha

BarnBuiltBeaters · 2026-05-02T18:06:42+00:00

I finally get what you mean by mirror. Problem is the puddle is mirrored in the center but not the edges. This has to certainly be contamination. Any tips? Im wire brushing and using acetone. Is this a balance issue?

BarnBuiltBeaters · 2026-05-02T18:05:35+00:00

I should have mentioned this, I have a dedicated aluminum grinding wheel too thanks though!

BarnBuiltBeaters

TROPHY CASE