u/Edione01

Looking for advice on a first VMC purchase for an aluminium-focused job shop.

Main use would be:

- Aluminium

- Small to medium production runs

- General machining and prototyping

- Mostly parts under 300 mm

Machine specs:

- BT40 spindle (BT30 available but I don't think it will matter at 8k rpm - correct me if I'm wrong)

- 8000 rpm direct-coupled spindle

- Siemens 828D Basic M control

- Linear guideways

- 400 × 300 × 400 mm travels (X/Y/Z)

- 600 × 300 mm table

- 20-tool twin-arm ATC

- Machine weight around 3.3 tons

The alternative I'm considering is a larger machine with roughly 500 × 400 × 450 mm travels, but it costs almost 60% more. I don't trust used machines in my country.

For those running job shops:

1. Would a 400 × 300 × 400 travel machine become limiting quickly?

2. How often do you actually need more than 300 mm of Y travel in general job-shop work?

3. If you were starting from scratch today, would you prioritize a larger machine or spend the extra money on tooling, fixtures, and working capital?

4. Any regrets from buying a machine that was too small—or too large—for your first VMC?

Thanks!