Re: Best place to buy a PCNC 1100
Well, I have bought both of mine used, so that is an option. BTW, my plan is to sell my second one in the upcoming months, once I retrofit it completely, so if you are close to TX, that could be an option for you.
When it comes to what buy and what don't buy, that will be a tough one. I wouldn't buy it without the stand because chances are you will want to use coolant and to make a stand which is coolant proof will most likely cost you as much as what theirs go for. One thing that you will learn with Tormach is that their stuff is really not ridiculously priced. That is, when you factor what it goes for, you really do not save anything by doing it yourself.
I use my own computer but that is only just because I get "free" computers with ease. That being said, I just bought their controller and it is really not that expensive (about $750) when you consider that buying all the parts will be something close to $750 anyway.
You will need tons and tons of tool holders. Luckily you can buy these at your leisure. I would get one of their TTS starting packs. Tool holders are not that expensive either, but they pile up eventually. What I do is to buy a couple every other month. Once you reach something like 40, you will be in good shape. Some people get addicted and prefer to get somewhere closer to a 100!
You can live without the Power Draw Bar, but it is quite possible you will be thinking about plunging a knife through your heart every time you need to change a tool.
The side stands for monitors and tool holders are a very nice addition but you can also live without these. They are not that expensive, though.
Forget about the Duality Lathe. Not certain what you would use it for knife making. but it is more of a toy than an actual tool. I had one and sold it without even trying to use it.
Not certain if you will need a fourth axis, but that is something you can always get later on.
One item which I think most knife makers use is the TOSA tool plate. Everybody will tell you is on the expensive side, but they will also tell you how it has saved their life.
I like the Tormach vise, but for years I used an old vise I got from the CL, so that is something which you can acquire at your convenience.
Hopefully there are enough pointers to get your ideas cranking.
I document my CNC Experience at CNC Dude's Youtube channel. Check it out!