Taig CNC Micro Mills
CNC-Equipped “Overbuilt” Milling Machines
Taig CNC-Equipped Micro Mill 2018 Shortbed
The Taig Micro Mill is an “overbuilt” miniature milling machine. The liberal use of steel in its construction affords superior rigidity and the ability to work on hard metals. It is equipped with a 6-speed pulley system, which yields spindle speeds from 525–5,200 rpm on the manual machine, or 1,000–10,000 RPM on the CNC and CNC-ready models.
Fully CNC-equipped Mills have 200 oz. in stepper motors on the x, y, and z axes with integral high resolution encoders; Mach3 control software, and a sophisticated bi-level chopper driver capable of 30 inch per minute speeds in single-axis rapid traverse mode. There’s also a Mill with a Digital Servo Lock System (DSLS). CNC Mills include stepper motors, cables, and a controller box, but not a computer. You can use any Windows PC running XP or later. If the computer does not have a parallel port, be sure to specify the USB Adapter accessory as well. There are several more choices to make when configuring your mill. You need to decide whether you want ballscrews or the standard leadscrews, the Digital Servo Lock System versus the standard half-stepping CNC control, the ¾ hp Variable Speed motor with DSPM versus the standard ¼ hp motor, and whether you want limit/home switches or not.
DSLS Option
This variation on the standard half-stepping controller is called the DSLS, for the Digital Servo Lock System controlling it. It uses optical encoders mounted on the stepper motors to keep track of their position as motion commands are executed, which allows the system to stop with a “limit switch” error if the position is off more than a certain small amount. This can save a valuable part from destruction should an unexpected error occur. We’ve been testing it, and have found that this system runs reliably given a feedrate of 50 inches per minute, about twice as fast as the standard system, which is useful for those who use the mill to cut plastics and other soft materials. It comes with the ER spindle and two collets, a relay box for software controlled spindle on-off (with M3/M5 commands) and another 110v accessory, such as a dust collector or mist coolant pump, you plug into the auxiliary 110v receptacle (using M8/M9).
This system also includes a license for Mach3, the popular CNC control software that runs in Windows and converts your parallel port-equipped computer into a dedicated CNC controller. Here’s some more information about it on the manufacturer’s site.
Shortbed and Longbed
The shortbed is 15.5″ long, with a travel of 9.5″ in the x axis. The longbed is 18.4″ long, with 12″ travel in x. The table size is 3.5″ × 15.5″ for the shortbed mills or 3.5″ × 18.5″ for the longbed mills. The longbed is particularly handy if you’re using Taig’s 4th axis attachment, which takes up some space on the bed. Most people think the extra x travel is worth the extra money, but if someone is very tight on space, or only works on very small projects, they might opt for the shorter bed.
Ballscrews Now Available
Ballscrews are nearly frictionless screws that rely on ball bearings recirculated by special nuts to provide motive force, rather than the pressure of screw threads against nut threads. One great advantage of them is that they eliminate backlash nearly altogether. Backlash is the gap in motion transmission that occurs when a standard screw changes direction, and pressure on one side of a thread becomes pressure on the other side. Since there always has to be some clearance between the threads of the nut driving the mill’s axis and those of the screw it turns on (or it couldn’t turn), there is always a point in any change of direction at which the screw is turning but the axis is not moving. This translates into a tiny error in the dimensions of the finished part, which the control software can try to compensate for but doesn’t always get exactly right.
For years, people tried to retrofit their Taig mills with ballscrews, hoping for faster rapids, smoother action, and much lower backlash. The right screws were difficult to obtain and required some precision machining to install correctly. Finally Taig decided to offer them pre-installed as a standard option. Running these precision-rolled 5 threads-per-inch screws and nuts puts less stress on the motors, so lost step errors become less likely, while accuracy is improved by eliminating backlash. The ball screw option is available on the 2019 longbed frame only; this model is called the 5019.
¾ HP Variable Speed Motor (VSS with DSPM)
While the standard ¼ hp continuous-duty, totally enclosed fan-cooled (TEFC) motor works well, any changes of spindle speed must be done by stopping and changing the position of the belt on the pulley cluster. For those who want to be able to vary the spindle speed with a software "S" command in G-code, Taig/Microproto has recently come out with a new option: the ¾ hp Variable Speed Spindle (VSS) motor with a Dual Symmetrical Pulley Multiplication (DSPM) transmission assembly. This affords slightly more speed on the high end (11,000 rpm) and plenty of torque on the low end, with wider belts than those used with the standard motor and pulley cluster. Unlike the standard configuration, this motor also mounts on-center, rather than off to the side. It comes with its own control box, which plugs into either the standard or DSLS controller. Taig calls this “VSS with DSPM.” It is offered on both the shortbed and longbed frames, and is compatible with any CNC mill configuration we offer.
New Variable Speed Motor motor with a Dual Symmetrical Pulley Multiplication Transmission Assembly for Taig DSLS 5019
Limit/Home Switches Option
Small, stepper-powered mills like these won’t destroy themselves like big servo-powered mills if they exceed the limits of travel; the motors won’t kill themselves by pushing against an immovable object. So limit switches haven’t been considered necessary on micro-mills like this, although they certainly don’t hurt, and can save you from losing position in a crash. But they also double as home switches, which are definitely handy to have, since they allow you to set a “home” position for all 3 axes to establish a machine-zero position without reference to the workpiece. You can save the offsets between the machine zero (home) position and the floating zeros that refer to the particular workpiece and restore them if position is lost.
Limit Switch on the XY Axis
Extended Y Axis
By using a longer ball screw and using prismatic steel bars 3 inches longer than standard, Taig made it possible to add extra travel to the Y axis, which can be critical for certain projects. The standard Y axis travel is 5.5″; this modification extends that to 8″. Much of that extra space is in front of the mill’s bed, so rigging up a mounting plate for the workpiece that cantelievers outward a few inches can give extra support to a wide workpiece.
Extended Y Axis Option Installed on a Taig Mill
USB Adapter
To run your CNC Taig on a computer that lacks a parallel port (as most modern PCs do) we suggest using a UC100 adapter, which allows it to connect via the USB port. This is required to run your CNC using a USB-equipped computers without a parallel port.
4th Axis Rotary Table and Adjustable Tailstock Option
The 4th axis rotary table accessory, used in a vertical orientation, adds a valuable functionality to the 3-axis Taig mill, enabling parts up to 4″ in diameter to be machined all the way around, or indexed to cut features in specific locations. Parts can be affixed directly to the face of its solid steel T-slotted table, or by using the included adapter, chucks can be screwed on to hold them. With a 72-tooth planetary gear run by a ball-bearing mounted worm gear, it has great torque and stability, and an angular resolution of .0125 degrees. It can also be locked in place if even more stability is required during a particular operation. An adjustable tailstock with dead center is included with the rotary table accessory for supporting the far end of a part, so that machining pressures don’t dislodge it.
Taig 5019 DSLS Mill With Optional Rotary Table, Adjustable Tailstock, and 3-Jaw Chuck
Accessories
Taig has a good collection of accessories available for their mills. We sell these accessories only with the purchase of a mill. Some of the most popular accessories are available below once you choose the mill you wish to order. After selecting a mill, be sure to scroll down to the Accessories section at the bottom of the page.
The Milling Vise, shown in several photos on this site, and a 6-piece collet set are included standard with all Taig Mills.
1030 4-Jaw Chuck: This 3¼″ diameter all-steel chuck has 4 heat-treated reversable steel jaws that can move independently and are tightened with an Allen key, allowing square rectangular, octagonal, or round stock to be centered precisely and held firmly. Its internal ¾″-16 tpi threads match the rotary table adapter. If you’re only buying one chuck to use with the rotary table, this is the one we usually recommend. Note: these chucks are only used on certain lathes and the rotary table; their internal threads don’t match the 22mm–1.5mm threads of the ER spindle.
Taig 1030 4-Jaw Chuck Accessory (for rotary table)
1050 3-Jaw Scroll Chuck: This 3-jaw chuck can hold round and hexagonal stock. Its internal ¾″-16 tpi threads match the rotary table adapter. Unlike the 4 jaw chuck, the jaws on the 3-jaw chuck all move at the same time, allowing the user to load and unload parts very quickly, using the supplied “Tommy” bars. The soft aluminum jaws on this chuck can be easily machined for greater concentricity to the rotary table’s rotation, or to fixture special parts. Additional soft jaw sets (part 1151) can be purchased if needed. Note: these chucks are only used on certain lathes and the rotary table; their internal threads don’t match the 22mm–1.5mm threads of the ER spindle.
Taig 1050 3-Jaw Chuck Accessory (for rotary table)
1060 4-Jaw Scroll Chuck: This 4-jaw chuck is good for holding square, round, or octagonal stock, and can quickly load and unload parts. Its internal ¾″-16 tpi threads match the rotary table adapter. It holds more firmly than the 3-jaw scroll chuck and its aluminum soft jaws can also be machined for greater concentricity or for fixturing special parts. Additional soft jaw sets (part 1161) can be purchased if needed. Note: these chucks are only used on certain lathes and the rotary table; their internal threads don’t match the 22mm–1.5mm threads of the ER spindle.
Taig 1060 4-Jaw Chuck Accessory (for rotary table)
Jacobs Chucks: One of the most useful things the mill can do is to drill holes in specified locations. But most drill bits won’t fit in the supplied collets, which come in a limited range of sizes. To hold them, a Jacobs chuck is used. There are four choices in Jacobs Chucks. Along with each, we include an arbor that allows them to be held in the ⅜″ collet.
- The 1090 “industrial quality” chuck which can hold drill bits from as small as they get up to ¼″ shank diameter.
- The 1091 “commercial quality” chuck which can hold drill bits from as small as they get up to ¼″ shank diameter.
- The 1092 “commercial quality” chuck which can hold drill bits from ⅛″ to ⅜″ shank diameter.
- The 1093 “commercial quality” chuck which can hold drill bits from ⅛″ to ½″ shank diameter.
Four Taig Jacobs Chuck Accessories (for drilling)
End Mills: End mills are the tools normally used to cut metal with a milling machine. There are lots of variations in these, but this is a good starter set consisting of five double-ended cutters with flat ends. Sizes are ¹⁄₁₆″ ³⁄₃₂″ ⅛″ ⁵⁄₃₂″ ³⁄₁₆″.
End Mills Set (sold together as a set)
Slitting Saw: Sometimes it’s necessary to make a cut in a piece of material that’s thinner and deeper than an endmill can be expected to accomplish. For this, a slitting saw is used. We sell a high-speed slitting saw along with an arbor that holds it in the ⅜″ collet.
Hi Speed Slitting Saw and Arbor
Fly Cutter: A piece of material may not be flat on top, or it might be desirable to mill the surface down more rapidly than can be done with end mills. For this, a fly cutter is used. It uses a ¼″ square-section cutter to sweep over the material, removing a wide swath at a time.
Fly Cutter (sold separately)
Spindle Wrenches: The ER collet system uses two opposing nuts that tighten the tapered and slitted collet into a tapered recess in the spindle, which compresses it around the tool. For this, two one-inch spindle wrenches are required. We sell this as a set of two wrenches.
Spindle Wrench (sold as a set of two)
Fixture Plate: While a vise is good for holding small parts, sometimes it’s necessary to attach larger ones to the mill bed for machining operations. With this fixture plate, and some 10-32 screws and washers, this is easy to do. This fixture plate is 4″ × 14″ × ⅝″ with holes on 1″ centers, and attaches to the bed of any Taig mill with 9 screws and T-nuts.
Fixture Plate (sold separately)
Edge Finder: When machining parts precisely, it’s helpful to know exactly where the edge of the workpiece is. Using this ¼″ shank edge finder, you can do that without damaging your tool or your part. Just touch off the side of the edge finder to the edge of your workpiece, subtract the .1″ radius of the tip, and you’ve got it.
Edge Finder (sold separately)
Boring Bar Head and Bars: Drilling holes larger than about ⅜″ can require expensive tooling and bog down the mill’s spindle. This boring bar holder, which comes with long and short boring bars, makes this possible for holes up to up to 1½″ diameter. Drill a ⅜″ pilot hole, then insert this tool into the ⅜″ collet and extend the bar incrementally until the hole is the desired size.
Boring Bar Head with Two Boring Bars (sold separately)
Authorized Dealer
We’re an authorized dealer for Taig Tools products and can offer these and other products found on the Taig Tools site, including any accessories when purchased with a mill, for 10% off list price. (This offer is limited to customers in the USA.) Please email us for pricing on any Taig Tools products, accessories, or lathes that aren’t featured here. We also can sell these tools to customers worldwide — call or email us for a shipping quote to your location.
Manufacturer: Taig Tools, MicroProto Systems
Versions Sold
Click one or many checkboxes below to filter choices. Click the info ⓘ icon next to a checkbox to scroll for info about that option.
2018 CNC Equipped Taig Mill
¼ HP Motor, Shortbed, Leadscrews
List Price: $2295
Our Price: $2065
2018 CNC Equipped Taig Mill with Limit Switches
Limit Switches, ¼ HP Motor, Shortbed, Leadscrews
List Price: $3470
Our Price: $3123
2018 CNC Equipped Taig Mill with VSS/DSPM
VSS Motor with DSPM Drive, Shortbed, Leadscrews
List Price: $2795
Our Price: $2515
2018 CNC Equipped Taig Mill with VSS/DSPM and Limit Switches
VSS Motor with DSPM Drive, Limit Switches, Shortbed, Leadscrews
List Price: $2970
Our Price: $2673
2019 CNC Equipped Taig Mill
¼ HP Motor, Longbed, Leadscrews
List Price: $2495
Our Price: $2246
2019 CNC Equipped Taig Mill with Extended Y
Extended Y, ¼ HP Motor, Longbed, Leadscrews
List Price: $2565
Our Price: $2309
2019 CNC Equipped Taig Mill with Limit Switches
Limit Switches, ¼ HP Motor, Longbed, Leadscrews
List Price: $2670
Our Price: $2403
2019 CNC Equipped Taig Mill with Limit Switches and Extended Y
Limit Switches, Extended Y, ¼ HP Motor, Longbed, Leadscrews
List Price: $2740
Our Price: $2466
2019 CNC Equipped Taig Mill with VSS/DSPM
VSS Motor with DSPM Drive, Longbed, Leadscrews
List Price: $2995
Our Price: $2696
2019 CNC Equipped Taig Mill with VSS/DSPM and Extended Y
VSS Motor with DSPM Drive, Extended Y, Longbed, Leadscrews
List Price: $3065
Our Price: $2759
2019 CNC Equipped Taig Mill with VSS/DSPM and Limit Switches
VSS Motor with DSPM Drive, Limit Switches, Longbed, Leadscrews
List Price: $3170
Our Price: $2853
2019 CNC Equipped Taig Mill with VSS/DSPM, Limit Switches, and Extended Y
VSS Motor with DSPM Drive, Limit Switches, Extended Y, Longbed, Leadscrews
List Price: $3240
Our Price: $2916
5019 CNC Equipped Taig Mill
¼ HP Motor, Longbed, Ballscrews
List Price: $2995
Our Price: $2696
5019 CNC Equipped Taig Mill with Extended Y
Extended Y, ¼ HP Motor, Longbed, Ballscrews
List Price: $3095
Our Price: $2786
5019 CNC Equipped Taig Mill with Limit Switches
Limit Switches, ¼ HP Motor, Longbed, Ballscrews
List Price: $3170
Our Price: $2853
5019 CNC Equipped Taig Mill with Limit Switches and Extended Y
Limit Switches, Extended Y, ¼ HP Motor, Longbed, Ballscrews
List Price: $3270
Our Price: $2943
5019 CNC Equipped Taig Mill with VSS/DSPM
VSS Motor with DSPM Drive, Longbed, Ballscrews
List Price: $3495
Our Price: $3146
5019 CNC Equipped Taig Mill with VSS/DSPM and Extended Y
VSS Motor with DSPM Drive, Extended Y, Longbed, Ballscrews
List Price: $3595
Our Price: $3236
5019 CNC Equipped Taig Mill with VSS/DSPM and Limit Switches
VSS Motor with DSPM Drive, Limit Switches, Longbed, Ballscrews
List Price: $3670
Our Price: $3303
5019 CNC Equipped Taig Mill with VSS/DSPM, Limit Switches, and Extended Y
VSS Motor with DSPM Drive, Limit Switches, Extended Y, Longbed, Ballscrews
List Price: $3770
Our Price: $3393
2018 CNC Equipped DSLS Taig Mill
DSLS Control, ¼ HP Motor, Shortbed, Leadscrews
List Price: $2795
Our Price: $2516
2018 CNC Equipped DSLS Taig Mill with Limit Switches
DSLS Control, Limit Switches, ¼ HP Motor, Shortbed, Leadscrews
List Price: $3970
Our Price: $3573
2018 CNC Equipped DSLS Taig Mill with VSS/DSPM
DSLS Control, VSS Motor with DSPM Drive, Shortbed, Leadscrews
List Price: $3295
Our Price: $2996
2018 CNC Equipped DSLS Taig Mill with VSS/DSPM and Limit Switches
DSLS Control, VSS Motor with DSPM Drive, Limit Switches, Shortbed, Leadscrews
List Price: $3470
Our Price: $3123
2019 CNC Equipped DSLS Taig Mill
DSLS Control, ¼ HP Motor, Longbed, Leadscrews
List Price: $2995
Our Price: $2696
2019 CNC Equipped DSLS Taig Mill with Extended Y
DSLS Control, Extended Y, ¼ HP Motor, Longbed, Leadscrews
List Price: $3065
Our Price: $2759
2019 CNC Equipped DSLS Taig Mill with Limit Switches
DSLS Control, Limit Switches, ¼ HP Motor, Longbed, Leadscrews
List Price: $3170
Our Price: $2853
2019 CNC Equipped DSLS Taig Mill with Limit Switches and Extended Y
DSLS Control, Limit Switches, Extended Y, ¼ HP Motor, Longbed, Leadscrews
List Price: $3240
Our Price: $2916
2019 CNC Equipped DSLS Taig Mill with VSS/DSPM
DSLS Control, VSS Motor with DSPM Drive, Longbed, Leadscrews
List Price: $3495
Our Price: $3146
2019 CNC Equipped DSLS Taig Mill with VSS/DSPM and Extended Y
DSLS Control, VSS Motor with DSPM Drive, Extended Y, Longbed, Leadscrews
List Price: $3565
Our Price: $3209
2019 CNC Equipped DSLS Taig Mill with VSS/DSPM and Limit Switches
DSLS Control, VSS Motor with DSPM Drive, Limit Switches, Longbed, Leadscrews
List Price: $3670
Our Price: $3303
2019 CNC Equipped DSLS Taig Mill with VSS/DSPM, Limit Switches, and Extended Y
DSLS Control, VSS Motor with DSPM Drive, Limit Switches, Extended Y, Longbed, Leadscrews
List Price: $3740
Our Price: $3366
5019 CNC Equipped DSLS Taig Mill
DSLS Control, ¼ HP Motor, Longbed, Ballscrews
List Price: $3495
Our Price: $3146
5019 CNC Equipped DSLS Taig Mill with Extended Y
DSLS Control, Extended Y, ¼ HP Motor, Longbed, Ballscrews
List Price: $3595
Our Price: $3236
5019 CNC Equipped DSLS Taig Mill with Limit Switches
DSLS Control, Limit Switches, ¼ HP Motor, Longbed, Ballscrews
List Price: $3670
Our Price: $3303
5019 CNC Equipped DSLS Taig Mill with Limit Switches and Extended Y
DSLS Control, Limit Switches, Extended Y, ¼ HP Motor, Longbed, Ballscrews
List Price: $3770
Our Price: $3393
5019 CNC Equipped DSLS Taig Mill with VSS/DSPM
DSLS Control, VSS Motor with DSPM Drive, Longbed, Ballscrews
List Price: $3995
Our Price: $3596
5019 CNC Equipped DSLS Taig Mill with VSS/DSPM and Extended Y
DSLS Control, VSS Motor with DSPM Drive, Extended Y, Longbed, Ballscrews
List Price: $4095
Our Price: $3686
5019 CNC Equipped DSLS Taig Mill with VSS/DSPM and Limit Switches
DSLS Control, VSS Motor with DSPM Drive, Limit Switches, Longbed, Ballscrews
List Price: $4170
Our Price: $3753
5019 CNC Equipped DSLS Taig Mill with VSS/DSPM, Limit Switches, and Extended Y
DSLS Control, VSS Motor with DSPM Drive, Limit Switches, Extended Y, Longbed, Ballscrews
List Price: $4270
Our Price: $3843
Add Accessories
4th Axis Rotary Table with 1150 Adjustable Tailstock
Price shown is for standard CNC mills. DSLS mills are $100 more due to Encoder on the Motor
List Price: $600
Our Price: $540
UC100 USB Adapter
Required for USB-equipped Computers Without a Parallel Port
List Price: $150
Our Price: $135
1030 4-Jaw Chuck
3¼″ diameter self-centering; 22mm × 1.5mm thread mount jaws that are adjusted independently in pairs.
Reversable range from ⅛ to 3¼″. These chucks are only used on certain lathes and the rotary table.
List Price: $75
Our Price: $67
1050 3-Jaw Scroll Chuck
3¼″ diameter self-centering scroll chuck with reversable aluminum soft jaws and a steel body; ¾ – 16 thread
This is the easiest chuck to use as the jaws all move at the same time. These chucks are only used on certain lathes and the rotary table.
List Price: $70
Our Price: $63
1060 4-Jaw Scroll Chuck
3¼″ diameter self-centering scroll chuck with aluminum soft jaws and a steel body; ¾ – 16 thread
These chucks are only used on certain lathes and the rotary table.
List Price: $76
Our Price: $68
1090 Jacobs Chuck with Arbor
Very small to ¼″ shank diameter; “Industrial Quality”
List Price: $53
Our Price: $48
1091 Jacobs Chuck with Arbor
Very small to ¼″ shank Diameter; “Commercial Quality”
List Price: $23
Our Price: $21
1092 Jacobs Chuck with Arbor
¹⁄₁₆ to ⅜″ shank diameter; “Commercial Quality”
List Price: $24
Our Price: $22
1093 Jacobs Chuck with Arbor
⅛ to ½″ shank diameter; “Commercial Quality”
List Price: $30
Our Price: $27
1230 End Mills Starter Set
Five double-ended cutters with flat ends
¹⁄₁₆″ ³⁄₃₂″ ⅛″ ⁵⁄₃₂″ ³⁄₁₆″
List Price: $58
Our Price: $52
1111 Hi Speed Slitting Saw with Arbor
Arbor is for ⅜″ Collet
.032 × 2½″ diameter
List Price: $21
Our Price: $19
1224 Fly Cutter
Left hand tool bit included
1¼ to 2½″ diameter, ¾″-16 thread mount
List Price: $20
Our Price: $18
1310 1″ Spindle Wrenches, Set of Two
List Price: $15
Our Price: $14
2010 Fixture Plate
For short and longbed mills
4″ × 14″ × ⅝″ dimensions. 56 10–32 holes on 1″ centers.
List Price: $65
Our Price: $59
2035 Boring Bar Head with Long and Short Boring Bars
Adjustable to Create Holes from ⅜″ up to 1½″ in diameter
Boring head has ⅜″ shank.
List Price: $50
Our Price: $45
2228 Edge Finder
¼″ Shank and .1″ Tip Radius
List Price: $15
Our Price: $13