Blurring the Edges.: Buying, assembling, and teaching myself to use a 770MX Tormach (R) CNC milling machine. My journey from distinctly novice to relative competence.

Steve has written an excellent guide for those contemplating investing in a Tormach CNC milling machine. To make this investment with no CNC knowledge is a brave step and his book tells us his journey to get the machine delivered and installed. The book than becomes a learning reference on how to use the Tormach or any similar machine.The book will hopefully encourage and bring new younger faces to the hobby and make them realise that there is a career in 'making stuff' by embracing modern manufacturing techniques. Being an engineer seems these days to be looked down upon but it is not a second rate job. It is a wealth creating career and skill that all Western countries need to re-embrace and encourage to ensure their future success and technological independence. Well done Steve for your vision in writing this book.

Full disclosure - I have met Steve as a result of the very helpful posts he put up on a model engineering forum. He's a fantastically helpful guy and I think this comes out in the book. It's such an easy read - you're hearing from someone who has just been through the learning process and eager to pass on the knowledge he has gained.If you are thinking of buying a milling machine, this would be a great way to find out about Tormach equipment and the practicalities of CNC.If you are buying a Tormach machine, especially a mill, this book would be extremely useful, and give you some important pointers.If you are buying a 770 and new to CNC this book is absolutely essential.Well done!

Steve has produced a book that very clearly and precisely leads a prospective buyer of a CNC Mill through all the steps needed to operate this machine at a proficient level. Whilst I am not clever enough to understand everything Steve writes I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and the obvious enthusiasm Steve has for his subject. If you are seriously considering this for a hobby this will be the best purchase you could possibly make.

I have unfortunately discovered that I too am of the older generation and I am now getting into model engineering and a cnc machine. I converted my Warco WM18 and its fine but it's only been fuel for the fire!As a result I am in the middle of going through a purchase of a Tormach 1100MX from Connor at CNC Machinetools.It's going well and I expect to have the details nailed down when I'm ready to buy in a few weeks.Your book arrived last Friday and I for one am enjoying the content.Its EXACTLY the book to read prior to spending any significant amount of cash on a personal CNC, So thanks for the time and effort spent writing it, I suspect you will save me a fair bit of time and money as a result of your efforts/experience.Update. I have since purchased said 1100MX and its in my workshop. Can't wait to get it out together and make my first cuts. Steve's book was really helpful.

Loved the book. Steve Dunthorne has comprehensively captured, with not a little humour, the complete essential tasks and issues to consider when buying, assembling, tooling and operating a CNC milling machine. While I in the end did not choose a Tormach machine, "Blurring the Edges" was a great reference which I repeatedly turned to in my own purchasing process. Highly recommended.