VMC866 vs VMC1160: What to Choose

The VMC866 and the VMC1160 are two of the most popular Handemo vertical machining centers, but they are sized for different work. One is an easy entry into vertical machining; the other is a bigger machine for larger castings and boxes. This guide compares the two so you can pick the one that fits the parts you run.

The VMC866

The VMC866 is an 800 mm-class vertical machining center. It is compact and affordable, and it is a good fit for small-to-medium plates, brackets, molds and toolroom work where floor space matters. It is easy to run, quick to set up and very approachable for a shop that is starting to do its own machining.

For a small shop or a toolroom, the VMC866 gives a lot of machine for the money. It will turn out brackets, dies, molds and small housings without taking up too much floor space. It is the machine you can put next to a bench and use all day.

The VMC1160

The VMC1160 is a 1100 mm-class machine with a larger table and longer travel. It handles bigger castings and boxes without extra setups, and it carries more rigidity for heavier cuts and larger work. If your parts are getting bigger, or you machine more castings, the extra travel pays off.

The larger table and longer travel mean you can fit a bigger part and reach more of it in one setup. That cuts down on handling time and helps the process repeat. For a shop that runs bigger work, the VMC1160 is the machine.

What to Compare

When you choose between the two, the table size and travel are the first things to check.

• The VMC866 has a smaller table and shorter travel.
• The VMC1160 has a larger table and longer travel.
• The bigger machine holds heavier cuts and larger parts.

If your largest common workpiece fits comfortably on an 800 mm table, the VMC866 is the most machine for the money. If it does not fit, you need the VMC1160.

When the Smaller Machine Wins

The VMC866 wins on things other than size. It costs less, it takes up less floor space, and it is easier for an operator to learn. For a shop that runs mostly small parts, an 800 mm machine is enough, and you save money and floor space.

It is also the better choice if you run a wide mix of small work. A compact machine is easy to set up for a new job and quick to move between parts. That is what a job shop wants.

When You Need the Bigger Machine

The VMC1160 wins when your parts outgrow the smaller table. If you regularly run castings and boxes that are too big for an 800 mm table, stepping up to the 1100 mm machine means you are not fighting the travel. You can machine the part in fewer setups.

The bigger machine also has more rigidity. If you take heavy cuts on large parts, the 1100 mm machine holds up better. That shows up in a cleaner finish and truer geometry.

The Budget Question

Budget is always a factor, and here is the honest guide. If you can get away with a smaller machine, it saves you money and floor space. But if you buy a machine that is too small for your work, you will be fighting it every day, which costs more in the long run.

Match the machine to the largest part you realistically make, not the one you hope to make someday. A buy a small machine for small work and a big machine for big work.

How to Decide

Look at the largest part on your bench. If it fits comfortably on an 800 mm table and most of your work is small, the VMC866 gives you the most machine for the money. If you regularly run parts bigger than that, the VMC1160 is the one so you are not fighting the travel.

We are happy to talk through your parts and help you pick the right size. Use the contact form and we will come back to you.