Bench top mill/drill

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Nov 8, 2015
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35
Hey everyone. I'm thinking about purchasing a bench top mill and don't know what HP would be best.

Space is a concern, but I have a spot in my garage for the mill, 4' x 4' space.

I know someone is going to tell me to buy the biggest one I can afford, but I'm looking for more insight than that.

For making knives, is 1/2 hp enough? Or, do I need 1 hp or more?

I appreciate any advice ya'll can give me.

Thanks!
 
What do you want to use the mill for?

I use my milling machine to slot wa handles, don't need much for that. That's about it for actual work on knives. But I have built a 2x72 grinder using the mill, tool arms for small wheels and larger contact wheels, a ceramic lined aluminum platen and a bunch more jigs and fixtures. Working on a surface grinding attachment right now, and a rise and fall indicator. If you enjoy building tools and jigs, get the biggest mill you can fit (and then start thinking about where to put the lathe). I have a PM-30MV and sometimes wish I had something bigger.
 
I have that exact machine. I added the 3 axis DRO, RPM gauge, and an x-axis power feel. I use my mill for folding knives. Milling stop pin tracks. Countersinking screws holes and bearing pockets. I also use it to mill pocket clips. Works like a dream. Do I wish I had a bigger one? Sometimes, just for more power, but the footprint is small and it does all I need it to do!

If you check out my instagram, @jrbblades, there is some videos and pics of my setup. I have a rotary table and a vice. Can't wait to use it to slot some Wa handles in the future.
 
Thank you for the advice! I will be milling wa slots as well. I also want to get into milling parts/tools as well. If I can find a deal on a 1hp mill, I'm going for it. Otherwise, I will probably get the LMS 3990 also.
What do you want to use the mill for?

I use my milling machine to slot wa handles, don't need much for that. That's about it for actual work on knives. But I have built a 2x72 grinder using the mill, tool arms for small wheels and larger contact wheels, a ceramic lined aluminum platen and a bunch more jigs and fixtures. Working on a surface grinding attachment right now, and a rise and fall indicator. If you enjoy building tools and jigs, get the biggest mill you can fit (and then start thinking about where to put the lathe). I have a PM-30MV and sometimes wish I had something bigger.well and I want the
 
Look at the PM brand.

Everything is made overseas nowadays, but they seem to have good QC and quality standards, so you don't get stuck with garbage.

Get the DRO preinstalled.

yes you can always add it later, but it's easer if it's just on there.
Working tool, not more projects on the list.

Go with R8 spindle so when you get a bigger mill, all the stuff you have will still fit.

The bigger the better. Rigidity

Square column, not round column
 
Thank you for the advice! I will be milling wa slots as well. I also want to get into milling parts/tools as well. If I can find a deal on a 1hp mill, I'm going for it. Otherwise, I will probably get the LMS 3990 also.
Aside from the power of the machine, the amount of travel is pretty important as well, maybe even more so than the motor horsepower. The y-axis travel is probably the biggest limitation that I've run into with the projects I've done on the mill. My mill has 8.75" cross travel per the spec sheet, but the DRO reduces that to about 7.5". The extra travel would have saved me a lot of time on quite a few setups.
 
C Cavecloth I've had my bench top mill some months now and wish I bit the bullet earlier. I'd like to confirm the same advice the other guys have given: R8 and a DRO are musts. I tried doing some small projects without the DRO just to see - hahahaha. Nope. Without the DRO, you're only having half the fun you could have. (PS, the screen that comes with the LM DRO sucks. Drops out, looses connection, etc. I replaced mine with a cheap Kindle Fire from Amazon and it's flawless now.)

I bought this one: https://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=6550&category=1387807683 It's a little bigger than originally planned, but glad I did.

Could I have gotten by with a 1/2 or 2/3 hp machine? I probably would be fine, just slower 'cause you have to take smaller passes on some projects.

i originally bought the mill for: guard slots, hidden tang shoulders. But now that I have the machine there's a bunch of other things. For example, I mill wood and G10 for handle blanks and slabs. I make little jigs and tools I need here and there. I've repaired some stuff for my wife. ...

Also I bought this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HQMXSM2 I use it to surface and square handle materials after sawing. It's so great starting off with flat, smooth, square, and matching parts!

All in all, it was a hard decision, but it's now a center piece in the shop.
 
I have a Delta floor standing drill press and at times have wondered what I'd lose if I replaced it with a mill. It seems to me that one of the milling machines mentioned could do most of what I use the drill press for, plus a lot more.
 
Where does one start if you have no idea how to run a mill nor what a mill can do?

Is there a class? Online or I'd rather in person but how does one learn all the things you can do with a mill if you've never had any experience with mills.
 
Where does one start if you have no idea how to run a mill nor what a mill can do?

Is there a class? Online or I'd rather in person but how does one learn all the things you can do with a mill if you've never had any experience with mills.
Today "youtube" videos are informational and best place to start. Unless you have a Vocational school in your Town/City it's unlikely you can find classes offered for beginning Machinist Trade.
 
Thank you for the reply...I am great with most tools and can find my way around most work shops....but a mill is something I've never touched nor even seen someone use in person.....I'll definitely go down the mill rabbit hole of youtube....I do have a vocational school in the next town over....I'll look into what they offer.

Thanks again.
 
Ill chime in also. Ihave the little machine shop hi torque mill and LOVE it. Great for squaring up the ends of multi section wa handles and milling out the slot in the front of the bolster. Also absolutely rock solid for drilling, especially on hardened steel (though the vertical travel could be better). I (as another) use it to flatten scales and bring them to thickness, made a platen, and most recently used it to try to make a serrated knife (worked pretty well). Ive definitely run up against its limitations (travel i y and z axis) and rigidity, but have managed to deal with it. No regrets at all!

Also, i had absolutely no experience with machining - there are lots of informative youtube videos out there...
 
Ill chime in also. Ihave the little machine shop hi torque mill and LOVE it. Great for squaring up the ends of multi section wa handles and milling out the slot in the front of the bolster. Also absolutely rock solid for drilling, especially on hardened steel (though the vertical travel could be better). I (as another) use it to flatten scales and bring them to thickness, made a platen, and most recently used it to try to make a serrated knife (worked pretty well). Ive definitely run up against its limitations (travel i y and z axis) and rigidity, but have managed to deal with it. No regrets at all!

Also, i had absolutely no experience with machining - there are lots of informative youtube videos out there...

That's great to hear. Thanks for the info...I'll definitely be diving into youtube.
 
wanted to add SFWizard is a handy app for speeds and feeds just keep in mind its for full sized mills. you can change some settings to reduce HP needs
 
Thank you for the reply...I am great with most tools and can find my way around most work shops....but a mill is something I've never touched nor even seen someone use in person.....I'll definitely go down the mill rabbit hole of youtube....I do have a vocational school in the next town over....I'll look into what they offer.

Thanks again.

Get the book list from the bookstore and look at the books they use.

Also look at archive.org.
The manual machining we do was state of the art a hundred years ago.
Lots of books for free.
Get the gunsmithing books too, lots of relevant info on fitting and wood work.
 
i have a very similar one (same parts, different colour). make sure you bolt it to a heavy, solid bench; it makes a big difference. i also have a suspicion that you could upgrade it to 1hp by finding a different motor and electricals. not that i've found the stock motor to be a problem.
 
Great info....thank you all for jumping in and offering some ideas.. I'll put them to use and start figuring this out.

I remember buying my grinder set up and thinking man I just dropped $3500, I won't ever need another knife making tool again....lol.

It's a good habit to keep wanting the next best tool to help you work better and more efficiently...
 
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