Benchtop mill?

F

Frog

Joined
Oct 10, 1998
Messages
63
Thinking of doing some folders. What is best benchtop milling machine? Also have seen combination machines. Alot out there what do you think is best? I would like to stay around a $1000 but interested in higher or lower. What is best bang for the buck for knife maker??????????????
 
your best bet is a taiwanese mill drill..you should be able to find a good used one for around $500...if you look and are patient you can find a very good larger mill (american) for $1000 or under...depends on where you live...STAY AWAY from those combo machines..they are pieces of junk..i have twice counselled people not to get them and twice they ignored me and then told me later i was right...save up..get a good used machine and a good used lathe later..if you have the space you can usually get great deals on fairly large machines but they are often very heavy....look around..there are a couple site that sell used machinery on the net...check them out for ball park figures. id send you a url but my computer crashed a couple of weeks ago and i lost all that stuff i have an old hardinge bro horz mill with a small bridgeport vertical head on it, its old and loose but works ok for knife stuff..also a 10" south bend that was made during ww2....plenty of wear but i work around that too....got both for around $1500 total...after looking for quite a while...

------------------
http://www.mayoknives.com




[This message has been edited by tom mayo (edited 05 December 1999).]
 
I agree with Tom!
To make folders you will need a much heavier duty mill than you will a lathe. The combo machines are for making craft thingies!!
Dont forget, once you have a heavy duty mill, you can make belt grinders, and all kinds of other knifemaking goodies!
I would recommend the largest mill you can afford. Bridgeports can be had for as little as $800 if you are lucky.
For making folder parts, I cant see anything bigger than a benchtop lathe, I would love to have a Hardinge tool room lathe but that's BIG BUCKS! I am very happy with my Pazzi bench top model! It cost just over $1600 but, I'm sure my grandkids will be fighting over it!
Neil

------------------
Update in process! New knives, pictures, Sheaths!!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html


 
i have a bench top lathe too, i don't make folders so i have very little use for it. do you guys know where to buy a small surface grinder, bench top if possible. i need a mill too, anyone have or use a jet vertical mill?
 
Magnum,
The Bridgeport clone that Jet makes is a good solid machine for the money! It does not have the same quality as a Bridgeport though. I have seen them stand up to some hard use over the years in the shops I've worked in. If I can't find a good deal on a Bridgeport over the next few months, I will probably buy one myself.
Neil

------------------
Update in process! New knives, pictures, Sheaths!!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html


 
thanks for the advice, i'm looking at model jvm-836-1 could you tell me what one of these goes for? i have many uses for one, besides knives.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top