Finishing up my shop

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bryce

Joined
Mar 27, 2002
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407
I bought a KMG and a varible speed setup for it
I have good workbenches

but I lack a drill press, bandsaw, heat treating oven, anvil,

my forge is in pieces due to design contraints my burner used a 3/4 inch pipe and a 3/4 inch inlet good luck getting enough air in lol

So now I am thinking instead of buying a drill press and bandsaw I could probley just use a mill for that instead I have angle grinders/recip saw's

I know people buy this mill http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=44991

I was thinking that would work for me but would probley be underpowered in some cases so I started looking everywhere and realized the next best setup up is http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42827

now am I spending too much on a milling machine?
I could get the smaller machine and spend the rest on a anvil or get a heat treating oven even

or have a big bad mill lol

I know I need mill/drill of somekind for sure though otherwise I will keep having to use work tools
 
I would buy the basic tools you need first before getting a $1K mill.A $200 floor model drill press from Home Depot or even a $90 bench model will suffice at your level. If, However you have unlimited funds,and are experienced in machine shop tooling, a mill is nice to have.
Again,you can get a serviceable oven,anvil,band saw,and drill press...all for nearly the same investment.
Stacy
 
The mini-mill you mentioned (HF#44991) is the golden standard for an HSM/knifemaker.
Assuming you have an HF store nearby, you can prolly get one for something
like ~320 (coupons + sweet talk). This one will also address your need for a drill-press, with flying colors.

The HF's own 4x6 BS, is yet again, the Golden Standard in HSM bandsaws:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93762

There were reports of ppl getting it in HF stores for $140

Assuming original budget of $1000, this should leave plenty for other tools/tooling
 
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