Harbor Freight mill/drill

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RARanney

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Does anyone have one of the full size Harbor Freight knee mill/drill machines? If yes, do you like it?
 
Given the dollars involved, consider spending a few more for one sold by a supplier that stocks parts so you don't have to throw it out down the road.

Or consider, the machinist guys swear by old American machines as best, many still have parts available and used US mills available for less dollars than new Chinese.

Down the quality scale, Taiwan next, China last.
 
I have been a machinist for 20 yrs and worked in many shops in the N.W. and I can tell you that imported jap and chinese machine tools far outnumber American made machines there must be a reason? Personaly I do owen the machine you are talking about and have been happy with its performance.For the price of it new you can't touch a used bridgport mill in any condition.Also it takes standerd R-8 collets that are the same as the bridgports. B.T.W. didn't we have this argument about imports in the 70's after the so called gas shortage? And look at what the american people are driving now !
 
I was talking to a guy who owns a local machine shop yesterday. He's going to make a new spindle for my antique benchtop lathe since the one that came with it is bent and we are unable to identify the taper in the standard tables. He put the thing in an optical comparator and will make me an exact replacement. He says that because of the advent of CNC the old machines are almost worthless now. He offered me any of four Bridgeports that he's got in a barn for $200 each.
 
Peter, Your story is like like the one I have heard for years about the widow that decides to sell her dead husbands old dusty chevrolet in the barn for $500 and it turns out to be a 1955 Corvette. I think you are full of cow pucky! By the way...You have mail
 
Bridgeport mills are outselling CNC mills by a bunch right now.

Why?

Because of their ease of use, cost, and productivity potential.

The shop that I'm associated with has 4 Bridgeport machines, and 21 CNC machines of various configurations.

The Bridgeports (manual mill) gets the call on one offs, small parts, and prototypes, as well as long production runs for the smaller parts.

Remember...a CNC machine needs to have programs written for it, either in conversational, or G code type, and most programs for simple parts are just too long, so by the time a machinist with programming ability, or a programmer writes the program from the CAD dwawing, a good manual machinist can have the part completed.

If this guy is selling Bridgeports for $200.00 each, I want his name, address, and phone number, so I can buy them.

I have my doubts.
 
This would appear to be too good to be true. You can't get a starter collection of collets and cutters for $200.00!

If this is true and they're west of the rockies, I'd be interested.

jmx
 
Howdy There......!
$200 milling machines.....! I would double your money and come get one..! I would like to get into that deal....!
Send me email...!

"Possum"
 
Sounds a little like the old "get surplus Jeeps in the crate for $50.00".
That never happened either.
 
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