Harbor freight mini mill questions

Will52100

Will52100

Joined
Dec 4, 2001
Messages
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I've got a Smithy 3 in 1, and it works, but most times I leave it set up as a precision drill press or as a lathe. I keep looking at the HF mini mill as a stand alone just for guards. I don't really need it, but am considering it for the convenience of not having to spend 30+ minutes of re setting my Smithy just to do a guard, then changing the set up once again. I know it's not in the league of a real mill, but I've seen that it has a two speed transmission and variable speed. Looks like it'd benefit from a belt conversion as well.

Mainly what I'm looking at is I've already got collets and mills, and it doesn't take up much table space, and it's easy to change speeds on and set up vs. the 3 in 1 I've got. I'm thinking it'd pretty much be a dedicated machine for guards.

Opinions?
 
People will tell you not to buy one, ignore them.

I have had one for many years and it has belt conversion and DRO. I have used it for many hundreds of parts and for knifemaking it is good for guards and a blessing when needing to get bolster to handle perfect.

It has a small foot print and does not require heavy machinery and hundreds of dollars to move :)
 
Thanks. Like I said, I don't really need it, but am thinking of ways to streamline and one of the biggest time eaters I have is changing over with the 3 in 1. Not to mention speed changes on it is a PITA. It'd be a pure convenience purchase if I do get it. Even if I had a Bridgeport, I think I'd like it just for guard operations. After seeing the plastic gears that tend to break I'm also thinking the belt conversion would be the way to go as well. If I do get it I'll wait on a 25% off coupon.
 
I bought mine about a year ago and love it.
I didn't do the belt conversion...yet.
Having a bridgeport or a tormac would be way cooler and more rigid, but this mini mill works for me so far!
Look into the gas shock upgrade too if you haven't already.
 
I picked one up on CL for 120 and so far it's been great for slotting my wa handles and drilling more precisely than my craftsman press.
I just got the belt upgrade but haven't done it yet. I wouldn't hesitate to get a second one if the price was right, just for drilling. It's pretty good, and I am not very fond of import tools.
 
Thanks, I'll look into the gas shock upgrade. I've done a lot of work on the Smithy, but I've about figured out the only combination machine that's worth having is a refrigerator/freezer.
 
My Grizzly mini-mill was one of the most important purchases I ever made.
Got mine in '99 or 2000 and still use it on almost every knife.
 
If you get one download the PDF of the mini mill manual from littlemachineshop.com. it's free and has good info on tramming the mill. Plan on a few hours to take it apart and clean everything. It's one of the many Sieg X2 clones and there is a lot of information available, and a few helpful communities dedicated to them. For the room they take up, and if you are willing to take small bites and go slow I think they are really worthwhile.

Be sure to budget for a decent vice.
 
Don Hanson III said:
I'd buy a Little Machine Shop mill or a Grizzly before a Harbor Freight one!!!
Click to expand...

You do pay extra for those, they are all made in the same factory bu tthe QC is better on the Griz and LMS Versions

I have had no issue with my HF mini mill and use every day when I am in the shop. Working as a drill press alone is a big plus.

Some mods I have on mine that make life easier is belt drive conversion, DRO and I have an air wrench to quickly remove tooling in seconds. It really beats using a wrench and bar
 
AVigil said:
You do pay extra for those, they are all made in the same factory bu tthe QC is better on the Griz and LMS Versions

I have had no issue with my HF mini mill and use every day when I am in the shop. Working as a drill press alone is a big plus.

Some mods I have on mine that make life easier is belt drive conversion, DRO and I have an air wrench to quickly remove tooling in seconds. It really beats using a wrench and bar
Click to expand...

Avigil, which DRO do you use? I don't mean to derail the thread so if you don't want to post it could you pm me the type.
 
Thanks for the info, your making me want one for sure now, I'd been trying to talk myself out of it. What is the air shock good for? I'm no machinist, just a jack leg whittler. I do use the indicator marks, but it's more to know to go back to the same place for repeatability than figuring how much to take off. I think I'll get the unit and then get the belt drive upgrade and wait on the plastic gear to break before modifying.
 
greenjebadiah said:
Avigil, which DRO do you use? I don't mean to derail the thread so if you don't want to post it could you pm me the type.
Click to expand...


I have used 2 on my mini mill. The first one used scales and a read out, it is nice unit but kinda fritzed out after years of use and the company went out of buisness.

Currently I use these scales http://www.grizzly.com/products/6-Remote-Digital-Readout/T26625

Grizzly has a good selection to custom build your dro.

you do need to make your own brackets for your mini mill
 
AVigil said:
I have used 2 on my mini mill. The first one used scales and a read out, it is nice unit but kinda fritzed out after years of use and the company went out of buisness.

Currently I use these scales http://www.grizzly.com/products/6-Remote-Digital-Readout/T26625

Grizzly has a good selection to custom build your dro.

you do need to make your own brackets for your mini mill
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link, I'll check them out.

The air shock will help with backlash of the z axis and also with the head drop.
I say this, but I still haven't done the upgrade to mine since there's a million other things I'm spending money on.
You'll see once (if) you get it. The fine adjustment knob will do ok, but occasionally the head will drop into your work if it's not locked.
 
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