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Help with first Drill/Mill

H

hp2spare

Joined
May 26, 2006
Messages
67
I'm planning on getting my first vertical milling machine. I know the drill/mill concept is pretty popular (and looked good to me). I typically work in 1095, but may be doing more with ATS-34 in the near future. Most of my projects are less than a foot in total length, but I'd like the option to work on something up to 24".

Does anybody have a recommendation on which features I should be looking for? Brand preference?


PS. I also wanted to attempt to start making some Bali's. I've got some martial artist friends who have been requesting them. They are Tae-Kwan-Do guys, us Kung-Fu guys stick with fixed blades :)
 
i got a mini mill i know its small but i planed on using it as a starter anyhow
its R8 tooling will swap into a bigger mill if i find that i need one
for knife work im getting by as the largest thing ive doon is cut some blood grooves/fullers with a 1.5 inch ballmill (way over sized for this mill but making light cuts got the job done
my .02
oo and i realy didnt have the cash or space to get a a large mill at the time
butch
 
Thanks Butcher,

Is the http://www.grizzly.com/products/G1005Z overkill? I haven't used a milling machine since high school, and that was so long ago, I have no idea what brand it was... I do rember it was taller than I am and weighed more than my car, so I'm a little hesitant about getting something small for fear it couldn't handle the work.

I currently use the 1015 Grizzly grinder (2x72) as my only belt grinder/buffer and an 8" bench grinder with the fine wheel replaced by a leather sharpening wheel as my knife shop. I've also got a 12" toaster oven and a one brick forge for heat treating.

I am thinking about stepping up from carbon steel to ATS-34; and from fixed blade knives to folders and butterfly knives. In order to harden stainless, I'd move from the one brick forge to an evenheat oven. I was thinking that at the same time I'd get a milling machine so to give me enough precision to start making folders and butterfly knives. I enjoy Kung-Fu, but have a number of friends who are requesting the bali's for their Tae Kwan Do.

So once again... am I barking up the right tree? Or am I getting in over my head?
 
spend the extra money and get a GOOD precision vice to go along with your mini-mill. I just got one from Little Machine Shop and I am actually using my min-mill now..lol
 
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