How to pick a Milling machine?

Crayola

Crayola

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
Messages
3,831
Howdy all!

One day I will own a better grinder, a band saw, and a mill. The other 2 I am cool on, but mills still amaze me. Lots of mills out there, lots of "mystery" brand mills, used vs. new, etc.

Are there any general tips on sellecting a mill? Size/weight, etc? Suppose I want one that I could later add CNC stuff too, what then?

Just curious guys, thanks!
 
Karl,
Like was said somewhere else, just get an MSC catalog and tear out the pages, tape em to the wall, and start throwing darts at em. Anything you hit will do fine :)
Research, research, research...Do a search on milling machines on all the forums and read up. I'm on my 4th or 5th one and pretty happy with it, but I travelled the heartburn road many times. CNC mills are getting cheaper and cheaper so by the time you can get one, the price might be right.
Unless you are into production, a good, solid table top mill/drill will do anything you will need. MikeO just got an MSC brand one and I'm impressed.
 
With me the choice came down to where I was going to put it (down in the basement) and voltage available (110/220).

Moving the machine into the basement meant that the thing had to break down to pieces that could be carried by two men down a flight of stairs.

I opted for a tabletop machine and a quality vise...works fine for everything that I have asked it to do.
 
Kit has given some excellent advice. Just about any machine will do for the first-timer, but let me add to that. I say that if you've never used a mill before, then perhaps you will best be served by getting a tabletop like George's perhaps. A great place to begin research is mini-lathe.com and click on the section for the mini-mill. There is tons of info there.

I'm actually helping a friend get started this very same way right now. It's probably the best, low-cost way to learn milling, and these little mills can really do a great job when set up correctly! I've looked, and the best deal on these machines are at Homier right now.

http://www.homier.com/default.asp?page=categories.asp?dept=1

Let us know what you decide. :D
 
Mark that mill "looks" like the HF version; do you know whether it's the same tool? If so there might be a HF store locally so you'd save shipping (and at least here HF will dicker on price if you catch them on the right day).

While we're talking about milling, let me suggest that you not use the chuck to hold tools... Yeah I know, anyone with half a brain would've told me better but beside being cheap I'm lazy and thought I'd save myself some money (no collets) and time. That was dumb.
 
If you go to Mini-lathe.com and check out the mini-mill section, there is a comparison of all the mills. The same mill is sold by Grizzly, Harbor Freight, Homier, Micro Mark, and one or two others that I can't seem to remember. The one at Homier is the cheapest right now, and the review of it was pretty favorable. I like the idea of it being able to take R-8 collets too.
 
What Jeff says about using R8 collets is right on the money. Also show your selection to a buddy that is a machinest to make sure the head is one that can be dialed in in both directions. There are some out there that can only be squared in one direction and they will drive you nuts trying to make a smooth cut.
Good luck
 
ddavelarsen said:
Jeff, sorry I called you Mark - some things just ain't fair! :D
Click to expand...

LOL! Hey Dave, I did catch that. It's all good as long as you don't call me Indian George! :D :D :D :footinmou
 
Thanks everyone for the help. I think my next stop is to acquire a MSC catalog and read it often. I picked up a great book on CNC programming from the library (2002 book so quite current) and the CNC stuff looked tough, but quite interesting. Kit, perhaps as you say when I am ready for that the price might be right.

I just got a new job in an iron foundry so after I get settled there I think I'll head over to the machine shop and chat it up with the guys there. Maybe if I help them out after my work is done they'll show me a thing or two. Definitely a new grinder to replace my Sears 2x42 will be my next big tool purchase, so I have plenty of time to learn about mills. I will give the tabletop mills another look for sure. Thanks for the help!
 
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