I haz mill I iz machinist

W

White Rabbit

Joined
Jul 23, 2009
Messages
155
I recently took my first step towards what some would consider machining, but I would refer to as "expensive tinkering" with the purchase of a mill drill lathe... and I'm stoked!

I have very little experience with machining, mostly just some wood turning and work on my delta drill press, but I've always wanted to get into it and I decided a $500 foray into it would be better than more bandsaw blades anyways ;P.

The tool is (as far as I can tell) a late 1950s early 1960s Maximat Standard. It needs some work but for $500 it looked like a hell of a deal (hopefully I'm not mistaken). It has separate drive heads for the lathe and mill so it shouldn't be such a bear to switch between tasks.

Now comes the next step in me spending money (sort of like an endless path really): tooling.

I was wondering if you guys had any recommendations for what I should be getting. I had figured on an edge finder, drop indicator, tilt vise, live center and chuck for the lathe (not included) as well as a drill chuck, set of collets, and some endmills for the mill. Its coming with a toolpost holder so I should be good on that account. anything I'm forgetting?

Any advice or anything you've heard about the machine would be great

PS I also have to get it from Florida to Boston... fun times ;P
 
Congrats! Should be a fun to tinker with.

Pics or it didn't happen :)
 
Hey, you got a mill, I just sold a mill... oh wait... thanks for the deal.
My big Wells Index as a vise on it, man I would be lost without that.
 
Dude, I have NO idea how you did not find anything closer!!! The market for machinery in FLA is pretty dry and expensive. Anyhow, good for you. Find out what size lathe tooling you need and get indexable carbide insert tooling, for me grinding HSS tools sucks.


PICTURES!!!!!! COME ON ALREADY!!!!!:thumbup::D
 
Congrats on getting into the addiction of machining! I have NOT done a knife on a mill, but Lord knows I have done a LOT of other projects with it! You'll be amazed at what all you can do with the lathe as well.

The FIRST tool I would buy is a quality dial indicator with a good magnetic base! What looks flat, and measures flat with the scale is NOT always true! The dial indicator will save you a heartbreak! There is nothing worse than to lose 10-12 hours worth of work to too deep of a cut or grind... Not to mention, a mill of that age could have a warped base that needs adjustment.

Now break out the MSC catalog or the one that Jason linked and start making a list!

Charlie
 
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