I need a new drill press...or a mill?

AVigil said:
When considering a mill take into consideration how and who is going to move it? It is easy to hit "buy it" but when it comes be ready to get it where it needs to be.
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I'll second that, I bought mine and the guy loaded it with a forklift into my truck. When I got home I had to pull the head off and then unloaded each piece with my cherry picker. Never do that again. Renting a trailer is cheap
 
I'm in the same boat, Brian. My drill press just isn't cutting it for me anymore and I'm really looking to get a more precise drill but like the idea of milling here and there. I was close to buying a LMS 3990 for $900 then thought about the Precision Matthews PM25MV for $1600. I don't know if I can justify the PM and it may be more than I need but it does come with the belt drive and DRO. Now however, the LMS 4962 (Sieg X2D) looks good for $600. Is the extra $300 for the 3990 worth it? I believe the $300 only gets you the higher power brushless motor.
 
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Well, I can get the HF mini mill for under $500 shipped to my door, which isn't bad. Mostly I'm going to be using it as a drill press, but I'd like the ability to mill liners and shield pockets for slipjoints. I'm really not going to be using it for heavy milling. I'd like to have something heavier, but I think this will work just fine. It's kind of like a grinder. If I decide to upgrade soon, I'll be able to get most of it back.
 
Here's my 2 cents.....I work as an aerospace machinist and knives are my hobby passion...I have access to the best of machines and I have to say get the biggest heaviest machine you can fit in your space. The Knee is a bonus because tramming the head/quill is going to be a pain every time you have to raise and lower the darn thing. Keep you eye open for USED they are out there and just a little cleaning will give you a much better machine than the HF mini....You will find ways to use the machine to make better tools for knife making as time passes and HF machines will limit you later on as you discover all the uses for a Mill...The Mill is also the tip of the iceberg make sure you set aside a chunk of change for tooling which in the long run will add up to more than the machine....Check GSA Auctions in your area and Used Machinery Auctions....I personally picked up a "J" head Bridgeport for $1600 that only needed a good degreasing....If your intent is to make folders you will be doing a lot of hole drilling and a reversing quill will make your life easier and save on busted small taps (don't ask 30 years of machining)...
 
Well, I have the money in the bank. I have the website pulled up and my debit card in hand. I can't pull the trigger on the mini mill. I'm not sure why.
 
I'll give my take as I'm in the same boat.. using a $50 HF press and want to get more into traditional folders.

If you have the money to spend on a big mill.. get a bigger mill. If you don't, get the small one and make some knives. If you need a bigger one down the road, and cash available, get a big one then. If you really want to make folders, get to it, don't put it off for 2-3 years while you save up for a big mill. In the end, you'll use the little mill a lot I'm betting.

If I would have waited till I could afford a KMG with 3HP and VFD, I'd still be sitting hear with no experience. Instead, I got a 2x42 and rocked out.

** Keep in mind, spending $1500 on a good used mill will also still require tooling.. which can add up quick.. so figure another $500-$1000 (or more) depending on what you plan on getting into. So now you went from $1500 to 3K real quick. That being said, some of that can be spread out over time.

Just my .02
 
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Hawk45 said:
I'll give my take as I'm in the same boat.. using a $50 HF press and want to get more into traditional folders.

If you have the money to spend on a big mill.. get a bigger mill. If you don't, get the small one and make some knives. If you need a bigger one down the road, and cash available, get a big one then. If you really want to make folders, get to it, don't put it off for 2-3 years while you save up for a big mill. In the end, you'll use the little mill a lot I'm betting.

If I would have waited till I could afford a KMG with 3HP and VFD, I'd still be sitting hear with no experience. Instead, I got a 2x42 and rocked out.

** Keep in mind, spending $1500 on a good used mill will also still require tooling.. which can add up quick.. so figure another $500-$1000 (or more) depending on what you plan on getting into. So now you went from $1500 to 3K real quick. That being said, some of that can be spread out over time.

Just my .02
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I never understood it until I became a mill owner, but one time a friend of mine said a mill is useless without a lathe. Its true because once you start using a mill for everything, you'll want to start making anything and everything, and some of those things are round.
 
Brian.Evans said:
Well, I have the money in the bank. I have the website pulled up and my debit card in hand. I can't pull the trigger on the mini mill. I'm not sure why.
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Brian, you could always get it, make a few folders, and set aside money for a big boy mill with each sale. Keep looking as you save and you could always sell this one later down the road. I just know how hard it is to mill steel on my mill, and can't imagine trying to do it on this one. Aluminum, sure, all day long, but then again I can cut 3/8" aluminum plate with my carpentry miter saw with the wood blade really easy.
 
Brian.Evans said:
Well, I have the money in the bank. I have the website pulled up and my debit card in hand. I can't pull the trigger on the mini mill. I'm not sure why.
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You live in a Target Rich environment where the industrial revolution had its hey day....There will be a lot of machine shops around Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and that means there will be multiple companies that deal in used equipment as trade ins....Just trying to save you that regrettable feeling a month from now that if you had just spent a couple extra dollars you would be ahead of the game. True that tooling is expensive but you may only need a set of collets initially (they may be included) and a few end mills you don't have to go hog wild on tooling.....Call around to local machine shops and see if they know of any equipment for sale....I picked up a lightly used Kurt vise for pennies on the dollar...Do a little research on used before handing over money to the Chinese...
 
Hawk45 said:
I'll give my take as I'm in the same boat.. using a $50 HF press and want to get more into traditional folders.

If you have the money to spend on a big mill.. get a bigger mill. If you don't, get the small one and make some knives. If you need a bigger one down the road, and cash available, get a big one then. If you really want to make folders, get to it, don't put it off for 2-3 years while you save up for a big mill. In the end, you'll use the little mill a lot I'm betting.

If I would have waited till I could afford a KMG with 3HP and VFD, I'd still be sitting hear with no experience. Instead, I got a 2x42 and rocked out.

** Keep in mind, spending $1500 on a good used mill will also still require tooling.. which can add up quick.. so figure another $500-$1000 (or more) depending on what you plan on getting into. So now you went from $1500 to 3K real quick. That being said, some of that can be spread out over time.

Just my .02
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I'd like to hear other people's opinions of Hawk's post.

My opinion:
I tend to agree with the "get to it" part. I just recently upgraded to a Wilmont Grinders TAG101 from a C-man 2x42. If I'd have had to make more than a single cutting instrument with a file and angle grinder I'd have said screw it a long time ago. Yeah, I have a feeling I'm going to want a bigger mill eventually, but would this one work well enough now, for what I've said I need it for now? I already have a decent vise for it that I forgot I had. Lol. Found it yesterday while cleaning out the tool box switching into a larger one.
 
"Sandeggo" Hahahahaha....that's a good point about wanting to make everything....Remember that a Mill is a Vertical Lathe the downside is you have trouble hanging a 4 jaw chuck from the spindle....:eek::D
 
Brian.Evans said:
I'd like to hear other people's opinions of Hawk's post.

My opinion:
I tend to agree with the "get to it" part. I just recently upgraded to a Wilmont Grinders TAG101 from a C-man 2x42. If I'd have had to make more than a single cutting instrument with a file and angle grinder I'd have said screw it a long time ago. Yeah, I have a feeling I'm going to want a bigger mill eventually, but would this one work well enough now, for what I've said I need it for now? I already have a decent vise for it that I forgot I had. Lol. Found it yesterday while cleaning out the tool box switching into a larger one.
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Yes tooling is expensive, but I buy mine used in lots online. I have hardly any tooling, a few different endmills and a 3/8" mill holder, so all my mills are 3/8" shank right now. Collect it a piece at a time. If your planning on doing radius cuts like on flippers, you'll need a rotary table as well. Good rotary tables cost as much as the milling machine you're looking at. I agree with being patient and finding a good used machine with tooling. In my opinion, I hate not having the proper tool for the job, and I just get frustrated using the wrong tool. Yeah it may do the cuts, but with what kind of quality and how small of bites. What is your time worth?
 
Brian.Evans said:
I'd like to hear other people's opinions of Hawk's post.

My opinion:
I tend to agree with the "get to it" part. I just recently upgraded to a Wilmont Grinders TAG101 from a C-man 2x42. If I'd have had to make more than a single cutting instrument with a file and angle grinder I'd have said screw it a long time ago. Yeah, I have a feeling I'm going to want a bigger mill eventually, but would this one work well enough now, for what I've said I need it for now? I already have a decent vise for it that I forgot I had. Lol. Found it yesterday while cleaning out the tool box switching into a larger one.[/QUOTE

You NEED a good vise not just decent to hold the material for precision drilling and or tapping....you will have to "Indicate" off the jaw of the vise to make sure its square and plumb to the Quill so you are not accidently drilling at an angle and all the holes are on the correct plane. Hawk makes a good argument for getting it now, but if you are serious about making knives and seems like you spent good money to upgrade your grinder think about why you didn't do it sooner. I have 3 KMG Clones I built and made the Wheels on my Mill...I have a lot of years of experience machining but you can get there with the correct equipment and over time the knowledge. The question to ask yourself is: Do I wait another 5 years until I have enough money to upgrade to a bigger machine and how much will I get for my little Mini Mill down the road??
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Busto said:
"Sandeggo" Hahahahaha....that's a good point about wanting to make everything....Remember that a Mill is a Vertical Lathe the downside is you have trouble hanging a 4 jaw chuck from the spindle....:eek::D
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Yep, few months ago
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If you are interested in the economics you are sitting on 500 and need a little more....So make 10 blades at a minimum of $100ea resale and you are at $1500 +/- depending on material cost....

Here is a link to an Equipment Manufacturer I have purchased from in the past...They have one of the best Video Lounges for tutorials worth a look and listen...

http://www.glacern.com/videos/7180278
 
I wish I had bought bigger mill than my LMS mini mill but I couldn't afford to and I make folders anyways.

I feel I have learned a lot (by always working on fixing the mill, lol) and my next big purchase will be a mill that is much heavier with tighter tolerances.

If you think you will use the mill a lot I'd save up for something heavier if you can. I'm hoping for a mid size unit personally... Grizzly with dovetailed column and around #1000. Wooden floor...

I have spent way more on tooling and stuff for the mill than the mill itself.
 
Buying a drill press means you can drill holes. Somewhat accurate ones.

Buying even a SMALL milling machine means that drilling accurate holes are the least of what you can do.

Stacy, I have a big floor standing drill press, and about the only thing I do with it is drill deep holes in wood blocks for hidden tang knives, and as a press for kydex rivets.... What other uses should I be applying to this machine? Am I missing something? I have a small bench top drill press for drilling holes in stuff that's just as accurate as the big Delta, didn't cost anywhere near as much, and takes up next to no space. It sees tenfold as much use as the big one, which sees even less use since I got my benchtop mill...
 
yep thtas the only reall downside to the mini mill vs floor stand drill the work hight. things that help are a short vice and drilling with collets instead of he drill chuck
 
Brian.Evans said:
I've been using a little HF drill press and I've outgrown it. It works just fine for punching reasonably accurate and straight holes in fixed blade tangs, but I would like to get something more accurate for folders.

Should I:
1. Wait and buy a mid size mill with drill capabilities?
2. Keep searching for an old American made machine to restore?
3. Buy a midsize Grizzly, G7943?
4. Buy a hf mini mill?
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Buy a hf mini mill is a good idea. support what you do.
 
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