Is this worth buying? MicroMill

J

jawilder

Joined
Jun 27, 2006
Messages
2,331
Local Craig's list has this HF Micro Mill for 225. Guy says it is 4 years old but almost never used. I know it is way underpowerd and not a Bridgeport, but all I want to use it for is guards and folder work.

Do you think it's a good deal?
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There are no accessories for it except the vise he added
 
I went through alot of sole searching when I bought my mill, for soft metals like brass it should do fine, I do not have the skill to use something that small for stainless or other steels. It would be good as a precision drill as well . Another issue with that mill is plastic gears, you will most likely need to convert to a belt drive so figure that into the cost. see link below

http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=2560&category=
 
I would recommend against it for that price. It may not even get the job done for you in the first place and for a little more you could get a MUCH better mill, brand new. Check out LittleMachineShop.com. I have the HiTorque mini mill they have. It is a pretty good machine and you can add allot of options later if you wanted to. Keep in mind you will have to buy quite a bit more stuff than just the mill.

One thing to note about that HF mill is the spindle will likely have more round out than most would like and with that drill type chuck, it will be pretty bad as that chuck probably has a horrible round out tolerance. You will want to switch to collets before milling anything.

I would say if you are milling nothing harder than aluminum you might be OK with that machine but if you want to mill any SS or even possibly steel than I would pass.

(EDIT: looks like he was posting at the same time I was typing. Note: not sure if the kit he is linking to will work for that mill.)
 
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Thanks guys, I'll pass on this one and save for a bigger one.

If anyoe else is interested, this is the craigslist in Abilene TX
 
I have one of those. It's relegated to milling out handle materials.
It will work, but you would have to take really light cuts. I suggest a bigger mill.
 
Thanks Bill, I think I'm going to save up for the Hi Torque Mini Mill with the tooling package for just a bit over a grand with shipping
 
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