Mill help, quick!

J

Jason Fry

Joined
Jun 5, 2008
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A mill just popped up on my local craigslist. I'm not actively hunting one, but I do have enough cash on hand to see if it's worth looking at. Problem is, I don't know much about mills. Can you guys look over the CL ad pics and give me some input? Google didn't have anything on "Shark Metal Mover." Is this an American or import machine? Any idea on value? Good deal or pass?

http://abilene.craigslist.org/tls/3795372158.html
 
Its really nothing more than a drill presses big brother with an X/Y table on it...the round column and the crank up/down head are a pain....I would second the save your money for a nice Knee mill....yes its an import....
 
Jason- Just to reiterate what Sam and metalmole said... If you look at the machine label, under the Shark Metal Mover, you can see RF-30.

That mill would now be sold as a Rong Fu-30.

The current version uses R8 collets (which is preferred because that is a very standard/easy to find tooling taper). I am not sure if an older one like that uses R8 or not.

The mill itself will do just about anything a knife maker would want to do... but like mm posted, the round column can be a real PITA. Since you're willing to keep an eye on CL for a used machine, I also recommend you hold out for a decent knee mill. Just the fact that a Bridgeport or BP clone weighs ~1800 pounds compared to the ~700 lb of that RF-30, means you can take heavier cuts, get a better surface finish, and use a much broader range of tooling.

Now to contradict myself, it does look like the sale includes the lathe, tooling, and quite a bit of raw material. Those are definitely things that sweeten a deal!
 
Thanks for the input. My only shot at this thing is if he's willing to split the two machines. Lathe might be cool, but I don't have space for both in my shop. If I can get the mill and tooling in the 7-800 range, I might make a run at it.
 
Why not take both and flip em? Or flip the lathe? Or you could piece out all of it and make a couple bucks and buy a Bridgeport. Just a thought
 
On the lathe for instance, there is a 4 jaw chuck mounted and I don't see a 3 jaw in the photos.

If you have to buy a chuck to make it usable there is no room to make money.
The last chuck I bought was $500 plus tax = $600 the same made in Poland chuck is more now, American made? double that.

If it was loaded with collets and chucks and all new good stuff, maybe you could part it out or flip it.
However at the heart of it, this is still a Craftsman brand lathe.


There are buyers that will prefer old heavy American Iron over the new fully complete imports.

If it was a South Bend Heavy 10 or something with big following and demand maybe you could do that.

This package I don't see as all that desirable.

There is no harm in passing that up, wait see if the price goes down.
People are dying or moving into retirement homes every day, keep looking.

Some advice I saw was to look at 100x items (houses, cars,mills, lathes whatever) before making your first offer.
That experience will give you the ability to judge it's value.
 
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12345678910 said:
On the lathe for instance, there is a 4 jaw chuck mounted and I don't see a 3 jaw in the photos.

If you have to buy a chuck to make it usable there is no room to make money.
The last chuck I bought was $500 plus tax = $600 the same made in Poland chuck is more now, American made? double that.

If it was loaded with collets and chucks and all new good stuff, maybe you could part it out or flip it.
However at the heart of it, this is still a Craftsman brand lathe.


There are buyers that will prefer old heavy American Iron over the new fully complete imports.

If it was a South Bend Heavy 10 or something with big following and demand maybe you could do that.

This package I don't see as all that desirable.

There is no harm in passing that up, wait see if the price goes down.
People are dying or moving into retirement homes every day, keep looking.

Some advice I saw was to look at 100x items (houses, cars,mills, lathes whatever) before making your first offer.
That experience will give you the ability to judge it's value.
Click to expand...

Very true
 
He's down to 650 for the mill only. No tooling included other than another vise. Seems to be in good shape and well taken care of. It was the home machine of a professional machinist. Hate it when it's on the bubble. Much easier if it's way too cheap or way too expensive. Go or no go for that price?
 
If it takes R8 tooling,I'd pay 650 for that machine.If all the movements are smooth and the spindle bearings don't whine.

Stan
 
i gave 1500 +100 dropped off in my shop for a bridgeport 32inch and vice and a few collets and after using it if you can fit a "baby" bridgeport and dont need it "right now" hold out to get one its worth it
the spares mght be nice t have but a better mill is a much better bet (if it fits in your shop)
 
Jason Fry said:
He's down to 650 for the mill only. No tooling included other than another vise. Seems to be in good shape and well taken care of. It was the home machine of a professional machinist. Hate it when it's on the bubble. Much easier if it's way too cheap or way too expensive. Go or no go for that price?
Click to expand...

SBuzek said:
If it takes R8 tooling,I'd pay 650 for that machine.If all the movements are smooth and the spindle bearings don't whine.

Stan
Click to expand...

butcher_block said:
i gave 1500 +100 dropped off in my shop for a bridgeport 32inch and vice and a few collets and after using it if you can fit a "baby" bridgeport and dont need it "right now" hold out to get one its worth it
the spares mght be nice t have but a better mill is a much better bet (if it fits in your shop)
Click to expand...

I now wish I had bigger like Butch has, but there are not as many and our used prices here never get that low.
the millI have is a "baby bridgeport" but it's just a bit too small.


If it has R8 instead of Morse taper tooling, it will mill guard slots from now until you die plus more.
$650 is fair, see if he will go down any more, or go for some endmill holders thrown in but chinese ones are $20

Don't give him any credit for endmills, You can buy new ones in the sizes you need.


The trouble with getting one now, is either finances or family will get in the way when the perfect one is available.
 
funny thig is the listing was for 3 other BPs all 42 or larger tables and all needed alot of clean up but he only wanted 750 each i told hime i was looking for one a bit smaller and he showed me the one in his shop that he used and was in running shape (was an older man getting out of the work) he said 1500 and i said sold (right after i caled and asked kelly if it was OK :) )
 
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