mill

C

crank78

Joined
Dec 21, 2013
Messages
336
I been thinking about buying a mill for cutting out blanks, and a few other uses.
I have done lots of research. the only ones I see anyone using are the cnc mills. I cant afford one unless the bench top models would cut it. I have never used a mill would I be better off with a bandsaw.

I think the mill would replace the bandsaw and the drill press if I went that route.
the angle grinder is out. had one fly apart on me a few days ago.
 
The mill can replace a drill press (though it's not as convenient most times), but it's unlikely to replace a bandsaw. It's really hard to cut anything other than a straight line or a section of an exact arc on a manual milling machine (and even the arcs require special tooling).

A CNC mill (or really any piece of CNC equipment, I used to have a small CNC router) really is a whole other level. All of a sudden a lot of new things become possible and having that tool will really shape how you tackle a lot of different tasks.

That said the learning curve to get into CNC is pretty steep with a commercial machine (CAD, CAM, Machining principles, etc...) and even steeper with a home-brew machine (electronics, CNC controller setup, mechanical fabrication, etc...).

I'm not trying to put you off. Building a CNC machine (or converting a mill) will teach you a lot of immensely valuable skills and hopefully leave you with a very useful tool. Just be warned it's complicated and it gets expensive fast!
 
crank78 said:
I think the mill would replace the bandsaw and the drill press if I went that route.
the angle grinder is out. had one fly apart on me a few days ago.
Click to expand...

You need a metal bandsaw and a good drill press long before you need a mill for knifemaking. I have a mill and can easily make knives without it.

What you would pay for a mill that could do profiling of knife blanks you could easily pay for the metal, water jet service, metal bandsaw and drill press.
 
AVigil said:
You need a metal bandsaw and a good drill press long before you need a mill for knifemaking. I have a mill and can easily make knives without it.

What you would pay for a mill that could do profiling of knife blanks you could easily pay for the metal, water jet service, metal bandsaw and drill press.
Click to expand...

+1

A mill is nice for cutting slots in guards, milling something dead flat, or undercutting and profiling a piece. CNC (computer numeric control) or manual. They are inefficient for cutting anything out. A metal cutting bandsaw is the most efficient and safest route. A mill doesn't replace any tool honestly. It does however add to your capabilities to some degree.
With a metal cutting bandsaw, drill press, files and/or a grinder you can make any knife you want. Even work done with a mill needs cleaning up either by hand or on the grinder.
And you can buy good name brand of all three of the above mentioned tools for the price of a good mill...
Now if you do other fabrication work where exact tolerances are required, and you are fabricating from scratch, a mill is indespensible. My mill is no Bridgeport or anything, but I use it extensively with my other ventures and not much at all for knives...
 
I am new to knifemaking but, not to machining and fabrication. Most of your points have already been covered so I will just add that any CNC mill with a weight of less than 3000lbs and under 5hp is not really suitable for regular cutting of steels. I won't say the smaller machines can't work but, it will be slow and frustrating. I just cut my stock to length and do all my profiling on the grinder. Do you have a good grinder?

Bob
 
Yes i have a decent grinder. Just always wanted a mill for some reason. The only cnc i could afford would be the sherline. I would think it would be slower than a hacksaw.
 
Ah the truth comes out.... tool envy, and a bad case if it. :)

Some day you should scratch that itch... but wait until you can afford what you really want... and the space to house it. Why invest twice?
 
crank78 said:
Just always wanted a mill for some reason.
Click to expand...

Well, that sounds like reason enough to me. I've had several mills including a large Matsuura CNC production machine. Right now, I only have a Rong Fu RF45 and it is a very capable manual mill. There are a lot of knock-offs of this machine that can be had for a price that would allow you to still buy a bandsaw and drill press and be right in that CNC Sherline price range. Of course the mill is only as capable as the tooling you have so that can add up.

Bob
 
If your mail goal is to cut things out efficiently, you would be better served by having your blades water jet cut.
 
Nothing to add here other than to reiterate what others have said. If your main reasoning is for profiling than you would be much better served with a bandsaw. A mounted HF port-a-band can be had for well under $100 including some scrap metal for a base and table. While a mill is a great tool is nowhere near the top of any must have list.
 
I have pleanty space. you are correct tho I want a cnc and a bigger one. lol. I went to a friend of mine who has a machine shop. we played with his mill. way to slow. if it were cnc and you could do something else while it was running it would be ok. I guess ill run to hf get a portaband. and a drill press from craigslist. found some nice bigger units cheap.
 
whats the cost on waterjet service. I haven't made many knives and will probably never do this for a living. I do love making knives though, and I just like to play with new tools all the time.
a forge is coming soon to as for some reason I just want to beat the s___t out of some steel.
 
crank78 said:
whats the cost on waterjet service. I haven't made many knives and will probably never do this for a living. I do love making knives though, and I just like to play with new tools all the time.
a forge is coming soon to as for some reason I just want to beat the s___t out of some steel.
Click to expand...

the cost for waterjet service depends on the quantity of knives or parts you want cut and other factors. H2Oknife has a waterjet and he has a sub forum. his website is http://www.leadingedgefab.com/ give him a call and he can answer any question you might have.
 
Varga Knives said:
A mounted HF port-a-band can be had for well under $100 including some scrap metal for a base and table.
Click to expand...

Are you speaking of the HF Portable Variable Speed Band Saw. I was going to buy one but was told to save my $$ and invest in a Jet stationary for metal. It seems very bulky to maneuver around contouring blanks by hand.
Being a newby with very limited tools, I am very interested in knowing how to actually mount it as a stationary unit instead of spending $1750.00 and have only made 5 knives but wanting to make more.

Thanks for the info
 
there speaking of the harbor freight portaband I believe. from what I understand you can mount it several ways. vise, table, or even on the wall. there is a great thread here on the portabands but I cant find it.
 
A mill and a lathe are some of my favorite tools and I use mine daily building the grinders, and jigs that I sell on here. But I don't use them much for making knives. A good drill press and vice could do about the same for a lot less money.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top