Milling machine??

S

Shotgunone

Joined
Oct 1, 2000
Messages
244
I have been thinking about getting a milling machine to do some knife making tasks. Some of the things I want to do is nail nicks, milling bolsters and liners, etc. This will be in stainless steel, nickle, brass, and maybe ti latter on. So what kind of machine do I need.

I was thinking about one of the micro mills like sherline or tiag. Or maybe a benchtop combination lathe, mill, and drill (harbor freight or grizzley model).

I'd like to know what you guys have and how well they work. Especially interested in small or benchtop machines because my space is so limited. So tell me what you think.

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Tony Huffman
thuffman@texinet.net
Sporting Clays & Shotguns ... my other bad habit!
 
A sherline lathe is awesome for knifemaking purposes. The attachment that will make the lathe a mill is pretty nifty, and will do most everything, but it will take longer than with a big machine. The thing about Sherline is they make an accurate machine.

But as far as doing heavier work like milling ti into scales/bolsters for folders, a little bigger mill is nice.

If you talk to any machinist that doesn't make knives, they will tell you that the minimum you should buy is a Bridgeport with DRO. Hmm...that's interesting considering the size and number of knife parts that need to be milled.

It's very nice to have a mill with a knee, but from everything I have seen and done a table-top will do all you will need it to.

Grizzly sells one for like $1200 that's pretty sturdy. Enco has one, Jet.....

The best bet is to find someone that does stuff like model train work that's selling theirs, then you get tooling with it too.

Places like Boeing Surplus sell small Jet mills from their maintenance shops, but they're in need of work.

IMHO, you're better off to go to Grizzly and buy a small mill and suface grinder and have two new import tools, than to spend the same on a bigger mill and then still want a surface grinder.

Just some thoughts, definitely not the "bible" as some makers like to think of their opinions.

Good question, I'm interested to see other posts.
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Nick
 
I bought a TAIG mill three weeks ago after looking around at various options the past six months. So far I'm impressed with its performance. I met a couple of makers who are using it and spoke highly of it for knifemaking. It is a well built rugged little mill. I make folders so it fits most of what I can see me using it for. For large milling jobs a large mill is clearly the tool, but for medium and small jobs the TAIG seems to have what it takes. I have used mostly carbide mills and was able to take some fairly heavy cuts in O1 and ATS-34.
I found that Koval and Blue Ridge Machinery (1-800-872-6500)had the best prices. The price just went up to $595 but you may find a deal. If you want more information about accessories, etc. feel free to email me.

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I find that I can make just about any folder component on a small benchtop lathe. For milling, I would go with something larger than a Sherline size mill. I have a small mill now and it's VERY limited in what it can do.
I'm spoiled by the array of mills we have at my full time job. I cannot afford the space required for a Brideport in my home shop
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. Here is a link to the Grizzly "knee" mill that I'm considering. http://grizzly.com/fcgi-bin/lookup.fcgi/products/lookup.cfg?q=item&kw=G1008
It has all the functions of a Bport in a smaller package. One should also consider that a good size mill will allow you to make other tooling and equipment like belt grinders, etc.
Neil

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Talonite???Stellite!!!
Knives in STOCK!!


blackwoodknives.com
 
one thing is for sure...bigger is ALWAYS better...more area, more rigidity (that is the biggest plus of a larger machine) and more versatility.....the small toy mills are just that.......toys.

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
Neil,

I'm glad you said that. I've been looking at Grizzly's small knee mill as well.

Most guys tell me to buy a used American mill, but being realistic, I am not even close to being enough of a machinist to tell just how worn the machine really is.

So does a guy buy a used American, or a new import?
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Most of the nice used mills I've come across are 3 phase.

What are your thoughts on that Grizzly???

Thanks,
Nick
 
I just bought the Griz mini mill. It's variable speed sets on the bench and makes cutting guards a lot eaiser. Of course the bigger automated machines would be better but this one cost $600 dollars. I've made 10 guards on it so that gets the price down to $60 each guard. Haven't even explored the possibilites yet.
Take Care
TJ
 
This is my thoughts on import mills VS american ones......
If you are the only one using the machine and you purchase it new, the import SHOULD last a lifetime. This is providing you are not ABUSING a small one by trying to do LARGE work with it!!!
In the machine shops I've worked in Brideports and other american made, manual mills are king. Most of the imports cannot handle hard, daily use by people that dont CARE about the machines!! The parts for them are available and interchangeable. NOTHING works better than the Bridgeport power feed....NOTHING!! These can be ordered and adapted to the imports but is quite $$$$$.
I have looked at several used Bridgeports that are in good shape and with a little TLC and ME adding a DRO would make an excellent machine. The only problem is SPACE!! Both machines I've looked at have the larger table and take up a LOT of room. I know of two people that have the above mentioned Grizzly mill and are quite happy with them. I installed a DRO system on one of them. They have plenty of power, they are 110 Volt AND take up much less space than a Brideport.
They are more money than the small bench top mills but will be able to do a LOT more!
Jet also makes a good small knee mill. I think they also have the same one Grizzly sells only it's painted white.
Neil


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Talonite???Stellite!!!
Knives in STOCK!!


blackwoodknives.com
 
I bought an Import that must be 20 years old. It is built heavy and works very well. Lots of power after I wired it from 110 to 220 volts. I cant read a word of english on it anywhere and the only trouble I have is reading the metric dials and trying to convert to inches. Therefore all my knives are now in metric sizes.
 
If you look around a little, you may find a Bridgeport with a 9" knee and 32" table, they don't take up a great deal of space and are available at a fairly reasonable price because all the professionals want the bigger machines.
 
Thanks to everyone that posted and to those who responded to my emails. Well you have given me lots to think about. Since I have more time than money I think a mill at $1000.00 + is definately out of the question. Considering my workshop is about 8 foot by 8 foot a bigger than benchtop mill is probably not going to happen either. That kind of narrows it down to Taig, Sherline, or Grizzly mini mill. Unless there are others.

I make folders so the two big jobs I am aiming for is nail nicks in 440C or ATS34 and intergral liners / bolsters of nickel silver and Stainless steel. I thought about Titanium but if it will ok if not ok too.

So if you still have comments let them fly.

Maybe I should wait until I get a bigger shop and more money?
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Or my wife lets me park her suburban out in the yard.
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Tony Huffman
thuffman@texinet.net
Sporting Clays & Shotguns ... my other bad habit!
 
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