milling machine

Hmmm. I'm the last person to know for sure, but it doesn't look to have much mass to it. The more mass, the more stable the machine for the most part. I'm interested to see what some of the machinists here think.

--nathan
 
I have never used that kind of machine before, but it looks like it has all of the requirements to do basic work. My main concern is that I could not find a power rating for the motor.
The mass of the machine does mean it is more likely to chatter, but it looks like it may not be too bad as long as you keep the head down near the table.

Some of the more experienced machinists may be able to help more...
 
I did alot of research, but I am not a machinest. I was worried that these and the small harbor freight machines would be to lightweight to do what I need. I talked with some users and machineshop people and I bought the machine below. It works about like I thought it would, cuts soft metal brass copper al like butter. Stainless I need to take lighter cuts than I would like and really need to tie the piece down tight. Even this machine has hopped a bit.

I really could not see using a lighter machine unless you are not going to work with stainless. It could also be my inexperience, I am sure a machinest can work wonders with some of these machines.

05980.gif
 
These are not bad mills, but they are light duty for sure. Sherline gets a hefty price for them compared to getting an HF or similar. I can't tell the difference between the sherlines and the HF mills.
 
If you do a youtube search for example you would be surprised at what these little milling machines are capable of in experienced hands. I also spend a bit of time in the home machinist forums and have seen some examples of projects built with this machine. That being said, it may not be your best choice for knife making. A lot of us knife makers that have purchased milling machines also use them for larger projects such as tooling, shop made equipment etc.

Bottom line is this; there is always more than one way to skin a cat meaning that a little machine will do the job of much larger machines if the operator is willing to set things up differently, take smaller cuts etc.

Good luck in what ever you decide!
 
Last edited:
Marek,
I have and use Sherline for lighter but precison duty work. I very much like all Sherline products,especially all the additional functionality their tools provide. My knives are mostly slipjoints and linerlocked folders. I also use miro-mark from taig tools. another micro-mill and lathe provider.
If I did large size or large volumns of knives, I'd go heavier.
 
AcridSaint said:
I can't tell the difference between the sherlines and the HF mills.
Click to expand...

Is this one of those deals where the machines are made in the same factory and given different nameplates/marketing etc? For instance, I've seen Delta and Craftsman grinders that as far as I can tell, are the exact same machine.
 
Yesterday I built a bracket and mounted a cross slide vise to my lathe, so my lathe is now a mill and drill press.

I milled a 3/16 slot in some mild steel last night and it worked quite well. It makes it quite acceptable as a drill press as well so I think I may forego the whole drill press idea altogether and just use the lathe..

I will take a couple of pics when I get home and post them.
 
You can do little work on a big machine, you can't do big work on a little machine. Buy the most machine you can afford because you will want to upgrade after using that one for 6mos.
 
The Sherline is well-built, but it is 90%+ Aluminum; approx 20 pounds total weight. I read the book written by Sherline's founder, and he says flat-out that the Sherline is NOT intended for working steel; certainly not stainless steel (the book calls stainless steel an "exotic" material). However, its is good for brass, aluminum, plastic, etc.

Its counter-part, the Taig (mentioned above), is made of steel. It seems to be more popular for milling steel.
 
Sherline is a much better machine than a HF and it's made in the USA :)

I've been using a Sherline mill for 12 years or so (fulltime) and love it.
It will not do larger work but will do everything for the construction of knives.
The motor has plenty of power and is varible speed, it's also belt driven and
I've not needed to replace it.

Very good little mills!
 
I have owned operated and used a Sherline, Taig, and a Harbor freight minimill. They are all excellent mills and can all do excellent work. But IMO the Sherline and the Taig are lighter duty machines than the heavier Chinese mill.
I consider the Sherline and the Taig in the same class as far as power and rigidity is concerned, but IMO the Chinese mill is in another class when it comes to cutting steel.
It comes down to mass and HP. The chinese minimill weighs 150lbs compare that to the other two.
I am not saying the Taig and the Sherline are not good mills, they are excellent mills but if cutting steel is in your future the Chinese mill will do it faster and take deeper cuts.
Chris
 
Marekz,

Here's the pics I promised, since you were asking about how I was going to do milling with my lathe...

I bought a 90 degree bracket that I mounted to the tool post and bolted piece of double layered 3/4" plywood for a total of 1.5" to the face, then bolted a cross slide vise to the plywood.

gedc0337-0.jpg


gedc0338-0.jpg


gedc0339-0.jpg


gedc0341-0.jpg


gedc0342-0.jpg


Obviously, I'd love to have a nice mill and a sweet precision cross slide vise but for cutting slots in guards and the drilling tangs, this setup will work just fine. A single axis vise would be ideal for Z axis so I may keep my eye open for a good deal on a nice one but for now this one will work.
 
I love my Sherline mill. It is not a Harbor Freight machine by any means. They are much more precise.
I do all my guard slotting and precision milling for my handles, on this little beauty. They are well made and the tech support and parts are very available.
If you want to hog steel; get a Bridgeport.

Fred
 
Thanks, Patrick. When I bought my Sherline back in 96 or 97, I didn't have the money or the room for a larger mill and could not find a smaller, used US made machine. I will get a larger mill one day but only to complement the Sherline for larger jobs.

I bought the Sherline when I start making autos and the accuracy was unbelievable. I now use in mainly for slotting guards and spacers, 3/16" to 5/16" slots in 1/4" to 1/2" thick steel. I can plunge 3/16" to 1/4" holes in a line and remove the webs in one pass, then using the dial handles to open up the slot to .001" less than my tang for a very good fit. It's always dead on.
 
I have been thinking of getting a mill like this for a while. What other operations besides milling guard slots and handles would you use this for? I am trying to buy equipment that will give me the most bang for the dollar, up my quality, and/or production. I hate!! filing guard slots by hand! This is a very timely subject for me!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top