Mini-mill again! I am so sorry!

Patrice Lemée

Patrice Lemée

Joined
Aug 13, 2002
Messages
5,703
I hate to start on this again but I am lost once again.

I wanted to wait to get a bigger mill but in reality it can't happen anytime soon. Mainly because of room. Until I get another house with a separate garage, my shop just can't accommodate the bigger mill. And while not the main reason, money is also a concern. So if not for a mini-mill it's no mill for 5-6 years.

But from past posts I got a more negative impression of the mini-mills than a positive one.
Will I be able to do anything with this type of machine or is it just a waste of money?

I apologize again if this seems like the same old song but any input would be greatly appreciated so I can finally make a decision.

Patrice
 
I am not sure what you classify a mini-mill. Look here...
https://www.machinetoolswarehouse.com/xcart/catalog/MD004-p-16241.html

The Sieg 3 and Supper X3 mills are excellent and avalible in Canada. I think they are a better mill then the smaller mills at Busy Bee.

Again, the bigger the mill the bigger material you can work with. But for the average knife maker the Sieg mills will work. And you can also purchase CNC kits for them in the future.

Dennis
 

Patrice,
I don't have one yet, but I'm looking at the Sherline, I think I spelled that right. I think it all boils down to what you want to accomplish, milling guards and the such it should do fine, I wouldn't expect much more than that. It is listed as a hobby mill and runs about $900.00 US dollars, Of course you may find one on eBay from time to time, Google it, see what all you can find. Also Google "Mini Mill" I've found lots of good info that way. I kno wHarbor Freight has one for about 469.00, you'll probably have to do some work on it to tighten up the tolerances, but if your not going to expect much from it, I'm sure you can get that much out of it. Harbor Freight is both a blessing and a blight, It'll help to get you into equipment and tools at a cheap price, but you get what you pay for. I also remember that Jantz carries a mini mill. Hope this helps, Rex
 
Patrice
I don't have one, but a friend has a Sherline,and uses it to make folders.If you have more time then money or space it will work.
Stan
 
Patrice
I was in your situation 2 years ago. Money and space, with money being the major factor. It boiled down to buying an X2(HF mini mill) or nothing.
The column on the X2 must be stiffened. A $30 7"x 8"x 9" angle plate and mounting the mill on a piece of 1/2" plate solved that nicely. I also added a belt drive kit and an air spring kit that cost about $180 total. I mounted the mill on an old Kennedy tool cart I had, so it's movable.
I have no regrets on buying the X2. It sure beats having to drill,saw and file guard slots. If I had the extra money, I would have purchased the X3. It is a better mill with a small increase in space.
Here are some pics of my mill. Hope this helps.

mill-1.jpg

mill-3.jpg

mill-2.jpg
 
Patrice, please skip the x2 or similar mini mills. i'm telling you, i think you'll regrete it! look at the x3 from the link posted. i'm considering one of those aswell. from all i've read, they are FAR better quality then the x2 and alot more machine. they're roughly 350 lbs, so broken into 3 pieces you could put it anywhere :) basement shops suck for heavy tool purchases.
 
Patrice,

I have a similar setup to Mike a HF X2 with all the upgrades which I think I'm into for about $500+ it's a really nice drill press and if you're going to just mill guard it fine but if you think you're going to want to do a lot more milling I'd look at the X3 in the link above.
 
Thanks guys for the info and links.
The X3 looks more and more like the only real option. Even if the X2 looks like a viable option, the larger X3 would ease my fear of buying an undersized mill (plus I like the fact it uses R8).

I really appreciate your help.

Patrice
 
This is beginning to look like the start of a bulk buying thing.
Not sure about it since you guys are in another country though.

Patrice
 
I guess it depends on what you want to do! i honestly hav'nt found the need for DRO and all the bells and whistles. i've managed just fine with a bare bones round column mill/drill. and i do a fair bit of inlaying ect. honestly, i think that the sieg x3 would be more then enough mill for knifemakers. what exactly do you plan to do with the mill??
 
Well this is what I posted for. I have no idea of what I need so if you say that I don't need it that's good enough for me. There is another model on this page

http://www.garantmachinerie.com/en/p...p/millings.php

The WSM20V. It is less expensive. I just have to figure out if it is the same as the X3. Specs look good to me and about the same price as the X3 if you consider that some tooling and a stand is included.

More to follow.

Patrice
 
MD004 (X3)

https://www.machinetoolswarehouse.com/xcart/catalog/MD004-p-16241.html

Capacity
Drill: 1”
Mill:1”
Surfacing: 2”
Table: 6 1/4” x 21 5/8”
Travel: 5 3/4” x 15 3/4”
Spindle taper: R8
Spindle speeds: 100-2000 rpm
Spindle stroke: 3 1/8”
Distance spindle-table: 13 3/4”
Motor: ¾ HP
Dimensions: 27” x 22” x 32 1/2”
Weight: 363lbs
Price: 1299$
Includes: Drill Chuck


WSM20V

http://www.garantmachinerie.com/en/products/machine_shop/millings.php

Capacity
Drill: 3/4”
Mill: 3/4”
Surfacing: 2”
Table: 7” x 20”
Travel: 7” x 11” x 12” vertical
Spindle taper: MT#2
Spindle speeds: 50-2250 rpm (variable KB drive)
Spindle stroke: 2” (with digital readout)
Distance spindle-table: 2” - 14”
Motor: 7/8HP
Dimensions: 27” x 22” x 65” h (with stand)
Weight: 257 lbs (with stand)
Price: 1575$
Includes: Drill Chuck, Swivel 2” milling vise, Collet set ER25 (1/8 to 5/8) with chuck, HSS 2 flute single end mills (7), Quill DRO, Clamping kit, Cabinet type support base.

Well, I am down to 2 choices. As you can see the second one looks like a step between the mini-mills and the X3.I does come with a little more stuff. I could probably get everything for the difference in price with the X3. So I get a bigger mill with the X3 with lots of information about it on the web. On the other hand actually getting the X3 mill is all kind of trouble compared to a much simpler process (and also less expensive) with the WSM20V.

What do you guys think?

Thanks

Patrice
 
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