Mini Mill Upgrades

colu41

colu41

Joined
Dec 24, 2014
Messages
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I haven't even received my mini mill yet but, I'm already thinking about upgrades. Since the mill comes with plastic spindle gears, I figured that would be the first area to look into upgrading. I have a choice between either replacing with steel gears for ($50), or go ahead and get the Belt Drive Conversion kit for ($140). Could someone tell me the benefits of the Belt conversion over just replacing the plastic gears? I know the belt quiets the machine down, but does it ultimately make it run better? Last longer?
 
belt drive hands down
less noise wider rpm band for use with smaller endmills that are better for the mini mill anyhow
con less Tq can stall larger end mills (learn fast not to bother with much more then 1/2 inch in the mini anyhow less your light fly cutting )
 
Ok thanks. I don't plan on using anything bigger than a 3/16 end mill. 80% of my work will be with an 1/8" end mill and a 2" indexable end mill with only one insert.
 
now that i have a bridgeport my mini hardly ever sees anything bigger then 1/4 or my cheapy fly cutter (bout the same as you running the one insert 2")
 
butcher_block said:
now that i have a bridgeport my mini hardly ever sees anything bigger then 1/4 or my cheapy fly cutter (bout the same as you running the one insert 2")
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Have you face milled any stainless with your mini? Other than doing guard slots and very small stuff with it, I was really hoping it could face mill stainless. (Scale & pit removal, etc.) Obviously at very slow feed rate.
 
On a related note, littlemachineshop dot com has the belt drive kit on sale. If not equipped with one I would also recommend fitting an air spring kit as well, gives more travel and steadier head.
 
Thanks Nav. Thats where I ordered the majority of my accessories. I seen they had the belt drive on "sale" $15 off so, I'm not going to beat myself up over it if I can't get it right away. I looked up that air spring kit and that looks interesting too. Thanks for that.
 
No problemo! Even though I have a bridgeport clone, I still use the mini quite a bit as a drill press, to cut lock bars, and yes, even as a mill :)
 
navman said:
No problemo! Even though I have a bridgeport clone, I still use the mini quite a bit as a drill press, to cut lock bars, and yes, even as a mill :)
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I just hope I can do the few things I need with the mini. If anything I'll have a very precise drill press :D As my $60 drill press can get a little finicky getting things square.... Thanks again. I got my end mills today! lol. Mill is scheduled to be delivered Wednesday. Can't wait!
 
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