Opinions On This Milling Machine PLease

Dang, Mike....you hit the lotto or something?

Or just ridin out a tool-binge?

:D :p :eek:
 
Michael,
Just my humble opinion, but you'd be far better off with that one than a mini mill. Been there, done that more than once.
The bigger and more rigid, the better.
At one time I had a Sharp mill like that and it served me well. Sold it for a larger one. Sold it for an even larger one with DRO and don't know what I did without this one.
 
Hey Mike that "seems" like a very nice little mill.Definately better than a "mini mill".That price isn't bad at all for what I can see.R8 taper in the spindle opens up all kinds of tooling options that you couldn't use with a mini.Much more rigidity too which means "a bunch" when it comes to machining.Judging from the info it lists & the pic I'd say that is a perfect unit.Heck it looks like it even has a pump type oiler reservoir for the ways.:thumbup:
 
awesome info guys keep it coming
Dan: just riding out the tool binge. better than spending it on drugs right??
i figure if i spend a bunch and get all i need then the tools pay for themselves in time. why send things to other people to do when you can do them yourself with the right tools?? and that means more toys for me.
You said it Kit, i've seen the mini mill and the one step above it, and i think they're a little too small, you can't slot an 1/8" guard in nickel silver in under 20 minutes, and the suckers always walk all over the place. buy good once. thanks again guys keep the replies coming!!
 
I hear ya, Mike....I tend to buy lots at once too...:D

The mill looks to have some awesome features...maybe more than a knifemaker needs, just MHO....I don't have a mill myself...not talking from experience...


It's definitely nicer than the HF Mini Mills...but is it really that much better than this one?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=33686

You get a bigger motor on the HF...just trying to understand these things myself...I'm still waiting for that used bridgeport to show up locally for cheap....(*dream on* :rolleyes: )
 
Dan,
Horsepower doesn't mean as much as having a machine that is more rigid. If it's geared right and the belt set up is right, a small motor will push a 1/4" end mill fast enough, but if the column isn't stiff, it vibrates. That's what causes the problem and breaks end mills. Learning feeds and speeds is a must, regardless.

I'm not bashing anyone that uses the mill/drills. Guys that know feeds and speeds, and proper set up get good results with them. Just my opinion, but since I've owned and used them from the small ones to the large ones, it's a valid opinion.
 
I would definitely go with the knee mill. That feature alone is worth the extra money.
 
how does it work? (what's the advantages)
 
Kit Carson said:
Michael,
Just my humble opinion, but you'd be far better off with that one than a mini mill. Been there, done that more than once.
The bigger and more rigid, the better.
Click to expand...

That's pretty much what I told him, Kit. The humble mini-mill is a lot of bang for the buck. Grasshoppa, if it moves around, something aint right. I had one at my last job, and it would amaze you the stuff I turned out on it. Solid as a rock. I have a mill-drill at home, and it is truly a POS. :mad:

Bottom line from my end is if you need a better machine than a mini-mill, then spend the money on a good-used Bridgeport. Geez, you are right down there by these guys: GOLD Surely you can get in bed with them? They have pretty good machines and good service from my experience.

Oh and one last thing...

A beat-up, dragged-out, used-up, slapped-around, rusty, dirty, greasy, old and spent bridgeport will be a better machine than a brand-new mill-drill like the one you want. Trust me. :)
 
Daniel Koster said:
how does it work? (what's the advantages)
Click to expand...

Dan,

A knee mill has the ability to lower/raise the work to the tool. This feature is very advantageous when doing multiple parts and there is a need for repeatability. That's not the only thing, either. There is a miriad of uses for the knee. It increses the flexibility of the mill ten-fold over a bench-type mill.

Still, for the record, a mini-mill will do a splendid job for a knifemaker's purposes. :)

Check out the Prazi mills and lathes. Serious stuff. :thumbup:
 
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