Recomendation: Mini Mill

JBS TOOLMAKER

JBS TOOLMAKER

Joined
May 4, 2009
Messages
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Hey guys, I need some opinions on mini mills. I am a toolmaker and would prefer a full size Bridgeport with DRO and powerfeed, but space is limited. I will be using it to slot guards, mill handle material for rabbet tangs etc. I'm big on precision and rigidity. I would like to hear from those who have been using them, good and bad opinions,differant brands, what kind of collets they use, all the info I can get.
Thanks
Jason B Stout
 
I have a mini from MicroMark. It's about the same as the Harbor Freight and Grizzly models. If you can get the step up from Grizzly model, it would work well for you I think. You can shore them up with a good base plate and a heavy angle iron back plate. Preciseness isn't necessarily the greatest but it works great for the basic functions you a looking at doing.
 
I see no one has responded here... probably because this topic has been discussed at length.

Basically, everyone has a different opinion.

Sherline and Taig are the 2 US-made mini mills. People who have them like them. Some people (including the guy who started the Sherline company, according to his book) consider the Sherline too light for steel and stainless.

However, a few people have chimed in and say they love it.

Same with the Taig; you'll get different opinions.

For US-made, I believe the next step up is a Tormach CNC for $7k to $9k IIRC. Most people seem to consider that a fully capable machine.

Besides that, you have your imports. You could split them into 2 categories: square column and round column. Both have a moving head for the Z-axis. Most people seem to favor the square column because you don't loose your X-Y location when you change your Z. However, I've heard positive reviews of some round columns, specifically a Jet that came up in recent conversation.

The import mills are pretty much a no-brainer; the more the HP and the more the mass, the better.

Most people go with R8 collets.

I think a lot of the people here are looking to mill slots and other light duties (like you). I'm guessing that is why so many are relatively happy with the mini mills.

Check out littlemachineshop.com and cnczone.com.
 
I use a Micro Mill From harbor freight, it's not a bad machine once you get used to the fact that it's so freaking small. It takes MT2 collets(way smaller than R8) and you can get them at the littlest machine shop's website. I think collets, Draw bar, hold down clamps, vise, and the mill didn't cost me more than $500.
 
After buying and using both a small Grizzly and a Sherline, I nearly went with a downsized import knee mill. Because it was important to have all my machines in my heated, basement shop I decided to go with a benchtop, square columned mill made by Wabeco (German made). It cost a lot but you DO get what you pay for. I use it constantly on S.S. and Ti and it does quick accurate work for a machine in the 250 lb range. No regrets.
 
I have a Grizzly with a round column. The trouble with it is that in a middle of a job you can't lower the table, you have to raise the head, and there is no way to keep it indexed. I would think that the square column mills would be better, but I haven't gotten my hands on one yet.
Bob
 
On mine I had a height stop...well, until the cheap pot metal bolt snapped. It worked okay, but not precision by any means.
 
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