Which vertical mill to buy

I haven't used that one, but I would probably lean towards a square column mill such as the lathemaster. It isn't much more money, there are many satisfied customers, and it will stay in calibration better than a round column mill.
 
In my experience I wouldn't waste my time with these toys, just go out and find a good used Bridgeport and get it over with. Once you have used one you will never go back. Used ones are around if you look into used machinery dealers, and for what we are using them for they don't have to be brand new. You should be able to find a good used one for around $2000.00 but the difference is worth it.
 
What do I need to check if I decide to buy a big used floor mill?
I understand that they can be worn out. What exactly wears out in these machines?
 
Alex, last year I spent a lot of time researching the smaller mills and the mini mills, and I concluded that you can get a much better value for your money by purchasing a used Bridgeport type mill. They are suprisingly inexpensive. Of course this assumes that you have room to put a big mill, which I don't. :(

I wouldn't know how to check out a Bridgeport type mill, but if you know any mill operators they could probably look it over for you to make sure everything works.
 
Hi Alexmin, Scrap the Mazak joke :o I have a Jet JMD 18PFN , it is a round column mill/drill. As others have said they have their quirks, the only one I have an issue with is if you pick up a location and need to lift the head up for a longer tool etc. you need to pick up your location again.Other than that I have had zero problems with it ,it has been a great machine.The square column mill/drills solve that problem and would probably give you years of service.Not sure if any mfg. makes a pully style instead of a gear head cause I have also heard of the problem with the gears. A friend of mine has one though and hasn't had any problems ,yet.He loves his. I also have a Bridgeport style mill , I wouldn't trade it for anything ! You need the room for it as others have said,you also need to think about 3 phase power or a phase converter for that type of machine. All of them require tooling.Without good tooling you can have the most awesome machine in the world and it isn't worth a hill of beans.The machine rashid11 just pointed you towards looks like a neat unit.All in all you need to decide what you're going to do with it.Any are better than none.For a small home workshop it is the cats a** to have the ability to mill;bore;etc. etc. with a small mill of any make.IMHO I would shy away from the "Mini" mills out there. Those seem a little flimsy but I have never worked with one.I looked at one at HF though and it just didn't look like something I would want.Like I said,once you do get one (whatever make) you'll never want to be without one. :)
 
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