"Toy" Milling machine question
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
"Toy" Milling machine question
While I've been putting a lot of effort into setting up my lathe to provide basic milling functions, it's really starting to be a pain in the butt with what I have to make and how accurate it might not be.
So, I was considering something small, affordable, and chinese. Like this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=47158
While I realize something from HF is not going to be the same quality as a vintage bridgeport, I don't have the floorspace for a human-sized machine.
The page above says suitable for milling steel... however I am concerned that something this small won't be up for the job. I certainly wouldn't need to bore a slot through 1" plate in a single pass... but slots in up to 3/8" thick mild steel as well as rectangular holes with slightly rounded edges (using a 1/4" end mill for example) would be really useful to me.
What do you guys think? Total, useless POS or would this be okay for smaller jobs and such. I have access to a huge bridgeport, but I don't want to overstay my welcome there. I'd rather save that access for when I need to vice something that's more size appropriate on their 12x42" milling table
My other "cheap" choices are stuff like this:
Micromark: http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares...oduct&ID=82573
Grizzly: http://www.grizzly.com/products/G8689
Harbor Freight:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=44991
So, I was considering something small, affordable, and chinese. Like this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=47158
While I realize something from HF is not going to be the same quality as a vintage bridgeport, I don't have the floorspace for a human-sized machine.
The page above says suitable for milling steel... however I am concerned that something this small won't be up for the job. I certainly wouldn't need to bore a slot through 1" plate in a single pass... but slots in up to 3/8" thick mild steel as well as rectangular holes with slightly rounded edges (using a 1/4" end mill for example) would be really useful to me.
What do you guys think? Total, useless POS or would this be okay for smaller jobs and such. I have access to a huge bridgeport, but I don't want to overstay my welcome there. I'd rather save that access for when I need to vice something that's more size appropriate on their 12x42" milling table
My other "cheap" choices are stuff like this:
Micromark: http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares...oduct&ID=82573
Grizzly: http://www.grizzly.com/products/G8689
Harbor Freight:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=44991
Last edited by frederic; Nov 12, 2006 at 03:52 PM.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
I think you will find several of those are the same thing. Find a tool store and go look at one. They are probably OK for rough work in aluminum but steel of any type might be a problem. Tools for steel need mass and rigidity. The China machines also have little resale value, a reflection of their usefulness and reliability.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 104
From: Staten Island, NY
For the most part, you get what you pay for. The first HF machine is not much more than a light duty table top drill press. I doubt you'll be milling any steel with it. Like Torque1st said, rigidity can't be stressed enough. Once a cutter starts chattering, you just trashed the cutter and the part you're working on. The Grizzly unit is usable. Brass and aluminum should be fine. Steel with light depth of cut and slow feeds should be OK too. Just remember, you'll probably spend as much or more than the cost of the mill on tooling. The number ONE most important (and expensive) purchase will be a good milling machine vise. Decent quality (NOT made in China) mills aren't cheap either.
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
Thanks guys... I figured as much. Normally I'm the one hollaring "you get what you pay for". Maybe I can find a bigger, badder benchtop mill used on ebay or possibly at a used machinery place. There are several near me. THe last time I checked the local used machinery places the smallest mill they had in stock was 3000lbs.
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
I'm not to worried about resale... I tend to keep tools like I keep cars - until they rot their way into the earth.
I'm just trying to balance usable with cost, since i'm not working. Used machine it is.
I'm just trying to balance usable with cost, since i'm not working. Used machine it is.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
First choice would be the Grizzly, second the Microlux, but I have heard their quality has slipped in recent years, and looks quite similar to the HF one. The Grizzly also has the most HP, 3/4 vs. the Microlux's .47 vs. the HF's 1/5th.
Of course, for a beast of a benchtop machine, check out p/n 2AC40 at grainger.com
Of course, for a beast of a benchtop machine, check out p/n 2AC40 at grainger.com
Last edited by Ford_Six; Nov 13, 2006 at 10:24 PM.
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Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Remember to disassemble any of those machines completely. Clean and check every part, replace sloppy bearings with better ones, etc, when you get it.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
Well you got up to $600 for a table top toy, all a waste of money.
I went to an auction and purchased a mill for $900 with a 10" KempSmith vice.
The thing that eliminated other bidders was it had to be removed 3 hours later from the building. Within 20 minutes I had my shops Pittman and lifted the mill.
A 9" x 42" Bridgeport.
I went to an auction and purchased a mill for $900 with a 10" KempSmith vice.
The thing that eliminated other bidders was it had to be removed 3 hours later from the building. Within 20 minutes I had my shops Pittman and lifted the mill.
A 9" x 42" Bridgeport.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
I wouldn't mind a 9x40 + bridgeport. Even if I found one in my price range, I don't have the space for it.
I didn't expect to buy such a large lathe... which is fine... except now for a mill, I need to acquire something smaller. Or at least small enough I can stick on casters. A 3000lb bridgeport, even on casters, isn't going to move very much
I didn't expect to buy such a large lathe... which is fine... except now for a mill, I need to acquire something smaller. Or at least small enough I can stick on casters. A 3000lb bridgeport, even on casters, isn't going to move very much
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
You don't want a Bridgeport on casters as they are top heavy.
I wheeled mine down the driveway with hydraulic switch gear jacks and the pitch for water run off alone made it almost run away from me.
You want the long travel 42" table, great with heads and blocks.
The wallet killer is tooling. Got a big rotary table at a machine shop auction for $250. What turned off bidders was it's 3 phase but then I have a 5 hp rotary converter, no biggie. It also fires off the Air Raid siren on New Years, worth a laugh locally.
I wheeled mine down the driveway with hydraulic switch gear jacks and the pitch for water run off alone made it almost run away from me.
You want the long travel 42" table, great with heads and blocks.
The wallet killer is tooling. Got a big rotary table at a machine shop auction for $250. What turned off bidders was it's 3 phase but then I have a 5 hp rotary converter, no biggie. It also fires off the Air Raid siren on New Years, worth a laugh locally.
