Appropriate Milling Machine suggestions

NavyShooter

NavyShooter

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Goodday Gents,

Can anyone suggest some milling machine options for the $1200-1500 range?

Looking at 115 for power, 220 is not available where I'm looking at setting up.

I know this is bottom end, but you have to start somewhere, and I'm not against getting used.

NS
 
find a good used bridgeport or copy , it will more than likely be more accurate than anything "new " in that price range even if it is wore out .

I have a new import i paid over $4500.00 wish i would have bought a good used one in the same price range :(

My oppinion for what it's worth ..... :)
 
You've probably looked at the import mill/drills that retail in that price range; they are an option, but..... As far as power goes, 110v could be a problem. Most used industrial machines will be 3 phase 550v. Even smaller ones are often 220v. It might be possible to remotor to 110v.
 
milling machine

Dear Friend

Just go on the Buzy Bee Tools site:Model b-1976.I have one since 1999 no problem 115v Priced under $1500.00.Excellent service fast shipping





DESERTFOX
 
winchester_070 said:
find a good used bridgeport or copy , it will more than likely be more accurate than anything "new " in that price range even if it is wore out .

I have a new import i paid over $4500.00 wish i would have bought a good used one in the same price range :(

My oppinion for what it's worth ..... :)
Click to expand...


+1

Get a Bridgeport or clone/copy.
They are worth the extra buck and ya won't go looking eslewhere either.
You can have a look at our modest home shop in the following link:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38909&page=9
 
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What import brand did you buy for 4500? Just curious what the problem was.

Some of them are junk, but some are great deals for light duty work. For a full size bridgeport style machine new though, that was a low price.
 
There is no need to remotor for 110V. There is 220V in every house. Your electric stove and electric drier are fed with 220V. Everyone can do machinning and welding out of the house.
 
svt-40 said:
There is no need to remotor for 110V. There is 220V in every house. Your electric stove and electric drier are fed with 220V. Everyone can do machinning and welding out of the house.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but maybe he doesn't want it in his house - maybe he wants it in an out-building where there's no 220v feed?

I assume he already knows about his stove and dryer 220 supply.
 
If I recall the dealer local to me wanted closer to $1900-2500 for those machines.

Navyshooter, I, like you have been wondering about a similar size machine. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread.
 
svt-40 said:
There is no need to remotor for 110V. There is 220V in every house. Your electric stove and electric drier are fed with 220V. Everyone can do machinning and welding out of the house.
Click to expand...


Just don't confuse 220V single phase, found in every home, and 220V 3 phase that is not in every home.
 
Just spent an afternoon chewing the fat with a buddy of mine.

He's got a Smithy 3 in 1.

http://www.smithy.com/index.asp

His is the Midas 1220 XL, I guess it's a pretty kick butt piece of gear, and they do some pretty great deals for your initial purchase (free shipping, tool package, price rebate, etc.)

I'll get all the details when their info pack shows up in the mail next week, but he's been a professional machinist for a LONG time, and when he says it's good, that means a LOT in my books.

One thing to note is that the headstock can accomodate parts up to 1" in diamater....a good thing for lathe work.

I'm leaning towards the 1220 (not the XL) but we'll see what the package comes with for prices/etc.

If you're interested, you may want to order an info packet too. Free.

NS
 
I own a bridgeport now, just sold my much bigger tos. I also have had both the mill drills you list, the 30 is MUCH more rigid than the 25. Locally the 25 is around 1200$, the 30 is 1600$ if I remember correctly. Google house of tools calgary.

I would not recomend any combo machine, unless you are very tight on space .
 
The King, House of Tools, KBC and BusyBee machines are similar oriental imports. What might be most important is which company is closest, and would be in a better position to stand behind the product. I have used one of the larger versions of a mill/drill - came from Princess Auto years ago - and I could certainly do worthwhile work with it. These aren't heavy duty industrial grade Bridgeport type machines, but they aren't priced like one either. I passed on one of the Busy Bee combination machines a couple of months ago ($1100, retail about twice that). The mill/drill portion wasn't bad, but I was more interested in the lathe, and I felt that it would leave quite a bit to be desired - no quick change, no threading dial.
 
There's a busy bee locally, but I was not impressed with the Craftex stuff they had on the floor.

The lack of quick-change tool head was noted.

I am pressed for space. I have only so much space to fit the Drill Press, mitre saw, table saw, mill/lathe/etc, grinder, and so on into the shed. Not to mention having to find a spot to hang the kayak, and a small wood stove for the scrap wood!

The combo tool will suit most of my needs I think.

NS
 
There are Smithys that have a quick change gear box and a threading dial on the carriage. These are the larger, more expensive line. Granite? If you check their website, they are all there. I know two very serious smiths who use the "Grip" brand of lathe from KBC(?). The oriental machines have been discussed at length on the US home shop machinists' websites. The general concensus is that they can have warts, sometimes need tinkering, electrics can suck, but they can do good work in a non-commercial setting. QC can be sort of Norinco like. Some folks consider them to be utter scrap iron and suitable only for use as anchors. It is also considered to be a good idea to buy these machines only from long established sellers. Better chance of getting service, parts. The Busy Bee has one of their larger mill/drills on sale in their Barrie store right now, with power feed on the long axis for $1150. Stand extra.
 
Bringing this thread back to life...

Has anyone ever played with the Sherline brand of table-top stuff?

I was just looking at their CNC mills....kinda cute. Are they just hobby type stuff, or can they do real (gun-type) projects on them?

Anyone know?

NS
 
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