Getting a small milling machine

you can save a ton on accessories by purchasing from 800 watt on Ebay.

http://shop.ebay.com/800watt/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686


or order from CDCO

http://www.cdcotools.com/

or SHARS

http://www.shars.com/
 
fishy said:
To give you an idea of capabilities of the x3 sized machine, I've been able to run a fly cutter with carbide insert at a depth of around 12 thou through 4140 no problem. I've had really good luck with a 2 insert facemill I use in mild steels as well.
.
Click to expand...

I'll admit, I am a little intrigued by this model. It seems to have pretty good capability for the size. Also it might be fun to hook up some servo motors and try the cnc'ing like a lot of hobbyists have done. I'm sort of leaning towards a smaller one for now simply because it needs to go in my basement. I will be builing a garage in the next year or two and I could upgrade at that point. Do you think that would be a good idea? It's just for personal use, this isn't going to be for a business or anything, at least not for a while anyway! :)
 
SouthPaw700 said:
I'll admit, I am a little intrigued by this model. It seems to have pretty good capability for the size. Also it might be fun to hook up some servo motors and try the cnc'ing like a lot of hobbyists have done. I'm sort of leaning towards a smaller one for now simply because it needs to go in my basement. I will be builing a garage in the next year or two and I could upgrade at that point. Do you think that would be a good idea? It's just for personal use, this isn't going to be for a business or anything, at least not for a while anyway! :)
Click to expand...

Take a look at the Benchtop Mills sub-forum on CNC Zone. Lots of good conversion info there. Most of it relates to running a Mach3 (Windows, and others based) conversion, some using EMC2 as the control system (Linux based).

It's a hobby! Try not to get too mired in the details. Figure on swapping out and trading up or down in size a few times along the journey, too.

I'd steer clear of that big lathe unless it is really cheap, and in really good shape. Old old iron, has it's own set of problems.
If you have a BUNCH of space, as well as the ability to pick up and haul up to a couple tons of iron at a time, it may work OK for you. The really old lathes were not big on spindle bore size either, as a generality. They expected you to do a lot of work between centers.

Cheers
Trev
 
Well, this thread has been quiet for quite a while, but I have an update. I decided that for now, it will be best to get the Sieg X3L. The size will be good to get in my basement, and it will be a great machine for me to learn on. It has the R8 spindle, which is good because I can get good quality tools for it, and then use the same tools when I upgrade. The plan will be to upgrade in a couple years once I have a garage I can put the machine in. I got the X3L instead of the X3 because that will give me 21.625" of table travel versus 15.75" of travel. I want to mostly experiment with aluminum rifle accessories and stock inletting (much better than doing it by hand like I have been!) for now. I'll get some pictures up when the machine arrives in the next while. Fun times!
 
find a used mill from a real machine shop we sold one for a grand last year. get r8 collets and a digital readout. that grizzly stuff is ok but not made for real work.
 
start looking in the used machinery websites to get a feel for prices and start putting some money aside. you might also look in the used Halifax ,Montreal ,and Toronto sites.
 
The X3L is already on the way. Once I've learned how to operate it efficiently, I may CNC it and then upgrade to a larger machine. That will require me to have built a garage though, as a larger machine will not fit in my basement workshop.
 
Ian Robertson said:
Where there is a will there is a way, I had a 3800lb TOS mill in my basement. Yes I did have to take it apart to get it in and out.
Click to expand...

Wow that's impressive to say the least! The biggest problem with my basement now is that the machine needs to turn sharply at the bottom of the stairs, otherwise I would have started with a Bridgeport type machine. Someday I'll have my dream workshop in a separate building, then I'll be all set :D
 
Been reading this thread with a great deal of interest.I am interested in making some small parts for firearms,firing pins,extractors,sight parts etc.Magazines also.Don't have any equipment but would appreciate advice on suitable budget machines that would be capable of doing small runs of parts.Magazines might require something a little more heavy duty,not sure.Welcome your comments.
Rob
 
Not many magazines are milled. Or are you referring to making the dies to form magazine parts with a press?

My mill/drill weights just shy of 600 pounds. It can do useful work. But it doesn't do heavy duty cutting. As lejarretnoir suggested, something like a Bridgeport is a serious machine.
 
SouthPaw700 said:
Well fellas, here's what I am thinking based on the discussions so far. Given a 1000-1600 budget it looks like it's between these two:


http://www.grizzly.com/products/2-HP-Mill-Drill/G1006

http://www.busybeetools.com/products/MILLING-DRILLING-M%7B47%7DC-1-1%7B47%7D2-HP-220V.html

Pretty similar I think, but some small differences. For example the Grizzly has a top RPM of 3000, compared to 2500. Will that make a difference if I want to be able to do wood and alum. as well as steel?

Initially the price difference seems substantial, but after the grizzly is shipped from the US I don't think it will be too different. I can drive to Dartmouth NS and pick the busy bee one up myself. The used market here on PEI doesn't seem to be too plentiful :)
Click to expand...

I have the busybee one and it works great, they do come on sale. I built a base for mine out of 4x4 tubing, i could use a larger top under the mill tho. The round columns do have issues and I have wrecked several projects changing height, on one of the forums, not to sure which the one guy uses a shaft mounted and indexed to the side of the head, then you position a dial indicator to the rod, move it up or down then reindex to the indicator. Check out steve bedairs site and varmint al's for lathe mods and other fire arm stuff. I have the busy bee/sieg 7x20 lathe as well, parts for em are everywere. I looked at more expensive options but unless your going to be using it a lot I would go with the more inexpensive option, as well if you need bigger or better you can basically sell the lathe for what you got it for minus a small amount, most of your money will be in the tooling anyways.
 
Well the mill finally came in, and I got all the red packing grease off it and got it put back together. I ran it through it's break-in sequences. It's currently sitting on a temporary stand until I get it's real stand welded together. I think it will be a great first machine and should keep me busy until I am able to get my garage up and get a bridgeport-type mill into it :)

6494239781_198b553cb2_z.jpg
 
tiriaq said:
Not many magazines are milled. Or are you referring to making the dies to form magazine parts with a press?



Yes I'm referring to making dies to form magazine parts.Firing pins,extractors and other small parts shouldn't be too difficult to make on small inexpensive equipment or am I missing something?
Rob
Click to expand...
 
Well SouthPaw 700 congrats on the purchase. Now comes the hard part, buying all the cutters and other toys. Enjoy the machine. The only thing better than buying tools is buying guns.:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom