Mill machines and what to get

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salt

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Hey guys i'm kinda getting sucked into the whole gun makeing thing:dancingbanana: . I was wondering if you could give me any sugestions on what to get that isn't to expensive but will create most actions. I'm looking at one from busy bee tools but wasn't sure if there was better for the same price. I'm looking at spendin no more than 3 grand but i would like it to be more around 2 grand.
 
2 grand will not buy you much more than a hobby mill. If your budget is limited, I would start hunting for a good used machine. I have seen older Bridgeports in the 3 grand range, and they are far better quality than a sloppy Chinese mill.

New, expect to spend 5-10K or more for a machine that will serve you well.

Just my .02;)
 
I bought a used bridgeport for $2500.00 works great,
by the time I bought tooling, vise etc I was up around 4k
look around at some used tool places you may find something cheap
 
First, it's not as easy as it sounds. You'll need a lathe as well as a mill if you want to scratch build, and a solid knowledge of metallurgy and heat treating procedures (and equipment), as it's not as simple as cut it and use it.

On a cylindrical bolt action, a mill will be used to do the loading/ejection port, trigger and sear accomodation, locking areas, and it's possible with the proper tooling to work some kind of raceways. (I'm honestly not sure how the big makers do action length raceways, broaching perhaps.) That leaves a lot left to do, some on lathe, some perhaps by other methods. In the end, you're better off to take the gunsmithing course at SAIT and just play with rebarrelling commercial actions, but this is just my opinion, though it will be cheaper.
 
Tell you what, come visit

salt said:
I was wondering if you could give me any sugestions on what to get that isn't to expensive but will create most actions.
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Hey Salt,

Tell you what, you stated Ontario as your location. If that happens to be eastern Ontario (as in close to Quebec), I invite you to visit my machine shop to get a rough idea of what is required as a decent milling machine and lathe.

As Ardent has suggested, it is not as easy as it appears to be and it is more expensive than you think. I have access to a fully equipped machine shop and I hardly venture any further than miner repairs and/or modifications (garage gunsmith as they would say).

Send me a PM and if you are not too far away and Montreal is easily accessible to you, it would be my pleasure to show you the shop.

Always tinkering:)
Robert
 
Robert(Rlg), I would like to know if you could recommend a decent school.

I already know about the Rosemount Technology Center but do you know of any other places?
 
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Yes, absolutely

[QUOTE=Tehoke01]Robert(Rlg), I'm looking to start Machinist courses in the Montreal area in the near future and I would like to know if you could recommend a decent school[/QUOTE]


Dawson College has a program called "Mech Tech" which I assume is short for Mechanical Technology where you learn everything from tool and die work, machine operations, as well as a little metallurgy. Check it out, it is a good program.

I will also extend the same invitation to you as I did to SALT. Send me PM and we can exchange co-ordinates and we can then make arrangements for a plant tour.

There is nothing like the smell of oil on metal.

I love steel
Robert
 
I'm in the "Mech Tech" program, Design major and my father has a home shop.
Feel free to contact me for more program info.
Quick link about the program:
http://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/programs/tech/mechtech/index.php#program

A few pics of our home shop (bit messy due to holidays...normaly very clean):

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BTW, the cost of the machines ins't much when compared to the tooling.
Think of the metal working machines as guns, they need bullets of different kinds for different applications.
 
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Get a Lathe first would be my answer.

There is pretty much nothing that can be made on a mill that with some thinking you wont be able to do on a lathe. :)

Dimitri
 
Hey guys I was wondering if you have heard much about the south bend lathes.
I have a buddy who wants to get rid of one that is a model A Catolog number of CL644Z. Is it big enough to do stuff on or should I forget it. Thanks
 
Sorry my computer decided to double post. I can't figure out how to delete it.

Hey guys I was wondering if you have heard much about the south bend lathes.
I have a buddy who wants to get rid of one that is a model A Catolog number of CL644Z. Is it big enough to do stuff on or should I forget it. Thanks
 
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South Bends are/were American made:

http://www.lathes.co.uk/southbend/index.html

They are good machines but there is alot to check out to see if that machine is good the bed/carrige ways, gearing, lead screw, etc. Might need more work then its worth so make sure its good for you, its more important to make sure its a good lathe then it is to when buying a used car in my opinion. Especially if this is a starter lathe, if you end up with a bad lathe you might get disapointed in your machining ability when its the machines fault. :)

Dimitri
 
salt said:
Hey guys I was wondering if you have heard much about the south bend lathes.
I have a buddy who wants to get rid of one that is a model A Catolog number of CL644Z. Is it big enough to do stuff on or should I forget it. Thanks
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South Bend lathes are one of the better made machines out there.If I was gonna buy an engine lathe I would look for a TOS,they are unbelieveably well made and rigid as hell.The old TOS we have at work will peel off a .750" cut like nobody's buisiness,not many of the newer junk out will even come close without stalling or going into thermal meltdown.
 
Thanks for the compliments gentlemen, but the shop is my fathers and all credit is his, I just use it.
Yes that is a 13"x36" Colchester and the little gray one is a South Bend Model A Precision Lathe, the mill is a Bridgeport, the big bandsaw is a Powermatic 20" model 87, we got another bandsaw behind the mill (it's a horizontal 7"x12"), a compressed air system and a couple of drill presses.
Cheers,

-s9s
 
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