Recommendation for mill?

[unioncreek]

I'm looking to buy a mini mill this year. But, since I've never done any work with one I'm having trouble finding one. I'm looking at spending around $1500. I've looked at Grizzly and Enco, but can't decide on one. I've heard about problems with round column mills, but should I write them off? I'm not ruling out buying a used mill either if I know what to look for.

Bob

[Hawkeye]

You'll hear this more than once - get the biggest mill you can afford. I have an X2 mini, which I've converted to CNC. You can do a lot of good work on one, if you take your time and work within its limitations.

I also have a ZX-25 round-column. The main issue with an RC comes when you don't plan ahead far enough. If you get part way through a project and realize that you have to change the height of the head, you may have a hard time picking up your reference point again. It can be done, though, so I wouldn't dismiss them altogether. Given a choice between a round-column and an otherwise equal dovetail, I'd go with the dovetail.

Used can be good value. I got a Victoria U2 horizontal mill with a vertical head and an estimated $10k in tooling for $500. Another $500 to move it and a bit more than that for a new motor and it's still a good deal. It does have some wear and abuse issues, but nothing I can't work around.

[EdK]

For your budget, I would keep my eye out for an 85XX series Clausing.

But you have lots of options so it depends on what types of projects you plan on tackling with the mill.

Ed

[Shawn]

I have a couple smaller mills, X2 clone that is getting cnc'd, a small horizontal Benchmaster and a Clausing 8520. The Clausing is a fantastic mill for the hobbyist but not really easy to find. The X2 is a good little mill (some better than others) but like Mike says buy the biggest you can afford and fit in your shop. The 8520 does everything I need a mill to do, the other two are just part of my metal illness.

Shawn

If I was to buy the X2 again I would go with the Little Machine Shop version, it seems to be the best bang for the buck from what I can tell.

[Mayhem]

(04-04-2014, 01:14 AM)Shawn Wrote: ...like Mike says buy the biggest you can afford and fit in your shop...

Let me clarify:

Buy the biggest you can afford and modify your shop to fit it in.

[ScrapMetal]

(04-05-2014, 11:38 PM)Mayhem Wrote:

(04-04-2014, 01:14 AM)Shawn Wrote: ...like Mike says buy the biggest you can afford and fit in your shop...

Let me clarify:

Buy the biggest you can afford and modify your shop to fit it in.

That's exactly what I did! The shop may need to be a bit bigger though.



-Ron

[Shawn]

Thanks Mayhem, thats what I meant to say I should know better with this crowd.

Shawn

[roundrocktom]

Ron,

On the OSB... for low maintenance, look at adding some sheet metal roofing from home depot. 2' wide sections, with a 4" overlap.

Nice part.... just use a bunch of super magnets to hold plans up for viewing, or to hold a small baggy with the replacement part for next weeks maintenance job, etc.

Random photo to give you an idea.

Tom

[ScrapMetal]

Tom,

I really like the looks of that. I'm not sure if I have the energy to implement it though (lots of shelving, wiring and conduit I would have to move now). I was kind of thinking of using some kind of welding curtains all around the mill to help contain the chips and protect the surroundings. I get chips EVERYWHERE!

-Ron

[roundrocktom]

(04-06-2014, 07:59 PM)ScrapMetal Wrote: Tom,

I really like the looks of that. I'm not sure if I have the energy to implement it though (lots of shelving, wiring and conduit I would have to move now). I was kind of thinking of using some kind of welding curtains all around the mill to help contain the chips and protect the surroundings. I get chips EVERYWHERE!

-Ron

I have pipe that makes a big U around the milling machine. There is a florescent light hanging from it on the front. I keep meaning to buy shower curtains to hang on the sides.

Last week I was fly cutting cast iron. I was putting my 1" plexiglass "safety screen" to good use.

Tom