BJM

iTrader: (1)

Does anyone use a small mill at home? I do not want and cannot afford the room for a large Bridgeport or anything like that. I want something for making small pieces, modifying the odd thing, making tooling, etc. Manual is fine but it would be nice to upgrade to some simple CNC stuff at some point. Anyone else have something like this?

lionelc-5

We have a Brigport and a couple larger horizontals in our shop. We pic up used stuff areound here all the time. Im in Houston TX. If you give me some kina price your looking to spend I will check areound here. If they have anything ill get you some contact info. Not interested in being a middle man in payment or shipping, but glad to look around here for you. Like I said, im in houston and work in the industy, so I see them around alot. If your interested just send me a PM


Lionel C

BJM

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the helpful offer but I am pretty sure you deal with much bigger equipment than I can really use. I really want something small but functional. I am not totally fixed on a price range, I will pay for capability. I am thinking $1500-$2000

Formulated

iTrader: (16)

I think for 1500 to 2000 you can get something pretty nice. My dad has an imported mill, fully manual, with a 220volt motor. It works really nice, and he bought it used for less than 1000. You should be able to afford above the average Harbor Freight deal. Look around at some tool shops, or keep an eye out for used equipment. I would recommend the used route. If you don't go for a used Bridgeport, it will probably be an Asian import.

oange ss

iTrader: (50)

look at Harbor Freight

BJM

iTrader: (1)

I checked out Harbor Freight, they have some good choices fo rwhat I want actually. Shipping must be huge though since the stuff is so heavy.

red4x4chevy

Do not get a harbor fright mill they are hard to get parts for and are just generally not worth anything. Get a used bridgeport or acer. Acers get a bad rap but they are generally good machines.

Shock Hawk

Remember that quality is #1. If you get a machine that breaks, it costs more to fix. Worse, if you get a machine with poor accuracy, you may ruin parts.

BaddillaK

iTrader: (13)

i cant see spending $1k+ at harbor freight on anything, and like others said quality is number one... IMO i would go with a bridgeport if at all possible

mrdragster1970

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I also have been planning to get a small mill after the new shop is done.
I get that a used bridgeport is better than the low end stuff at harbor, but are you guys also recommending a used bridgeport before a new so called top of the line import?? Thanks.

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blown402

Craftsman has a new 12 speed industrial milling/drilling machine. $2100

BJM

iTrader: (1)

I tried to find it, do you have a link?

blown402

It may not be online yet, I couldn't find it , but its in thier new 2007-2008 catalog as a new product. sorry it's $2200.

mrdragster1970

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Talking to a guy last week, he has a vert & horiz mill plus a lathe, what would any of you that know better recommend 1st. Just used for maintaining our cars & any changes that we make and might do ourselves. Tired of waiting month's for every little thing from the chassis shop. Thanks.

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99LoweredSierra

iTrader: (7)

Go with Bridgeport for sure. I have helped my cousin in his machine shop and quality machines are the only way to go!!

Silver LT

Here are a couple of suggestions. Go the Yahoo Groups and join the "drillmill" group; there is lots of info on bench top mills. Another place to look is Grizzly, they have a whole line of quality mills. My suggestion would be a 12 speed, with the largest table you can afford, and the longest quill stroke. http://www.grizzly.com/catalog/2007/Main/544 The most of the mills from Taiwan are of good quality, the stuff from China is hit and miss.

I had a bench top machine for several years (before moving up to a Bridgeport style mill). These work great for projects that are not too much bigger than a shoe box. Do be prepared, that over time, you will need to spend about $2,000 for all of the tooling, to make this machine perform.

Here are of couple of forums to look at also:

http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/
http://www.practicalmachinist.com/cg...ultimatebb.cgi
http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/

Home Shop Machinist magazine, along with Machinist's Workshop magazine (both from Village Press) have get ads and articles.

Hope this helps!