WTB a basic milling machine

[abroxis]

Can someone please recommend a basic milling machine that would be good for doing simple lock cutaways and beginner projects?

I am willing to spend what I need to but don't want to over buy .

[Riyame]

A good starter machine is this one. http://www.amazon.com/Proxxon-37110-Micro-Mill-MF/dp/B0017PTAHG/

[abroxis]

Thanks for that recommendation .

I wonder about the availability in Canada where I live.

[Riyame]

I couldnt find any when I looked but that was a year ago.

[10ringo10]

Cross vice & pillar drill will do...far less expensive may be called a drill press in the states not sure.
need a cross vice myself for a a project or two it allows you to move what your working on in the vice at the time in any direction.

[jfw]

I've heard good things about the one at http://www.littlemachineshop.com
if you do purchase one, let us know how you like it..

[Don]

I have 1 similar to this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsea ... 6+Drilling

Get a good vise, also go through the machine and tighten everything up .. they are shipped unadjusted. There are plans available to make that machine CNC ( computer controled). A mill is a Great tool investment .. enjoy!

[gnarus8429]

Be careful using a drill press with a slide vise. You will smoke your bearings with the sideways pressure very quickly with an average drill press. On the other hand if its just piece or two and you don't love your drill press that can be a cheap solution.

[dll932]

These sites are worth a look:

http://www.sherline.com/packages.htm
http://www.taigtools.com/mmill.html

Lathes and mills are very powerful tools-if you get good enough you could make your own locks. If you're in the lock biz you can fabricate tools and parts. Machining is a skill definitely worth learning.

BTW, I own a Proxxon rotary tool and it's much sturdier than a Dremel.

[Don]

here is an inexpensive small mill http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsea ... q=%2344991 right now HF has $7.00 shipping.

Sherline is also a VERY well made product.



Fun toy to have

[plugspin]

First, something to consider. A small mill may work ok, but keep an eye on the used market in your area (Craigs List). Our hackerspace picked up a mid-sized mill/drilling machine for less than the price of new mini-mill (mid-sized being a table-mounted mill only a little smaller than a full size Bridgeport). The nice thing about a larger mill is that you are going to get better accuracy in your cuts and you can also work a lot faster. Sure a hobbiest doesn't need to run as fast a a job shop but your free time is valuable. Being able to take off 1/8" of steel in a single pass makes life easier for you. I also have a hard time paying over $600 for a mini-mill when a good used mid-sized one can be had for the same price. No offense to the folks who like Sherline, I'm sure those are well made machines, but you can do so much more with a real mill for the same price or cheaper. However, I do highly recommend the training videos Sherline sells. Smartflix also rents them for a fraction of the price.

This is what I mean by mid-sized mill. The photo makes it look like an over-grown drill press, however it is much larger than it looks and way more powerful than a minimill:
http://www.grizzly.com/products/Drill-M ... able/G0705

I think the only single drawback is that the head does not tilt, however some might say that is a feature as it keeps you from accidentally making off-angle cuts. Just get a tilting vise if you need to cut angles of any kind.

Be aware that the mini-mill Harbor Freight sells is made in the same factory in China that makes the mini-mill Grizzly sells, etc. etc. So don't feel bad about paying $300 less for the same machine if it is nearly identicle if you decide on a new machine. This link has a good comparison of a few of the mini-mills:
http://littlemachineshop.com/Info/minimill_compare.php

Good luck!

[escher7]

Thanks for that recommendation .

I wonder about the availability in Canada where I live.

I would suggest a Taig lathe with milling attachment. Lee Valley Tools in most big cities in Canada. I used one for knife making and it worked well. You can put a decent sized motor on it and it will handle the power easily. I sold mine when I moved but I wish I still had it. Besides milling of course, you can do normal lathe work as well.

Here is the list of accessories at Lee Valley with prices. ( You can find the lathe by searching Taig.):

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.a ... ,330,50260