Woo Hoo finally got me a Mill

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http://www.ebay.com/itm/290771173797...84.m1497.l2649I have been wanting a milling machine for a long time. I got this one for $676 on Ebay. Going to pick it up on the East side of Atlanta Fri. I have to build a stand for it, I will post picks. Woo HooMaking as much progress as a one legged duck in the middle of a pond, just going in circles.
Reply:I've got a little Rong Fu mill from MSC I picked up used years ago that's almost an exact copy of that one. They aren't bad for what they are. They certainly aren't a full sized Bridgeport, but they are a lot nicer than a basic drill press..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Yeah, wish I could afford a full size Bridgeport but cant right now. This little mill will do the things I need done. I want to add power feed to the table.Making as much progress as a one legged duck in the middle of a pond, just going in circles.
Reply:Some where burried in all my paperwork is a set of drawings for building a power feed for mine the guy I bought it from gave me. I've looked at a couple of units from ENCO that might fit.Power feed is one of the things I miss from having used a full sized Bridgeport at the tech school in class. The other thing is the ability to move the Z axis. There's no good way to raise/lower the head and maintain zero like there is on a full sized BP. If you need to raise/ lower the head to change tooling you are F'd. I've also though about installing one of the inexpensive DRO kits on mine like the guy I bought my lathe from did. Supposedly I can easily swap the DRO assembly as long as I buy a 2nd set of scales. I see big possibilities for a DRO.I just recently saw a nice full sized Bridgeport go at auction for $450. The problem is there's no place at the house to put it, and the shops too wet to have it there..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Congrats Brother, welcome to the sickness. May as well just buy youself a big phase converter now, as three phase equipment comes a little cheaper, and start making room and saving pennies for a lathe and surface grinder.
Reply:Hi Bhardy, sorry to prick your bubble of enthusiasm, but that's a mill drill......the mill part is just in the title...it can't be described as a mill no matter how you use it.At best it will drill very accurate co-ordinate pitched holes....the round column does not have enough strength to resist sideways deflection from a milling cutter, even a 3/4" diam end mill will tax it to the limit.You can "improve" the design of the round column by placing it near a solid brick wall and making an "A"  frame that bolts to the top of the colum and the wall, so stiffening up the column a lot.I would also bolt the base very firmy to a steel tabe, bolted to the floor.....a wooden table will just go walk about.Ian.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWSome where burried in all my paperwork is a set of drawings for building a power feed for mine the guy I bought it from gave me. I've looked at a couple of units from ENCO that might fit.Power feed is one of the things I miss from having used a full sized Bridgeport at the tech school in class. The other thing is the ability to move the Z axis. There's no good way to raise/lower the head and maintain zero like there is on a full sized BP. If you need to raise/ lower the head to change tooling you are F'd. I've also though about installing one of the inexpensive DRO kits on mine like the guy I bought my lathe from did. Supposedly I can easily swap the DRO assembly as long as I buy a 2nd set of scales. I see big possibilities for a DRO.I just recently saw a nice full sized Bridgeport go at auction for $450. The problem is there's no place at the house to put it, and the shops too wet to have it there.
Reply:I am familiar with the mill/drill. It will do the light machining that I am intending to use it for. If I need a big mill I have access to a bridgeport knee mill. I am looking into ways to stabilize the head if need be. I have seen some nice work come off of a machine just like this one. You cant expect it to do things that a big knee mill will do. It will be very helpful in my little shop. I probably do more drilling than milling anyway.  Originally Posted by puddytatHi Bhardy, sorry to prick your bubble of enthusiasm, but that's a mill drill......the mill part is just in the title...it can't be described as a mill no matter how you use it.At best it will drill very accurate co-ordinate pitched holes....the round column does not have enough strength to resist sideways deflection from a milling cutter, even a 3/4" diam end mill will tax it to the limit.You can "improve" the design of the round column by placing it near a solid brick wall and making an "A"  frame that bolts to the top of the colum and the wall, so stiffening up the column a lot.I would also bolt the base very firmy to a steel tabe, bolted to the floor.....a wooden table will just go walk about.Ian.
Reply:Congrats Brother- some excellent work can be done on this.The only limits are your imagination. Enjoy it.NelsonHobby-Machinist.com - The Friendly Machinist Forum®My toys: South Bend Heavy 10L Lathe (1973)Burke #4 Milling Machine (1946)Van Norman #12 Milling Machine (1942)South Bend 14" Drill Press
Reply:I added a air cooling system. It works well. I ran three passes with a 3/8 end mill, 1100 rpm, .030 per pass, mild steel. Made nice cuts, chips stayed cool and silver in color. could touch the end mill as soon as the three passes were done. The vice is a 4" vice I made about 5 or 6 years ago. I am going to add power feed and a little bigger vice. Making as much progress as a one legged duck in the middle of a pond, just going in circles.
Reply:About 25 yrs ago I picked up an 18" 'Rusnok' combo vertical/horizontal mill at a yard sale, was listed as a drill press. Small footprint, weighs a ton, really, 2000 lbs. It was off a (small ?) WWII Navy ship. Base (cast Iron) was made by Singer sewing mfg. I havent moved it in 22 years.   Cost me $150.00  -corne-
Reply:First let me say congratulation for your new toy!You need space and budget to own a FS mill, buying the machine is one thing, getting all the tools to work with is where your money goes...I own a Logan 12" swing lathe and I have been hunting for a Lagun FTV1 mills for more than a year, (Lot better machine then a BP) always come empty handed because the shipping charge kill the deal. Buying a small drill/mill has a plan "B" look like a good idea if you really don't plan to do serious heavy stuff. You need to have deep pocket to purchase tools for a small one and then start over for a FS one, you have to keep that in mind and really evaluate your needs before waking up one morning with an empty wallet Miller MM211Esab Mini Arc 161LTSEsab Handy Plasma 380Duck tapeTy- rapKool-aid
Reply:I have a good bit of stuff that I used in school on full size Bridgeport. Complete set of r8 collets, dial indcators, axial indicator, end mills, I need a face mill about 1.5 in. Also have a jacobs chuck. Will get me a good vice. The only thing that I really had to get specially for the small mill/drill was a clamping set. The T-slots are a little smaller than on a fs machine. I know it cant do some of the things that a bid machine will do but it will do well for me right now. Can upgrade later.Making as much progress as a one legged duck in the middle of a pond, just going in circles.