HF mill?

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I just got this from the old man down the street that I help from time to time and he always tryes to pay me but I never let him. So today he gave me this. I know it hf and not a bridgeport but can I use this to learn on till someday I can get a real mill? SIN CITY METAL WORKSvisit my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/devvon
Reply:think thats a morse taper spindle , so any side-ways cutting might fall out.. Looks like it could hav an R8 collet in there , but you would know if it had a drawbar.        thermal arc 252i  -  millermatic 350P -   miller XMT, cp300ts, 30a 22a feeders, buttload of other millers, handfull of lincolns, couple of esabs  -   Hypertherm 1250 G3
Reply:Sure you can use it till you can afford better.  I feel like starting at a slight disadvantage equipment wise will help you understand and apply different work holding and machining techniques as you learn.  There are many many tools and fixtures available and you van do quite a bit with what you have, so have at it.  If you are interested there is a book by the US Military that will teach you some of the basics and help you learn some beginning stuff.  Hope this helps and welcome to swarf making, it is a blast.BobI'm spending my Kids inheritance, I dont like him that much anyway!!!!!!Enuff tools to do the job, enough sense to use em.Anybody got a spare set of kidneys?  Trade?
Reply:Originally Posted by woi2ldthink thats a morse taper spindle , so any side-ways cutting might fall out.. Looks like it could hav an R8 collet in there , but you would know if it had a drawbar.
Reply:If you use endmills, then use the holder and drawbar and there will be no problem falling out.   MT2  threaded for draw bar.  Of course you have to find or make a drawbar,  Just that quickly now you need a lathe...
Reply:Originally Posted by wd40prerunnerIs there anyway I can keep it from falling out? I just tried it and it did!
Reply:The world of machining like welding is a never ending one. You will find out real quickly just how many different types of tooling,cutters and bits you need. I recently bought an old lathe and I quickly found out just how much better a 4 jaw chuck is compared to a 3 jaw chuck. However, once you have accumulated a decent amount tooling,machining is really fun and opens up a whole world of new possibilities for fabrication. Have fun, I am casually looking for one of those little mills also....Lincoln pro mig 180Lincoln Square Wave Tig 300/wp 20/home built water cooler Victor, Purox, Harris, O/A welding/cutting setupsVintage Craftsman drill pressVintage Craftsman/Atlas 12"x 36'' lathe7''x 12'' w/c band saw Everlast 140 st
Reply:I just picked up the same one a few weeks ago   see my thread here http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=62624a lot of good info on the yahoo groups page http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GrizHF...guid=256498604You need MT2 taper for the mill holders if its the same model I have... R8 is for the bigger machinesTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by DemonSpeederThe world of machining like welding is a never ending one. You will find out real quickly just how many different types of tooling,cutters and bits you need. I recently bought an old lathe and I quickly found out just how much better a 4 jaw chuck is compared to a 3 jaw chuck. However, once you have accumulated a decent amount tooling,machining is really fun and opens up a whole world of new possibilities for fabrication. Have fun, I am casually looking for one of those little mills also....
Reply:Originally Posted by woi2ldthink thats a morse taper spindle , so any side-ways cutting might fall out.. Looks like it could hav an R8 collet in there , but you would know if it had a drawbar.
Reply:This might be a good read... I think it's the same model and he chronicles  his journey from setup to making chips with this machine: http://www.ktgunsmith.com/milldrill.htmNext, I'd recommend you get a drawbar and a tool holder or collets. Maybe something like this:http://littlemachineshop.com/product...Product+SearchYou might be able to make a simple drawbar from a long bolt with a washer. The drawbar on my old LaBlonde is a chunk of ready-rod and a few bits from the scrap pile. Whipped it up years ago... and it worked so well I never changed. I'm sure the machine isn't super accurate or rigid but with some patience and careful work you can still make chips with it. Once you have a few projects on it... you'll know what to look for in a larger mill or you may discover this does what you need (not likely  )Enjoy your new toy.
Reply:Forhire, thanks for that link, I noticed the same chatter problem on mine so I will try that set screw mod too.   I have the end mill set from HF  and 3 collets will cover most of what u need for this one, 3/8, 1/5 and 5/8 opening.    I don't think it would have enough torque to turn anything much bigger anyway.    Just waiting for another machine shop auction to pop up so I can try and score some more accessoriesTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Not sure you'd want to use a 5/8 dia EM in that machine.
Reply:wow thanks for all the replies guys. im going to have to look for that bolt that hold the spindle in.SIN CITY METAL WORKSvisit my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/devvon
Reply:Just follow the direction in the first link from Forhire on how to make that bolt.  a piece of threaded 1/4 rod with a 3/8 bolt drilled out and welded on the end will work fine as the shaft inside the taper is only wide enough for 8mm so you have to insert the bolt from the bottom.  not like larger mills where the opening is big enough to drop it in from the top Originally Posted by wd40prerunnerwow thanks for all the replies guys. im going to have to look for that bolt that hold the spindle in.
Reply:Originally Posted by wd40prerunnerI just got this from the old man down the street that I help from time to time and he always tryes to pay me but I never let him. So today he gave me this. I know it hf and not a bridgeport but can I use this to learn on till someday I can get a real mill?
Reply:Just a late thought, have you joined the Yahoo 3-in-1 group yet?  There are a number of really good groups on Yahoo that will be glad to help you get started.  You wont have to endure the comments on what a POS your machine is and derogatory newby comments and will learn a ton pretty quick.  I am a member of a couple over there and have gotten saved a time or three with info from the groups.  So if you have a little time look into the yahoo groups and see if they wont help you equip and use your new tool.  Tooling is a never ending thing so be prepared to spend a considerable little chunk on bits, holders, collets, mill holders and stuff like that.  Most of the tooling is usable for other machines when you move up so dont scrimp on them if you can avoid it.  The other machine specific stuff can be had from LMS , Shars and many others for discounted prices if you look for good deals.  Sorry to add to my prev input, but this should be helpfull to you.  Hope it helps.BobI'm spending my Kids inheritance, I dont like him that much anyway!!!!!!Enuff tools to do the job, enough sense to use em.Anybody got a spare set of kidneys?  Trade?
Reply:Originally Posted by forhireThis might be a good read... I think it's the same model and he chronicles  his journey from setup to making chips with this machine: http://www.ktgunsmith.com/milldrill.htmNext, I'd recommend you get a drawbar and a tool holder or collets. Maybe something like this:http://littlemachineshop.com/product...Product+SearchYou might be able to make a simple drawbar from a long bolt with a washer. The drawbar on my old LaBlonde is a chunk of ready-rod and a few bits from the scrap pile. Whipped it up years ago... and it worked so well I never changed. I'm sure the machine isn't super accurate or rigid but with some patience and careful work you can still make chips with it. Once you have a few projects on it... you'll know what to look for in a larger mill or you may discover this does what you need (not likely  )Enjoy your new toy.
Reply:Originally Posted by RbeckettSure you can use it till you can afford better.  I feel like starting at a slight disadvantage equipment wise will help you understand and apply different work holding and machining techniques as you learn.  There are many many tools and fixtures available and you van do quite a bit with what you have, so have at it.  If you are interested there is a book by the US Military that will teach you some of the basics and help you learn some beginning stuff.  Hope this helps and welcome to swarf making, it is a blast.Bob