Milling, lathing .. or what?

[conor1n]

So guys,

I've recently been looking into milling. Mainly because it's cool.

I've been wondering about getting a mill. Just to make stuff. I would rather a mill versus a lathe so I can make non cylindrical parts.

Would it be fair to say that milling is a whole vocation all on it's own.. Especially the manual (non CNC) type where there is a lot of skill required.

Is it the kind of thing that is not worth getting into unless you plan on spending a lot of time learning and practicing? Also, what are the Warco £1000-2000 machines like, can you do much with them?

Would it also be fair to say that the mill itself is only the start. You could easily find yourself spending the same again on things like a DRO and various attachments etc, before it is of much utility?

I'm not even sure I know what I can or want to make, just that they are cool, and making stuff is cool.

Thanks

 

[Munkul]

I would first start by working out what you want to make.
A lathe makes things round. A mill makes things flat. That's a sweeping generalization and one can do the other, but it's good enough for decision making purposes.

Most people find lathes more useful than mills. Usually you can find ways to make things flat "enough" by some bodging, or buying in pre-ground stock.
However, making things round is both very useful and often the best way to do something... e.g. pins and bushes come in just about every project with moving parts.

In general, most of us start by buying a lathe

"Any lathe is better than no lathe"

And yes, you'll easily spend a whack load more on accessories and tooling - goes for both a lathe and a mill!

 

[brightspark]

buy a lathe and a vertical slide if u want to do small milling jobs

 

[Kram]

Ideally you need both unless you go the cnc option, which will do both if its set up well.
Lathes can quite successfully do milling on smaller parts, the travel is very limiting, they are quite rigid compared to small bench top mills, which are generally rubbish. Mills need to be big to get rigidity in the column. Manual mills are less good at turning, but it has been done.

 

[Barking Mat]

It's a conundrum.

(From a friend who is a lathe / miller pro).

A mill is relatively easy to learn how to use.

However the versatility of a lathe...

Time and a place for both.

 

[conor1n]

Interesting thanks guys, i'm just absorbing all the info now.

I will say that I have noticed lot's of people seem to have lathes but not a mill, so that would appear to be a good starting point, as suggested above.

I don't know what I want to make.. just the idea of making stuff seems cool. I can see that round can be useful, as moving parts would often be round to an extent and be subject to wear and tear.

Could I make things like those retaining pins for brake calipers, pistons etc?

On a mill what is to stop me skimming engine blocks and heads. Would it literally be the distance between the vice/surface and the bit - which would mean you naturally want a large mill.

 

[Barking Mat]

Interesting thanks guys, i'm just absorbing all the info now.

I will say that I have noticed lot's of people seem to have lathes but not a mill, so that would appear to be a good starting point, as suggested above.

I don't know what I want to make.. just the idea of making stuff seems cool. I can see that round can be useful, as moving parts would often be round to an extent and be subject to wear and tear.

Could I make things like those retaining pins for brake calipers, pistons etc?

On a mill what is to stop me skimming engine blocks and heads. Would it literally be the distance between the vice/surface and the bit - which would mean you naturally want a large mill.

The curse of the Mig Welding Forum has claimed another soul.

As big as you can afford, and fits your space.

Or build a bigger workshop....

Insane cackling...

 

[Tigman]

And a twiddle of the moustache !

 

[Tigman]

I've acquired a mill , just needs wiring in and a few tools and I'm off , itching to get it going !

 

[Barking Mat]

Interesting thanks guys, i'm just absorbing all the info now.

I will say that I have noticed lot's of people seem to have lathes but not a mill, so that would appear to be a good starting point, as suggested above.

I don't know what I want to make.. just the idea of making stuff seems cool. I can see that round can be useful, as moving parts would often be round to an extent and be subject to wear and tear.

Could I make things like those retaining pins for brake calipers, pistons etc?

On a mill what is to stop me skimming engine blocks and heads. Would it literally be the distance between the vice/surface and the bit - which would mean you naturally want a large mill.

You can do heads on a mill.

But ideally you want a surface grinder, (another toy).

It's a rabbit's warren.

 

[My Old Landy]

It's addictive, I now have 2 lathes and 2 mills, plus a bandsaw........ all in a 15' x 8' workshop!

 

[Hood]

If I had to get rid of all my machines except one the one I would keep is the manual lathe. If I could keep two it would be the manual lathe and it would be a toss up between the CNC Plasma or the CNC mill.

 

[Hood]

Just to add, I wouldn't have a manual mill personally as CNC is just so much more versatile and quicker and you can basically use it as a manual if you want. Also don't believe anyone who says there is no skill involved with CNC, there is as much skill required, it is just different and potentially there is a lot more to go wrong in a lot less time with worse consequences.

 

[AKN]

It is said that the lathe is the only tool that can make a clone of itself. So probably the most versatile.

 

[roofman]

Greedy evil thoughts always seem to start at a Myford or Drummond and then go out of control

 

[Mr Fro]

Interesting thanks guys, i'm just absorbing all the info now.

I will say that I have noticed lot's of people seem to have lathes but not a mill, so that would appear to be a good starting point, as suggested above.

I don't know what I want to make.. just the idea of making stuff seems cool. I can see that round can be useful, as moving parts would often be round to an extent and be subject to wear and tear.

Could I make things like those retaining pins for brake calipers, pistons etc?

On a mill what is to stop me skimming engine blocks and heads. Would it literally be the distance between the vice/surface and the bit - which would mean you naturally want a large mill.

I completely understand where you're coming from!

I bought a £50 arc welder because I thought it would be fun to give it a go. I now have arc, mig & tig machines.

I then got a small lathe because I thought that might be fun. I now have a bigger lathe and a mill.

I dated a girl once because I thought it might be fun...

 

[brightspark]

I completely understand where you're coming from!

I bought a £50 arc welder because I thought it would be fun to give it a go. I now have arc, mig & tig machines.

I then got a small lathe because I thought that might be fun. I now have a bigger lathe and a mill.

I dated a girl once because I thought it might be fun...

she was small and petite and now she is bigger and a porker

 

[MattF]

I dated a girl once because I thought it might be fun...

 

[MattF]

she was small and petite and now she is bigger and a porker

Tact didn't even get a glimpse in that sentence.

 

[MattF]

Lathe would always be my primary choice. There are times I'd like to have a mill or shaper, but I'd be lost without the lathe.