Medium Size Milling Machine Ideas / Recommendations

[Colin H]

Good Afternoon All,

After realising my Alexander Master Toolmaker (Deckel FP1 clone) is too small for my needs I am seeking a medium size machine. A small table Bridgeport style machine would be good for most of my needs but wondering what else people have around this size? It seems the Harrison universal around this size look pretty good and minimal footprint. I have seen a Hermle of similar size but didn't fancy it as can find no info on them, no manuals and maybe has restrictive head height.

I am even considering a chinese / taiwanese bridgeport clone then rip apart, align and scrape etc.

I don't have money for larger Aciera or Deckel, Theil etc as have around 3k (dependant on what I get for my machine).

Any ideas welcomed so I don't miss on something I'm not aware of.

 

[MetalMonkey]

Thing is, a bridgeport is probably the smallest "bridgeport style" machine you are likely to find, most of the clones are a bit beefier.

You could look at something like an Elliott Omnimill 00 or a Beaver Model A.
I don't think a tom senior would be much bigger than the FP1?

There are a lot of vertical millers, e.g. pallas, herbet, gorton - but they don't all have the universal heads and some have odd tapers - I'd say really you want something useful like a 30 or 40 taper.

If you can step up to the size of a bridgeport clone, then there are a lot more options available

 

[Colin H]

Thing is, a bridgeport is probably the smallest "bridgeport style" machine you are likely to find, most of the clones are a bit beefier.

You could look at something like an Elliott Omnimill 00 or a Beaver Model A.
I don't think a tom senior would be much bigger than the FP1?

There are a lot of vertical millers, e.g. pallas, herbet, gorton - but they don't all have the universal heads and some have odd tapers - I'd say really you want something useful like a 30 or 40 taper.

If you can step up to the size of a bridgeport clone, then there are a lot more options available

Thanks for thoughts, yes space is the main issue. I think senior will be issue with z clearance once rotary tables and things are used.

 

[Rrobson]

If your looking for a Bridgeport type machine, the copies tended to be better, stuff like beaver, Ajax, xyz all did a copy, but tended to be a little more robust and more importantly has an iso40 taper rather than the depressing R8.
There isn’t much choice in the medium category unfortunately, i think most have been covered. Elliot did one which was quite compact, similar to a Harrison 400.
I dropped on a really cheap woodhouse and Mitchell 369 fairly recently which is slightly smaller than a Bridgeport but just as capable.

 

[Bravheart]

there's a Cleveland in the for sale section now.

 

[gaz1]

If your looking for a Bridgeport type machine, the copies tended to be better, stuff like beaver, Ajax, xyz all did a copy, but tended to be a little more robust and more importantly has an iso40 taper rather than the depressing R8.
There isn’t much choice in the medium category unfortunately, i think most have been covered. Elliot did one which was quite compact, similar to a Harrison 400.
I dropped on a really cheap woodhouse and Mitchell 369 fairly recently which is slightly smaller than a Bridgeport but just as capable.

I didnt think there was any in the medium category

as it goes from hobby straight up to large like a bridgeport then x large then xx large for the industrial machines

 

[Agroshield]

After realising my Alexander Master Toolmaker (Deckel FP1 clone) is too small for my needs

In what way is it too small? There are a lot of pictures around of FP1s machining stuff that looks way too big for them. It is all down to clever setups. On the Euro-style machines, using the horizontal spindle or turning the head sideways gives you a lot a flexibility.

I have seen pictures of an Alexander where the owner made a 'table dropper' to create more head room - a piece of plate that bolts to the X-axis and then to which bolts the standard table just lower down.

 

[daleyd]

I didnt think there was any in the medium category

as it goes from hobby straight up to large like a bridgeport then x large then xx large for the industrial machines

As said above things like Elliott omnimill and Harrison mills would be larger than the smaller hobby machines, but still a smaller footprint than a Bridgeport.

 

[Beanwood]

Good Afternoon All,

After realising my Alexander Master Toolmaker (Deckel FP1 clone) is too small for my needs I am seeking a medium size machine. A small table Bridgeport style machine would be good for most of my needs but wondering what else people have around this size? It seems the Harrison universal around this size look pretty good and minimal footprint. I have seen a Hermle of similar size but didn't fancy it as can find no info on them, no manuals and maybe has restrictive head height.

I am even considering a chinese / taiwanese bridgeport clone then rip apart, align and scrape etc.

I don't have money for larger Aciera or Deckel, Theil etc as have around 3k (dependant on what I get for my machine).

Any ideas welcomed so I don't miss on something I'm not aware of.

I think I should buy yours for £250, and then you can have @pressbrake1 Cleveland that's on sale instead!!
I'm only down the road - honestly it's no trouble to help a fellow forum member

 

[Rrobson]

I didnt think there was any in the medium category

There isn’t a lot of choice, it’s almost like

Bench top mill
Centec / Tom senior
Bridgeport
(Then everything else that’s bigger than that)

Not a great deal between those in terms of both capacity and weight. Just jumps from 250kg up to a ton.

You could go really obscure with a Victoria v1 or a Fritz Werner but I’d imagine these weigh 750kg or more so aren’t the easiest things to move about…

 

[Colin H]

In what way is it too small? There are a lot of pictures around of FP1s machining stuff that looks way too big for them. It is all down to clever setups. On the Euro-style machines, using the horizontal spindle or turning the head sideways gives you a lot a flexibility.

I have seen pictures of an Alexander where the owner made a 'table dropper' to create more head room - a piece of plate that bolts to the X-axis and then to which bolts the standard table just lower down.

It’s too small for most of the work I’ve tried to do. Much easier and more accurate to machine in one setup, especially as would have to move some jobs even during facing.

Skimming heads, machining large rotors etc.

It only has 230mm in X which simply isn’t enough.

 

[Colin H]

I think I should buy yours for £250, and then you can have @pressbrake1 Cleveland that's on sale instead!!
I'm only down the road - honestly it's no trouble to help a fellow forum member

Ill keep that offer in mind

 

[addjunkie]

An Aceria F3 is a nice machine! Or the bigger F4.

 

[Barking Mat]

Clives thread:

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/cleveland-vertical-mill.130500/

As already mentioned.

 

[pressbrake1]

I think the shortage of machinery these days means suggestions are pointless.
You just need to watch for sales everywhere until something that fits the bill pops up

 

[Colin H]

There isn’t a lot of choice, it’s almost like

Bench top mill
Centec / Tom senior
Bridgeport
(Then everything else that’s bigger than that)

Not a great deal between those in terms of both capacity and weight. Just jumps from 250kg up to a ton.

You could go really obscure with a Victoria v1 or a Fritz Werner but I’d imagine these weigh 750kg or more so aren’t the easiest things to move about…

Thanks for the input. I’m not worried about weight or moving it, more the travels and footprint

 

[Rkweld]

I used to use an omnimill, lthe leadscrew thread went and the guy who we used to hire in for repairs said the parts were not available anymore. Workshop manager would not give me the time to repair it myself which i believe i could have and now a bridgeport stands in its place.

A bridgeport is not a great deal bigger in the footprint (it fits in the space the omnimill was in but more snuggly!) but alot taller with alot more travel. It is also alot more rigid than the omnimill, making bigger cuts alot easier.

 

[Colin H]

I think the shortage of machinery these days means suggestions are pointless.
You just need to watch for sales everywhere until something that fits the bill pops up

I think you’re right. I will get mine sold then get ready to pounce

 

[RichardM]

Hartford mill (bridgeport copy)

Hartford mill. Direct bridgeport copy fully working order can be seen running by arrangement.selling due to new machine Collection from st7 area. May be able get local farmer to load on your...

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Gate universal horizontal/ vertical milling machine.

Gate vertical / horizontal milling machine. In exceptional condition, need to be seen to appreciate. 40 taper spindle nose, gearbox driven power feeds all silky smooth. Very versatile machine.

www.facebook.com

 

[Colin H]

Hartford mill (bridgeport copy)

Hartford mill. Direct bridgeport copy fully working order can be seen running by arrangement.selling due to new machine Collection from st7 area. May be able get local farmer to load on your...

www.facebook.com

Gate universal horizontal/ vertical milling machine.

Gate vertical / horizontal milling machine. In exceptional condition, need to be seen to appreciate. 40 taper spindle nose, gearbox driven power feeds all silky smooth. Very versatile machine.

www.facebook.com

Thanks for those, the Gate looks perfect for my needs. Need to get mine moved on and go shopping