I've hankering for a mill, advice please.

[zzr1200]

I had a look at a late Elliott Omnmill 00 (Hoz/Ver) Mill the other day it went for 500 quid (on Fleabay) with some tooling in good condition, the main trouble was the floor area required for the machine/working area. Also it was fitted with 440 volt motors, not 240/440 volt so the cheaper phase converters couldn't be used.

I also like the look of the Boxford VM30 Mill, smaller capacity less options but appears to be a capable small mill.

I've seen a 240 volt VM30 for around the grand mark but I'm not really interested in the 1200 mile round trip to collect it from Peterhead Scotland.

My quandary is this, the second hand prices of a VM30 are not that far below (and sometimes higher than) the price of a new Warco mill of roughly the same spec.

Do any members here own/use a VM30 or an equivalent machine, any downfalls or problems, I'm after advice please.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

I had a look at a VM30 and was not impressed, my impression was of a mill designed for schools rather than industry.
There is no vertical feed on the quill which means it doesn't even double up as a pillar drill.
The other downside is the lack of power feeds.
The one good point is that all the ones I have seen are in excellent condition, perhaps because they never saw any real work?
The Elliott is a much better machine, saw one at a local auction but it went for too much money.
The http://www.lathes.co.uk/centec/ is a nice small mill as well.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Cheap mill if your quick!
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=271646310076&globalID=EBAY-GB&alt=web

 

[500e]

Friend has the Centec as WS link without raiser plate but on its own cabinet nice light machine works well paid £ 400 for it a few years ago had very little use when he bought it or rather stole it at that price

 

[zzr1200]

Cheap mill if your quick!
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=271646310076&globalID=EBAY-GB&alt=web

It's got the same problem as the Elliott the floor space required...

 

[Digger6135]

If you can accomodate the Elliot omnimill go for it, they are a very versatile machine, the change over from vertical to horizontal can be done in minutes, the only feature I miss is the lack of auto down feed on the vertical head quill, I have fitted my machine with a three axis digital read-out, it's transformed the mill.


Digger6135

 

[DanielW]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BOXFORD-V...083?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2343aea01b

 

[bigbadbugga]

Chester machine tools have an open week from December 1st to 5th, with many display machines at 50% discount

http://www.chesterhobbystore.com/exhibitions-15-w.asp

 

[zzr1200]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BOXFORD-V...083?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2343aea01b

Yep, but I believe the VM30 is fitted with a 3 phase 440 volt motor which requires replacing with a 240v/440v motor (or having the original modified to 240/440v, if possible) and then a buying a 240/440v phase converter.

All of which will cost approximately as much as a new 240 volt Warco machine....

 

[ukracer]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BOXFORD-V...083?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2343aea01b

.
expensive though

 

[zzr1200]

If you can accomodate the Elliot omnimill go for it, they are a very versatile machine, the change over from vertical to horizontal can be done in minutes, the only feature I miss is the lack of auto down feed on the vertical head quill, I have fitted my machine with a three axis digital read-out, it's transformed the mill.


Digger6135

If l had the floor/working space the Elliott would be in my workshop now.....

 

[ukracer]

Cheap mill if your quick!
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=271646310076&globalID=EBAY-GB&alt=web

Been watching this one but did not have the balls to get it in case it could not be fixed. If I had known it would go for that price and I was not away on holiday I would have had a dabble.. ;(

 

[DanielW]

If you have not got the floor space why are you quoting the VM30? as its more or less the same size as the Elliot.

weird

 

[ukracer]

If l had the floor space the Elliott would be in my workshop now.....

Is that the one maker purchased??

 

[zzr1200]

If you have not got the floor space why are you quoting the VM30? as its more or less the same size as the Elliot.

weird

The Elliot with the sliding head required 54 inch approx back to front, I suspect the Boxford require less room front to back.

 

[zzr1200]

Is that the one maker purchased??

Possibly, got a link???

 

[DanielW]

There's a junior on the bay going cheap.

 

[ukracer]

Possibly, got a link???

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/elliot-mi...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[ukracer]

There's a junior on the bay going cheap.

is that a
Juniormil . The problem with many of these items is living near brum they are either expensive or a long long way to go for them

 

[DanielW]

Well if there's a real need for a mill/lathe then factor price in the hiring of a box van and diesel.

You'll find its the only possible way of aquiring one,I mean you can always stop at services there and back and will be home at the end of the day with enough time to drop the van back at the depot.