Was thinking of saving

[davidjohnperry]

Hi all I'm.looking to buy a mill to learn on and to future develop my skills as a welder fabricator and machining stuff seems to be hand In hand so I saw this place it's near to me
http://www.toolco.co.uk/pages/home/milling-machines.php
I just want ppls opinion on these ideally the cheaper end ones are in my budget
Cheers guys

 

[MattH]

I had the VM26 which is the same as the Warco and Chester 626 etc. it replaced a round column mill I had before.
I have since sold it to HughF and bought a Bridgeport.

All of their listed mills are just rebadge units that you can buy from multiple places.
That being said most of those mills are good little units but all had their advantages and disadvantages.
I personally wouldn't look at anything smaller that the VM26.

 

[davidjohnperry]

I have trolled eBay for stuff I like the ideal of something old but truth be told I can't afford problems in time wise although I weld for a hobby I do a lot of work with it but if this for by for project gets started with my brother coz all the crap on its custom I need to make custom or pay for it I can afford the v26 but is that a bit over kill to start with

 

[MattH]

The VM26 is essentially the same mill that John uses in all his vids. Check out Doubleboost on YouTube if you haven't already.
I'm sure others will come and say the same but trust me on this. Buy the biggest you can first.

 

[MattH]

As you are only in Yate (I'm in Longwell Green) you are welcome to pop over and see the Bridgeport and have a try. Not suggesting you get one but it might give you a better idea of the sort of size you will need to do the jobs you have in mind.

 

[davidjohnperry]

Cheers matt that would be incredible

 

[Wallace]

Getting a well assembled machine new is not always a good experience with the Chinese mills. As you live close by check the machine you are buying for faults before delivery.

 

[Pete.]

Like all things if you buy a budget oriental mill you'll get what you pay for, no more. The build quality varies by a lot, I bought one that had grinder marks in the ways and even large holes in them where the casting had cavities.

That's not to say you can't do work on them, just don't buy a Trabant and expect it to drive like a Toyota.

 

[Spark plug]

If your patiant good used machines turn up at the right price.

 

[taycat]

try your local model engineering club they might have something or point you in right direction.
from club i belong to i have bought a southbend 9" model c lathe with shed loads of bits, a a unimat sl lathe and a clarkson tooling and cutter grinder.
along with loads of other bits.
am learning how to use mill there as well.

 

[ukracer]

The VM26 is essentially the same mill that John uses in all his vids. Check out Doubleboost on YouTube if you haven't already.
I'm sure others will come and say the same but trust me on this. Buy the biggest you can first.

Is it....I was not aware of this. Very interesting , although my mill fund is below zero again due to sons imminent house purchase. Lol

 

[MattH]

Cheers matt that would be incredible

Drop me a PM to sort.

 

[davidjohnperry]

Will do mate super busy at the moment with work gotta plumb in a toilet and see my wife's ex boss over matters when I get home I'll look in the diary and hopefully see when we are both free