Basic machining tools/equipment

[Freddy0309]

right a few months ago I was looking into getting a small bench top mill, unfortunately life got in the way and I had to use the money for something else but hoping to pick one up in the next month or two. I have no idea about machining so pleas treat me like an idiot and try to use simple words lol but what would be on your list of things to buy to compliment the new mill? And is it worth getting a collet set up over a the existing set up (morse taper I believe in all the ones I've been looking at)?

 

[Freddy0309]

Nope I'm not sure on anything I'm also not sure which one I'm buying but it's probably going to be either a sieg x1/x2 or the smallest warco. But I'm also looking around for a used machine and when I've the money in my hand I'll start putting up wanted ads. I know that's not an exactly helpful response

 

[Chris Stevens]

I used to have a small Warco mill/drill type affair..........found it a bit of a waste of time for anything other than very light model engineering type jobs, so you need to very much bear in mind what you want to use it for.

 

[addjunkie]

Some have a 2 or 3mt taper, but you still need to use a drawer bar, or things can drop out.

Id suggest you try to by a machine with a square colum, and an r 8 taper, if possible. There is a machine for sale somewhere on here 6 x26 for 1000 pounds, with dro etc.

Before you buy a machine, decide what the largest thing you want to mill and work from there. When it comes to table size and travel, dont forget you need to clamp your work down, this takes up space. Mills take up a lot of space, dont forget to allow for full table travel when siting it. If you buy too small you will either have to buy again or spend much time working around the machines inadequacies.

Tooling is expensive, a collet set is a god send if doing serious milling.

 

[Freddy0309]

I'm aware of the limitations it's more to learn the basics on and sadly at the moment I just don't have the space for anything other then a bench top type mill, once my stepdad has sold a few bikes and spares to make room in his workshop he's going to be buying a bigger machine but this will take a fair bit of time so would like to get a smaller machine to learn on

 

[Chris Stevens]

I would suggest looking for something like a Raglan or Dore Westbury..............far better than ROC bench top, and dont take up much more space. If you do go for ROC then try and get used, which will mean you should be able to sell for what you paid.

 

[Freddy0309]

Personally I prefer second hand machines as you tend to get a bit more machine for your money and as you say you tend to get your money back if you sell so I am keeping my eyes peeled

 

[optima21]

ER collets and holders can be bought fairly cheaply for morse taper shanks especially if you get then direct from the far east.
Im using er20 size, and my holders were arround £10 and a set of collets from 1mm to 13mm were less than £15 from the far east by ebay when I got them a couple of years ago

 

[Mr shiney]

I use a Myford Super 7 and a Dore westbury Mk2 with a full DRO. Love them.

 

[Chris Stevens]

I use a Myford Super 7 and a Dore westbury Mk2 with a full DRO. Love them.

Looked at a Dore Westbury, and wonder if they are noticeably better than ROC mill/drill type affairs? For instance would you be able to bore a pair of fork yokes to take bigger stanchions with Dore Westbury?

 

[addjunkie]

Looked at a Dore Westbury, and wonder if they are noticeably better than ROC mill/drill type affairs? For instance would you be able to bore a pair of fork yokes to take bigger stanchions with Dore Westbury?

Ive done that a few times with either of the Roc machines ive owned!

 

[Chris Stevens]

The mill/drill thing I had simply didnt feel rigid enough for boring fork yokes accurately? Cant see any problem at all with bigger ROC machines, and if I had the space/money would probably have one.

 

[Freddy0309]

If it helps axminister tools does finance or buy now pay 6 or 12 months later

 

[Mr shiney]

Looked at a Dore Westbury, and wonder if they are noticeably better than ROC mill/drill type affairs? For instance would you be able to bore a pair of fork yokes to take bigger stanchions with Dore Westbury?

Yep, absolutely no problem. You would be surprised how much they can tackle. I have a 3/4hp motor on mine and tackle some big jobs in my motorbike projects.

 

[Freddy0309]

I would prefer an older machine over new, when I've got some decent cash ready in my hand I'm going to start putting wanted ads everywhere

 

[Chris Stevens]

Is Hugh's 6x26 too big? Looks a nice machine for £1000.

 

[Chris Stevens]

Yep, absolutely no problem. You would be surprised how much they can tackle. I have a 3/4hp motor on mine and tackle some big jobs in my motorbike projects.

Will keep a look out for one then...............looks small enough to fit in a smallish space?

 

[Freddy0309]

Is Hugh's 6x26 too big? Looks a nice machine for £1000.

Sadly yes as that would be ideal

 

[Chris Stevens]

Shame............would have been ideal for me as well, but no space for machines which wont get used much.

 

[addjunkie]

Boxford vm 30 i think its called is a small mill. But like everything in machining if you want small and quality, tends to be quite expensive