Mill selection : Choices choices

[Toll]

Here's the situation. I have run into the point where I can no longer rig things up with wood, my drill press and a 6 inch universal vice....So I am moving onto a legit milling machine.

I am located about 30 miles north of Detroit, so Harbour Frieght is my friend in this sense. I am looking for a desk top mill that will be solid for paintball, gun smithing and general hobby stuff. I am looking for a lathe that does the same. This is where I am stuck : There's alot that can be picked up.

I'm sort of eyeing these 3 in one machines, though I happen to remember that any machine that does 3 jobs probably doesnt do any one of them very well.

I have narrowed my choices down to basically :

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=47158 (400$)
-The price is right, but really it doesn't seem like its going to be heavy enough to do a whole lot...My dog weighs more than this.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=44991 (600$)

150lbs..A bit heavier. Table's bigger, motor is more powerful, basically a linear upgrade. This looks like my winner

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=42827

and

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=33686

Look like they would also be solid choices but the price is really out of my range right now by the time I figure in tooling.


I guess this is mostly just thinking out loud but I'd love to hear some feedback and thoughts before I invest in a machine...I'm basically looking at the 600 dollar one and establishing a spreadsheet with all their valid information to make a comparison

I definately appreciate the time spent trying to read the specs, as their website is friggin terrible.

[questionful]

If you want to read through similar threads, search this forum:

http://www.mcarterbrown.com/forums/airsmiths-mcb/

I remember reading a thread there about 3-in-1 machines, where rainman pitched in and everything. Pretty cool.

[XM15]

I will try to help you out. I must say I'm a little bias being a professional machinist. The ones that you have listed with round columns "the winner" I would stay away from. They are more of a pain to set up every time you move the head.The square column ones, first 2 you listed, are better. The 3 in 1 machines are very limiting. You are better off with seperate machines. I would also say buy the biggest machine you can aford it will be heavier ,more ridgid and less limiting. I know not eveyone has the room or money but good quality old industrial used equipment is another option. I bought a 12" clauseing lathe for $800 that came with eaisly several hundred dollars of tooling. I bought a Bridgeport for $1500 with power feeds, vise, collets, and digital read outs. Even if you buy small table top models you will need tooling for them. Try to find auctions going out of business sales and such you can usually get a box full of quaility endmills, drills, lathe tools and so on for penny's on the dollar.

[p8ntbal4me]

Im no machinist,.. but I just bought a CNC so I will put in my 2cents.

I have talked a bit with Andy (warpedmephisto) of Warped Airsmithing as well as a few other guys that have smaller mills and use them alot.

Your money would be BEST served if you looked into a TAIG mill (or a TAIG CNC if you want to go electronic)

Ive sat on my choice for well over 2 years and I finally dropped the coin into one last weekend.

The manual ones run tops of $800, and they are worth every penny.

~ P8nt

[gommie404]

fella i use a chester model b lathe/drill/mill.
And its fine for what your looking to do.

just remember your only going to be doing small stuff your not making train wheels or any thing like that.


At the end of the day its the user that makes good work not the machine.
And every size of lathe has its cut limit. < the point where the bed starts to twist.>


As for gun smithing i dont think you going to find any thing better than a multi machine.
As i doubt your be friction welding any thing. and thats the only time you will need a big machine only then its for the speed.

As long as what ever you get has a lets say half horse power motor then your be ok.

good luck.

[Toll]

These 3 in 1 machines, my issue is with the table travel in relation to the fact that its just so cramped. If you wouldnt mind looking through a set of links and giving your opinion I'd be glad to hear them

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46199

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=44142

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=39743