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Recommend a hobby milling machine

Jay Christopherson

Jay Christopherson

Not An Admin
I'm looking for a reasonably good small milling machine to do some basic stockwork- inletting, etc... I have a drill press already and I was thinking that maybe it would be worth selling it and investing enough in a mill that it could do double duty. So, I have two options here: buy a small mill that is basically dedicated to small projects like inletting or sell the drill press and invest in a larger mill that can do both jobs.

In either case, what would be a good choice? I don't have a TON of money to spend and I was thinking Grizzly should have something that can do the job in either case, but I thought I would try for some experienced feedback.

Thanks!
 
Dont ever buy something that will JUST get the job done like a small mill...
Shop around and get one that will do everything you MIGHT want to do with one...
Sell the drill press and get a good milling machine you'll never regret it......
 
You think I need to look for a knee mill or is there something smaller that will get the job done? This would be going in my garage, which would have space for it once I get rid of the drill press, and I do have 220V wired. The only issue would be my ability to move something that big when I move at some point. I was hoping to spend $2000 or less and all the knee mills I have seen (even Jet) are a fair bit more than that.
 
You can pick up a used mill on Ebay for sub 2K, knee and all. Don't go the route of a hobby size mill. Take it from someone who wasted their own money.
 
bridgeport made some mills that are smaller than most mills I don't remember there model but they only sell for around $1000 and are far better than any bench mill you will ever buy
 
PowderMonkey said:
I'm looking for a reasonably good small milling machine to do some basic stockwork- inletting, etc... I have a drill press already and I was thinking that maybe it would be worth selling it and investing enough in a mill that it could do double duty. So, I have two options here: buy a small mill that is basically dedicated to small projects like inletting or sell the drill press and invest in a larger mill that can do both jobs.

In either case, what would be a good choice? I don't have a TON of money to spend and I was thinking Grizzly should have something that can do the job in either case, but I thought I would try for some experienced feedback.

Thanks!
Click to expand...


PowderMonkey,

I may go against competent opinions but, if you restrict your need only to stock inletting, and tight budget, and if your drill press has a strong quill, why not consider equipping it with a cross table?

This is quite inexpensive, and sufficiently accurate. Excellent also for precisely locating multiple holes location.
Finally, for woodwork, your drill press allow certainly higher speeds than many millers.

Also, this small quipmnts keep certainly a good second hand value, should you decide to go further later.

R.G.C
 
The majority of drill presses do not have the capability of doing very much work requiring a side load unless it's a huge drill press..
You'll get by for a while but eventually you'll ruin the bearings...
 
Preacher said:
Dont ever buy something that will JUST get the job done like a small mill...
Shop around and get one that will do everything you MIGHT want to do with one...
Sell the drill press and get a good milling machine you'll never regret it......
Click to expand...

Preacher,
I might agree with you if PowderM had posted in 'Advanced Gunsmithing'...But it seem his demand was for a simple and inexpensive solution for occasional work, mostly inleting (probably wood) with high speeds more than accuracy required.
Also, he seem to have some limitations: budget, space in the garage and power supply....

Well maintained beraings last lifetime. I have as back up one drill here who probably had made the WW2 war effort, and I bet the beraings are still original... Its wondeful to always have such a machine (X and Y crosstable and Z on spidle dualled to the 1810 of a millimeter) at hand when it is question to drill precisely locaed holes or do small worls whithout putting in action the 'Real' machine..

FWIW

R.G.C
 
Preacher,
I might agree with you if PowderM had posted in 'Advanced Gunsmithing'...But it seem his demand was for a simple and inexpensive solution for occasional work, mostly inleting (probably wood) with high speeds more than accuracy required.
Also, he seem to have some limitations: budget, space in the garage and power supply....

Well maintained beraings last lifetime. I have as back up one drill here who probably had made the WW2 war effort, and I bet the beraings are still original... Its wondeful to always have such a machine (X and Y crosstable and Z on spidle dualled to the 1810 of a millimeter) at hand when it is question to drill precisely locaed holes or do small worls whithout putting in action the 'Real' machine..

FWIW

R.G.C
Click to expand...

That's pretty much it right there. I want to be able to do occasional work on stocks, precision drilling, maybe some light metal milling (small parts, etc...). I don't want a piece of junk, but it would probably get used a few times a month on the weekends when I have time to catch up on projects.
 
It's sad that they don't make machines like they did back when...
The only advice I can give is a drill press was meant for drilling holes in stuff.
 
Preacher said:
It's sad that they don't make machines like they did back when...
The only advice I can give is a drill press was meant for drilling holes in stuff.
Click to expand...

Yep, that's true and that's what I have now. The problem is, a drill press cannot really do both drilling AND milling, whereas a milling machine should be able to do both. That's why I am looking for a milling machine that would be a decent fit for light projects (both wood and metal) and in a few years if I get into heavier projects, I can upgrade accordingly. The reason I was asking for a recommendation is that I don't want to buy something that is a complete piece of junk. I don't mind upgrading in the future, but I don't want to purchase something out of ignorance now that will be more trouble than it's worth.
 
GO TO RICHARDS CUSTOM RIFLES..FOR SALE SECTION. RIFLES---GLEN NESTOR PASSED AWAY & RICHARD IS SELLING A SMALL CLAUSING MILL FOR HIS WIFE. TAKE A LOOK-MIGHT BE WHAT U WANT..
 
ROCKJAG4 said:
GO TO RICHARDS CUSTOM RIFLES..FOR SALE SECTION. RIFLES---GLEN NESTOR PASSED AWAY & RICHARD IS SELLING A SMALL CLAUSING MILL FOR HIS WIFE. TAKE A LOOK-MIGHT BE WHAT U WANT..
Click to expand...

Damn, that would be perfect. It's pickup only, in Virginia. I'm in Washington state, dead opposite side of the country. Double damn. I'm gonna check anyway and see if there is anyway I can arrange for freight or something.
 
I had the same problem's as you mostly money as I am not doing the gun work for others, so no income being generated I had to setle for a drill mill. I know that a lot of you would not touch one. I did get the biggest one I could find. I worked on Pratt & Whitney jig borers that did not have graduated dials, once you understand how to use your indicators you can do wonders with junk from china. I have done what needed to be done but it's very slow. The machine is only half of the equasion as tooling to go with the machine is almost more important. Good luck with your quest.
 
If you live in Washington State why don't you take a drive up to the Grizzly showroom in Bellingham. They have a large selection of mills and lathes on display.

John
 
Powder Monkey,
You have a problem. There dosen't seem to be much of anything between the mill/drills and the chinese bridgeports except about $3,000. If that's a problem then your best bet may be to look at used equi[pment. You can pick up used Bridgeports at military auctions for a pretty good price but be prepared to put some elbow grease into it because they store most of the darn things outside, uncovered, waiting for auction. Ones at regular auctions and sales that are 20+ years old are probably worn out so choose carefully. If you choose a new mill/drill be aware that it might work OK for wood/fiberglass stock work but I wouldn't count on doing too much metal milling with it. They're pretty good heavy duty bench drill press though. Good luck with whatever you choose!
 
PowderMonkey,

I am not sure where you are in Washington, but there is a guy who just posted a Bridgeport on Craigslist and also comes with a roller cabinet full of tooling for 4000.00.

Tim
 
I just checked again and the guy in Portland has it down to 3000.00.
I am not sure how much tooling he has but I took it from the add as a bunch.
That alone is a big part of the money right there.
I have been looking for a long time and If I had 3000.00 laying around I would have this in my shop already.

Tim
 
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