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Small milling machines

DShortt

DShortt

Gold $$ Contributor
Are any of the small milling machines worth the cost? I know the big machines are best for rigidity and power but those just aren't practical for my garage workshop. I get along fine with a SouthBend Heavy 10 and I'm looking for a small milling machine with decent capabilities. I don't have a business nor do I want to start one, I just want something with decent capabilities for my personal projects. Any helpful suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
 
Walt Krafft said:
Buy a used Bridgeport. It will likely have a lot of wear and play. Should be ok for hobby use and you might be lucky and get a good one.
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If I had the room I would prefer one however I don't. I can't take up what little shop space I have with a full sized mill which is why I was asking about the small milling machines.
 
I purchased an old ENCO table top mill 2 yrs. ago. It has some wear and play but works for the small projects that I do. My shop space is limited as well and the fact that it is a single phase machine was a plus.
Am looking to add an inexpensive DRO over the Winter so the play in the knobs will not be as big an issue.
Look on Youtube and you will find a host of videos where folks have taken the table top mills and made modifications to make them very user friendly.
These machines don't take the place of a quality knee mill, but work well within their wheelhouse.

Bob
 
I have the biggest table top style they make on a stand. Dovetails and power up/down and cross feed. Even with that bolted tight to the floor it's a bit less than desirable but it works. small slow cuts on dovetails and most work. I use it more as a drill press and to open and clean up stock bedding more than anything. It will get you by.
 
Both of the above are obviously very nice but unfortunately I have neither the room nor the budget for either one. It looks like I'm going to have to spend more than I'd hoped but I simply don't do enough to justify $7,000 or more.
If I had room I'd look for a used knee mill but I don't have it.
 
DShortt said:
Both of the above are obviously very nice but unfortunately I have neither the room nor the budget for either one. It looks like I'm going to have to spend more than I'd hoped but I simply don't do enough to justify $7,000 or more.
If I had room I'd look for a used knee mill but I don't have it.
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i picked up mine for a nice used price, It is made in Taiwan
 
DShortt said:
If I had the room I would prefer one however I don't. I can't take up what little shop space I have with a full sized mill which is why I was asking about the small milling machines.
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you obviously have not seen the small Bridgeport's
 
DShortt said:
You are correct, the only Bridgeports I've seen for sale used are the large knee mills.
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I worked at a place that had a Bridgeport you could put in a small closet, used machinery places are EVERYWHERE, as far as the table goes, you just replace the brass nuts under the table.
 
As a toolmaker I would advise to buy the most rigid machine you can find , can be used too.
Also remember you need room for the work holding vise, so add that the the parts you trying to make.
Use high speed tools for cutting more forgiving than carbide on small machine...
 
I have a Mill-rite. Smaller than a Bridgeport, had a 3 phase but gutted the housing and put a DC motor with variable speed control on it.

Topstrap
 
A tabletop mill has to sit on a stand so you take up the same amount of room, theyre usually priced higher because theres a bigger audience that thinks thats what they need and they seriously lack ability. You can buy a used bridgeport for $1500 locally and itll do anything you need with no compromises. You can mill a whole barrel channel on it too.
 
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