Member postings for steve clark 2

Warco seem to be out of stock of the metric version. Are the measurements spot on with these machines anyway, I'd imagine that checking/using a micrometer several times throughout a job would be more accurate? Apart from the folks who live in the States does anyone prefer to have an imperial marked machine?

Ha ha, yes very good. It's just a fair old wedge of cash to me, I can't afford or plan to buy any more machines, just hoping to avoid buying a lemon first time out of the box as so to speak.

http://www.warco.co.uk/milling-machines/31-wm-14-variable-speed-milling-machine.html

http://www.amadeal.co.uk/acatalog/AMA16V.html

Now these two machines look pretty much identical to me, the specs are all most the same,.....although why is the maximum end milling capacity 12mm on the Warco when it's 16mm on the Amadeal?

Which one would you buy and why?

I couldn't get to the Ally Pally show the other month, snow prevented me from leaving home, hopefully the weather will be OK this Saturday, hoping to get to Warco's open day, may pick up a bargain??

Thank you, for a minute I thought it must just be me who's seeing it this way, others comments seem to be nothing but praise for the service/advice they have received. I'm not doubting their words/own personal experience but when you have clearly seen what's been posted here, you got to understand how I'm taking it, surely it's not the best way to respond to any new comer.

Ok, let's not dwell on the point any longer, Ketan I accept your apology.

Howard Winwood, I can assure you that I never joined the forum for a slanging match or to upset anyone, why would I want to do that??

I already own & use many different types of tools/machinery, I come from a service engineer background, I've serviced,repaired, stripped down many things over the years so I don't mind having to do some fettling to a mill.

My earlier comment about precision, think of it like this from a newbie's point of view, buy a cheap circular saw for example and you still expect it to cut straight just like an expensive Dewalt would, totally different type of machine I know but you get my drift?

I understand that ones skill level will help no end, not offended by any advice/help on that score, I normally pick things up pretty quick.

Right, let me clear up some points here, firstly I joined this forum to help me narrow down my choice of mill and gain some knowledge on the different bit holding systems, it really is that simple, I had no idea which suppliers of such machines were/were not connected with this forum.

In my very first post I did state that I've already had the "what are you going to use it for" question, I can only have this size of machine period so what does it matter, if the parts are for a train, remote control car, boat etc etc?

What on earth has my location got to do with anything either? I travel all over this Country, going to many different types of shows throughout the Year so don't assume I live in the South! What next, will my race or religion come into it?

You know after all the recommendations on here on the SX2 and the fact that it's belt drive, I was actually considering one, funny that you all of a sudden stated that you wouldn't sell me one.

Ketan, I must say, it would appear you have a 'big chip' on your shoulder about something or maybe you just can't stand any negative comments about the machines you sell, jumping on my post about the holes being drilled slightly out for example, that actually originally came from someone else by the way!

You know I didn't want to say this but I've actually spoken to you, some time ago I phoned you, asked a couple of general questions on lathes and the mere suggestion of a competitor's machine resulted in a big huff and you slagging them off!

I were most shocked and surprised, how unprofessional of you and you know what, I found them to be the complete opposite, most kind & helpful, I did end up purchasing a lathe from them.

Sorry but from my own telephone conversation and the way you have responded here I couldn't recommend Arceurotrade to anyone.

Anyway, many thanks for all the info from the other members on this forum, much appreciated.

If I were to buy a mill with plastic gears/drive and wanted to convert it to belt drive I take it that this is the kit to buy, is there a stockist of such a kit in the UK?

http://www.stirlingsteele.com/beltdrive.html

Yes, what degree of precision was meant? I wasn't sure. Those figures you quote sound reasonable to me, I can live with that.

Well here's a question for you, these are hobby type machines right, who makes steam engine related parts for their train sets for example, I assumed that the tolerances for such parts are important so it would kind of follow that the machines would be a precision instrument??

I am a bit surprised about the precision aspect, how far off are these machines then?

I'm sure that I'm not the only new comer to such machines who would assume that they would be pretty much spot on! How much do you have to spend to get one that is then?

For those that have one with a fixed head, how do you get on if you want to drill/cut at an angle? Let's say it's a length of bar or flat plate, I'm guessing that you are stuffed if it's in the centre? Angle vice would only be good for working on the ends??

In the past I've been told that it doesn't really matter which one you buy, they all come from one or two factories period.

This guy were saying that's bull because there are so many different wattage motors alone fitted to these machines, why would say two factories make/fit several different motors in the first place?

Thanks, now I don't know what to do, the E system sounds good, one collet being able to clamp a couple of different sized bits would be a bonus in my eyes. Is it like the system on a Dremel machine then where the 'cap' screws down tightly squeezing the collet around the tool's shaft?

Does the 'cap' part eat into/take away some of the available work height though? Would the R8 be better in this aspect?

Yes, I will do. What do you make of their extra charge/service of stripping it down/putting it together?

Others I have spoke to have thought that it's bang out of order, not really necessary if you are fairly competent with a set of spanners.

Now the fact I've plumped for R8 means that certain machines are out, like the Warco right?

Thanks guys, well the general vote for R8 has convinced me to go for that. It's just the rest I'm still unsure about. LOL

I can't give you a specific answer to the first question, has I've said before, does it really matter anyway? when my space & budget dictates that I can only buy this size of mill period, surely they will all only be able to handle smaller/lighter jobs.

Yes, I will need some cutters, who can buy them all when starting out? Just a few at first to get me started.

I've been looking at such machines, on/off for over a year now, been to a show and spoken to a few people, they all say that thier machine and back up service is the best, sometimes the more you research a subject the more it becomes blurred, just look at the conflicting views from folk on here, sooner or later you have to bite the bullet and buy one.

Edited By steve clark 2 on 15/01/2013 20:22:38

OK, let's say I bought that first mill on my list, that's got a MT3 spindle/hole yes, will all these different collets fit in there? I see they list a few different ones, R8, ER32 & ER25 have been mentioned here, which one should I go for??

http://www.amadeal.co.uk/acatalog/Collets.html

By the way, I already have a dedicated pillar drill for drill bits/drilling.

I forgot to say, it's shocking that you can't rely on the holes being drilled in the right place on such a machine.