First Milling Machine

David, make sure you clarify what they are quoting regarding weight. If it is Gross weight it includes the machine and all of the packaging. If Net weight it will be the machine, excluding packaging but may or may not include the machine base.

Alan.

I too have a LUX mill,morse taper quill,should have gone for the R8 type,better job all round. You can always go from R8 to Morse,but not the other way around. Worth thinking about !.

Strange.

My Tom Senior M1 has a 30INT in the horizontal spindle and a 2MT in the vertical S quill feed head. I've had tooling in and out of that 2MT spindle 1000's of times. Never had one stuck. Ever. Slight tap with a brass hammer and the taper is released.

Back to the OP - just my 5 Baht's worth - get a mill with a knee.

I personally would prefer a turret mill like the Chester or Warco 626 sized VMC's over a bench mill because of the added versatility they can offer.

Mines an early Chester 626 picked up 2nd hand with 3 x axis DRO and single axis power feed.

Warco have upped their game on their VMC by offering a variable speed jobby version which may be of interest.

If you can financially run to it go for DRO/ power feed options to kick off with, however if not and you are handy you can upgrade later yourself with better systems.

The problem with the VMC and 626 is the distance / clearance between the table and the spindle is very poor. I know a lot of people have installed a raiser to lift the head to improve table clearance. Also when you install the raiser you need to ensure that the table / knee can lift to the added height before it comes off the lead screw. Not convinced about the added versatility of a turret but open to listening to suggestions. Personally, as I mentioned previously, I was looking to buy a 626 or a VMC but decided on the Super Lux and I am pleased I did.

Allan.

Thanks for the input guys.

I was hoping Warco might be at the Machine Show in April at the NEC but it doens't look like they are according to the exhibitor list. I'm going to wait and see what they have there and what I can get my hands on for a demo. The Super Lux is tempting and I still like the WM18. I think a Turret Mill is going to be too big and I had read about the clearance. I have a month to decide which gives a little more in the fund to play with, so more suggestions welcome!

My first mill was a Warco Major ( pain to keep the register when the head was raised ) , followed by an X3 ( fried electrics ) and finally a Warco VMC ( I can cope with belts and pulleys)

I went for the MT3 option to make use of my existing tooling. Never had a problem either holding of releasing tooling . A gentle tap with a copper mallet being sufficient . I added a power feed to the X axis . It is not quite a "bolt on " as the literature suggests but it is not difficult.

No problems with the quality or accuracy . Installation was not a problem . Engine Hoist to raise the mill, slide the base underneath , bolt it together.

Brian C

I also have an MT3 VMC and have no problem removing tooling. I did out of curiosity make a self ejecting draw bar for mine but provided you don’t over tighten the draw bar in the first place a gentle tap is all that is needed to remove tooling. I also chose MT3 to utilise existing tooling including morse taper drill bits.

If only I needed a second mill !! I would certainly make a punt on this one.
**LINK**

BobH

Already on my radar but thank you!

Just looked at that. If that goes for less than a grand, somebody has got a bargain.