Milling Machines

Slow down! Please don't be offended but I think your level of knowledge is not yet enough to wisely commit on a major budget item unless you are well into the 'no child allowance' income bracket. More time to read the umpteen threads on just this forum will save you money and give more satisfaction in the long run.
Which day are you at the show? There are lots of club stands plus SMEE who can give you face to face advice which may help or be as conflicting as above but you can cover much more in minutes in a conversation.
On day one you only need one half inch collet and one half inch (or metric equivalent) slot drill (more vesatile than end mill). So don't cut the machine budget to pay for tooling which can wait. You often get bundled tooling with it but don't let that sway you. Remember like the supermarket offers it's there to dull your judgement.

(China production. many many parts factories supply fewer but multiple integrators. Just like cars and you know all hatchbacks look nearly the same and all use the same brakes etc.)

.... but one of the useful applications of a mill/drill is laying out an accurate pattern of holes using the x and Y movements. You will want to do some drilling on the mill.

Andrew J well you learn something every day Thanks

Steve it may be worth a look at the Arc Euro website they have a deal on the X2 if no more than a bargaining point.

Olly

I think I use my mill for drilling more than my drill as its more accurate (anybody want to buy a drill?)

Same here. I do the bulk of my drilling on the mill now. The pillar drill has cobwebs on it.

Hi Steve,

What sort of work do you intend doing with your mill, and do you intend to invest alt in tooling, or just get enough to get by.

Neil

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

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.

Olly,

No problem; as to why you'd want a collet alignment screw I don't know. On my secondhand vertical mill (varispeed head Bridgeport) the screw had been sheared off before I bought the mill. I've never bothered to replace the screw, and haven't missed it.

Regards,

Andrew

If your going to the show do some bargaining. In fact you dont need to, just aproach in the shop should be looking for 30 to 40% either in tools thrown in or discount ie the Ama 45 machine £3800+ have had dearer better machine Super Lux for others at £1850 plus tooling. Know your prices.

Noticed some familiar machines in an Advertisement link on here, same machine sold by others around 25% cheaper, so know your prices.

Give me R8 any day, next best MT3. Even using Bridgeports with finger collets with sheared peg in R8 (not me) they dont slip. 1/4 of a rev undo, tap it and out pops cutter same with MT2 and MT3. Try that with ER types they take an eternity and two pair of hands ammongst other problems. 10secs to change a cutter and collet in R8, ER around 3 minutes if can get the thing undone.

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

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

Consider a SX2 plus from arc. I'm really pleased with mine. Small machines will always have many limitations. I too had space and funding limitations and find this a good comprimise.

I remeber reading somewhere else that the screw in the side of the R8 collet was to stop it rotating in the spindle as you tighten up the draw bar. It would make sense as the collet disappears just about flush and you'd have nothing to hold. The alignment function might be a bonus in that it will ensure a consistent placement.

Keith

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.

I would suggest the SX2 as well, not least because Arc will give you enough free toys to play with to keep you happy for a month or two if you buy it now, and they have excellent customer service IME (not to say others don't).

I think Arc have changed their policy on the 'preparation service', but as I recall it was optional and they gave advice on how to do it yourself.

Neil

I don't think ArcEuro offer the 'Preperation" service any more.

Take a look on their Web Site for their offer on the SX2

Dave

I seem to remember Ketan (Mr Arc Euro Trade) posting on this forum recently that the preparation service is no longer available. I think that he said too that they will not be attending the show. If you are interested in Arc machines why not give him a call. He often puts his head above the parapet here and would no doubt give you information on their offers.

cheers

Norman

Honestly, mine pretty well ran out of the box. I removed the table, wiped loads of protective grease off and cleaned a few burrs of the gib strips. Nothing more than a Haynes 1 spanner job. I have since added a set of DROs and a gas sping conversion kit. The DROs have transformed its capability. Save your cash for all the bits you'll find you need once you start to use it. I bought collets, clamp set and a vice. I had a range of cutters but found I only needed 3 collets.

Bob P

For reference: Ketan's post was on this thread

14-Dec-2012

MichaelG.