Milling Machine

Hi

I have been looking for a decent milling machine but second hand they seem to go for not much money less than new, I am considering a Warco VMC machine. At £1800 from warco they are not cheap but do seem to hold their value. I am trying to set up a descent workshop and dont have the time or inclination to trade up. I do have the cash (not bragging). Any advice would be welcome. Bob

Decide what you plan on doing project wise, what space have you got, allow 1/2 as much again for tooling, do you definitely want second hand, or can you stretch to a new 'Chinese' machine?. I assume that you have a lathe, if you don't you could split your £1800 'tween a lathe & mill...​ WM 14 mill - £835... WM180 lathe - £840...£1675. if you only want the mill then your choice of VMC seems a good choice, again allow for 'extras' so £1799 +.

​There are other manufacturers of similar machines but look out for what's included in the price, some charge extra for delivery, what you get with the VMC as 'standard' others consider as 'optional extras'. I can only suggest Warco as one supplier as I have a WM16 mill & a WM250V-F lathe & both are serving me well to date...usual disclaimer... perhaps colour may be your choice... Blue ones, yellow ones, green ones, red ones, off ​White ones... & they're all made out of ticky tacky & they all look just the same... sorry went off the track a bit there, .

​As you say you've got the bucks then go for the biggest you can fit into what space you have, considering they're all of a similar design from the same one or two co's in China, based in Zhangzhou, with or without DRO's fitted, or fit your own, the choice is yours. I'm sure that other members will offer their own suggestions to your question... unless you want to consider a second hand Bridgeport / Tom Senior... now there's another tale, happy hunting.

George.

Robert,

I have the Chester626 mill, sames as the Warco offering...might be cheaper....?

Thanks for the advice whilst the tom senior machines look good i am offloading a pillar drill so i need the drilling function

Robert,

I also have a Chester 626 mill but an earlier one from Taiwan and have a three phase motor via a VFD and four DRO's and it is all that I need, though an extra 4 inches on height clearance would be nice when tapping sometimes.

Mike

I have had a Warco VMC for quite a few years and have never thought I wish I'd got something else.

Reg

I have had a Warco VMC for almost twenty years now. Mine is a Taiwanese made version that was made in 1997, the new price way back then was £2400.

The current Chinese made versions are slightly heavier built with thicker castings, and I think the quality is certainly good enough for the price tag. £1800 for a new knee type turret mill of this size with a swivelling quill feed head is still a bit of a bargain.

This is my latest adventure with my VMC, skimming the rear wheel brake drum of my recently aquired 1971 500cc BSA B50. The 18 inch wheel was too big for my lathe, but just fitted in the trusty VMC. Thankfully the riser block I made and fitted a few years ago made the job a little easier.

... though an extra 4 inches ... would be nice ...

Mike
Wouldn't be of any use to me now... ... Oooh you are awful.

George.

Absolutely lovely TS M1 just sold on Tony's lathes UK website. Did'nt hang around, not surprised at @ £2.25k. That's £2250 in old money. Mint table, nice paint, all the horizontal gear, quill feed S type vertical head, vice, collets AND A GENUINE TS slotting head...

Good S/H stuff does come up, ears and eyes peeled...

Edited By thaiguzzi on 10/03/2017 13:44:41

In my experience, a good second hand industrial quality machine will always give greater satisfaction than a new machine aimed at the amateur market. Three phase is no longer an issue with inverters readily available.

Most of all, don't be fooled by "Features". Quality machines let the user produce good work without grief.

But then, I'm a dinosaur.

Jim

I worked in a factory as a toolmaker and when an industrial mill or lathe lost its accuracy it was exchanged for one of the toolroom machines of the same type pending a rebuilt one being finished in another department. The reasoning behind this is that the toolmaker had the skill to produce top grade work on a worn machine whereas an operator doing heavy manufacturing work had to be always right without the same skill. So an old machine can be perfectly OK if it is not intended to be used for large batch repetition work. Most of my machinery is old flat belt stuff and I am very happy with that. Can even be an advantage. Colin

I bought same early Chester 626 as this in used condition, it had Full 3 axis DRO + vernier scale on quill + supplied with power feed ( which I had to fit myself ) for bargain price of £1k about 18mths ago. It was a well sorted machine.

As others do i made a 110mm head spacer which means i can leave the ER40 chuck on most of the time.

Personally I am pretty much old school and favour British machines, however I do very much appreciate what you can get for your money from the Asian suppliers. Big question would be would I pay more than double what I personally did for a new 626. Simple answer would be, more than likely if a decent British machine was not in my sights. I do think that the 626's fully kitted out are extremely good value. As a second hand unit it has so far been an excellent choice. I recently converted to 3 phase with VFD for much easier speed control.

Thaiguzzi mentioned the T Senior on Lathes.co site which went recently within 2 hours of being put on there. For its price it looked an absolutely stunning buy.

But there is also a 28" x 8" Marlow ( Dronsfields ) vertical still listed on the same site which is less than £1k that also looks a really good buy. Had It been available when I was looking, it would be in my sights. Its a nice size somewhere between the 626 and the short 42" tabled version of the Bridgeport.

If your choice is a new machine, then the 626 series have got to be the best value mills around given their versatility.

Edited By MalcB on 10/03/2017 16:26:31