Looking to buy a Warco Mill

After something heavy duty to make car and motor bike parts. Not models

My budget is up to about £3500.

I could probably get a used Bridgeport but dont have the sapce.

So any reccomodations

Edited By dave train on 29/04/2023 11:43:41

What sapce do you have? I’m not aware of the space needed for a bridgeport but clearly, whatever it is, you have less than that.

A 6x6ft shed

Head height is going to be the restricting factor as well as the floor flex. Any floor standing mill really requires a concrete floor unless you can make a rigid structure to spread the load, as the feet tend to be fairly close together. I have a Warco GH Universal and find it good for what I use it for but wouldn’t want to use it in my shed with wooden floor.

I would go for a Warco VMC turret mill, IF it will fit?

Tony

The WM18 is also an option

Dave I am intending to put my Amadeal bench mounted mlll up for sale this year. It has had little use since purchase, is in fine condition and comes with a lot of kit.

It's buyer collect only (Suffolk) but if you are interested send me a PM and I'll forward full details.

Tug

Which model is it

Current equivalent is VM32LV - R8 taper.

Warco VMC is a good machine but check the work envelope meets your needs . It is not as big as you may think .

Brian

Have a look for an Axminster SX4 made by SIEG, second habd one might fit the bill...

The "32" size, VMC and SX4 are probably as big as you are going to get in a 6ft square shed anyway, They are about 1000mm wide with the handles and by the time you have allowed for 250-300mm of movement to either side that won't really leave anything much at the ends. They are also 7-800 mm deep so by the time you have standing room that won't leave a great deal on the opposite side of the shed. The other thing to watch is head room, add at least 900mm for a comfy working height stand or bench to the overall height and then allow for removal of the drawbar if needed, the 32 and SX4 have the advantage here as the head can be lowered to do that unlike the VMC.. If it is a pitched roof shed then really want to go at an end so head is under highest part of the roof

So hopefully it's not too large car parts that you hope to be working on.

Does you budget include for tooling? could easily be 1000-1500 though some can be built up over time.

I bought a few years ago a used Warco mill and lathe from a local private seller.

The round column mill had a few issues that I sorted a cracked motor mounting that I welded.

It was not in the best condition but it could take big milling cuts compared to the new Warco VMC that replaced the round column.

For most model making the VMC is fine but as I'm now into full size engines it has limitations an example was my project crankcases machined from a billet.

I had to take light cuts compared to the old round column mill.

Edited By Windy on 30/04/2023 08:17:04

Edited By Windy on 30/04/2023 08:25:50

Jason makes good points about the space available particularly the head room, and certainly something to be considered from a working point of view

The mill I have for sale is little used and comes fully tooled and equipped with accessories including many cutters.

I will try to find time this week to take images and finally get it up for sale

Tug

In the hope that this 6’ x 6’ does not yet exist … May I suggest a big concrete slab

Do things in the right order:

1. prepare the slab
2. position the mill
3. build the shed around it

That is, of course, a very brief ‘project summary’ … the devil will be in the detail.

MichaelG.

Looks very similar to the Warco WM18

No

Its on a concrete slab

If it has a supplied wooden flor sitting on the slab you will probably find that a bit weak and what "joists" there are quite widely spread. No so bad if it is just walls and roof.

Michael makes a good point as lifting these things onto a bench or stand usually needs an engine crane or similar so you need room to move one of them about unless it is easy to take a side wall out.

Edited By JasonB on 30/04/2023 10:03:07

Looking back I see you already have a WM18 so these other mills being suggested don't really offer any more capacity to what you already have? Could be time for a bigger shed or smaller cars.