Buying A Mill Need Some Help

[lt500r]

I have been thinking of buying a mill for a while now and I think I have decided one the one I want but I am not sure if it is the right one . This is the one I have decided on https://www.kmstools.com/king-industrial-1-1-4-mill-drill-machine-2661 from what I gather it is mostly the same as this http://www.grizzly.com/products/Dri...-inch-x-8-inch-Table/G0705?utm_campaign=zPage . So what I need help with is would this be a good first mill to learn with and what type of collet set I should get , this type https://www.kmstools.com/magnum-15pc-collet-chuck-set-2954 or this https://www.kmstools.com/south-bend-12pc-collet-set-11133

Thanks for the help , jeff

 

[brav65]

Hard to say if it is right for you. You need to give us information about what you plan to use it for. your work envelope and meteials will define what you need for size, capacity, HP...

 

[jeff_g1137]

Hi
I would go with a square column, R8, & as big as you can afford, try a, s/hand mill first, see the way to go, same size or bigger. LOL

Jeff

 

[Jason Annen]

I agree with the above comment, get a square colum mill. Go with the R8 set, the er style uses up vertical space, and on a small mill, that can make a big difference.

Jason

 

[brav65]

The reason that everyone is recommending a square column mill is the the round column mills do not hold tram when you move the head up and down. I would tend to agree, my PM-25 has held tram exceptional well over the last year.

 

[Hawkeye]

I had the 25 size up until my house fire. The humidity did in the poor beast. I picked up the 30 size at KMS (same model you linked). I was impressed with how much more rigid the larger one is. Of course, I'm a bit spoiled -I'm running it with a 3-phase motor on a VFD. Very easy speed control.

I like the machine. It has lots of travel on the quill. The only issue I've run into is that the R8 socket is a thou or two small at the top cylinder. Some of my accessories won't fit. Some day, I'll make a precision reamer to correct it.

 

[lt500r]

Thanks for the input so far . what the mill will mostly be used for is gun and RC car related projects . I never took into account the round column being a problem , I am glad that was pointed out . Hawkeye has the round column been a problem for you ?

thanks , jeff

 

[Dr Stan]

Here are a couple of mills on the Halifax Craig's List:

http://maine.craigslist.org/tls/5520919096.html

http://maine.craigslist.org/tls/5540165263.html

Personally I'd get a used full size mill for less $ than the smaller new one. Spend some time and sweat equity tuning them up and you'll have a superior machine and have a fair amount of knowledge of the machine.

Here's the rebuild of my $400 Fray: http://s1016.photobucket.com/user/drstan/library/Fray Milling Machine

 

[jeff_g1137]

[QUOTE="Here's the rebuild of my $400 Fray: http://s1016.photobucket.com/user/drstan/library/Fray Milling Machine[/QUOTE]

Hi
I like the look of the Fray, looks different, nice mill.

 

[Dr Stan]

Different it is, but in the end its still a vertical mill.