Is a horizontal milling machine needed?

Alcap said:
That seems to be the asking price for those here’s one from Pa https://allentown.craigslist.org/tls/d/upper-black-eddy-atlas-horizontal/7447805876.html
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We've had one on my local craigslist at that price that stuck around for about 6+ months, and then moved to facebook marketplace. Its been up THERE long enough that facebook no longer mentions how long it has been up! (though it is stupidly restored, someone painted the table!).

This one has been up for 1500 for almost 2 weeks: https://bend.craigslist.org/tls/d/bend-machine-shop-equipment-and-tooling/7454031421.html
Though, it is a different brand, it looks similar, if not a touch more skookum.
 
Alcap said:
That seems to be the asking price for those here’s one from Pa https://allentown.craigslist.org/tls/d/upper-black-eddy-atlas-horizontal/7447805876.html
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Yeah, that is why I do not argue much on the feedback of the price... around here there is no finding a machine like that for 800.00

But I got the confirmation that I needed... what I have is enough to do whatever I need to make/build.

Bi11Hudson said:
The subject has been well covered, I just want to throw in my $0.02 worth. I have an Atlas MFC because I wanted an Atlas benchtop mill. It has no real advantage over a good vertical knee mill. It's just that I wanted one, for my own purposes. Having paid under $400 plus freight, it was a reasonable purchase for me at the time. Allowing for recent inflation, I might go $800, if I needed it and if I still wanted one. Not much more, at that price, the seller is pushing a "collectable" or an antique, not a functional machine. Essentially the same reason I bought a shaper, also an Atlas. A shaper is an archaic machine that only does one thing that a BP won't. But I wanted one. The only point that overrides reason.

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You bring a point that hits home... More than needing this machine, or an old Atlas or small South Bend lathe, for their use... I just love to look at them. Say what you will on their capabilities, to me, they are just beautiful works of art that I would love to own and have in my garage if only to look at them and enjoy them for what they are... I do not need them... that is clear... but I would love to own them and take care of them until it is time to pass to their new owners when I am gone. I know it might not make sense to some...

Good thing that finances, and the CFO, hold me back from doing stupid shti...
 
wachuko said:
Yeah, that is why I do not argue much on the feedback of the price... around here there is no finding a machine like that for 800.00

But I got the confirmation that I needed... what I have is enough to do whatever I need to make/build.


You bring a point that hits home... More than needing this machine, or an old Atlas or small South Bend lathe, for their use... I just love to look at them. Say what you will on their capabilities, to me, they are just beautiful works of art that I would love to own and have in my garage if only to look at them and enjoy them for what they are... I do not need them... that is clear... but I would love to own them and take care of them until it is time to pass to their new owners when I am gone. I know it might not make sense to some...

Good thing that finances, and the CFO, hold me back from doing stupid shti...
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There was a time when my thought process was similar. Fortunately, we both have significant others that are far more practical. The first thing my wife asks when I consider buying a "new" machine is "exactly what are you going to use it for?" To that end I've passed on dozens of machines that I would love to have but have no practical use for. It really hurt because most of them were in close to new condition with asking prices at or below what they could have sold for scrap. Most went to collectors rather than people that intend to use them so in time I expect to see them back on the market.

My shop is now to the point it's getting a bit overcrowded. I'm going to have to let go a brake lathe, and possibly one other machine to make room for the "new" cold saw. The lathe works just fine, but like many tools its' age there's no work for it. Most current day brake drums are built so cheaply they are below the minimum thickness with the slightest amount of wear. Add into that they can be purchased for the same or less than it costs to turn them, and the brake lathe remains silent in the back of the shop.
 
I need to stop looking... found another one locally for 1,500.00

That is it... not looking any more... will stay with what I have.

Provincial said:
Based on the OP's list, I will suggest he get a Milwaukee Deep Cut hand-held band saw. Great for fab work, and even for cutting a piece off a bar in the rack so you don't have to drag it over to the fixed saw. I've cut wood with it as well. Once you get the hang of using it, it is amazing the things it will do, and how much it expands your capabilities. You will take on projects you would have avoided in the past. I have never used the cordless model, but my cordless M18 brushless reciprocating saw works for a long time on a 9.0 battery. So does my M18 brushless 4-1/2" grinder.

I got my Deep Cut used at a garage sale for $40.00, and it came with 2 spare drive belts and four new blades.
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I have a very old and cheap HF bandsaw... and I really mean old and cheap. Not sure how it compares in terms of depth of cut vs a Milwaukee Deep Cut. But when this one dies, I will go for that Milwaukee. Thank you for the suggestion.


projectnut said:
There was a time when my thought process was similar. Fortunately, we both have significant others that are far more practical. The first thing my wife asks when I consider buying a "new" machine is "exactly what are you going to use it for?" To that end I've passed on dozens of machines that I would love to have but have no practical use for. It really hurt because most of them were in close to new condition with asking prices at or below what they could have sold for scrap. Most went to collectors rather than people that intend to use them so in time I expect to see them back on the market.

My shop is now to the point it's getting a bit overcrowded. I'm going to have to let go a brake lathe, and possibly one other machine to make room for the "new" cold saw. The lathe works just fine, but like many tools its' age there's no work for it. Most current day brake drums are built so cheaply they are below the minimum thickness with the slightest amount of wear. Add into that they can be purchased for the same or less than it costs to turn them, and the brake lathe remains silent in the back of the shop.
Click to expand...

I can't tell you how many times I have seen locally a brake lathe or a valve grinding machine for very little money and how hard is to resist the temptation of picking one up... For what? Again, I have no idea, but it hurts to see machines in such great condition being sold so cheap and not being able to justify a fight with the wife to buy it...

I look at those valve grinders and, in my ignorant newbie view, I see a lathe tool bit grinder/post... I can't make something like that for the 200.00 asking price!

Valve Grinder Machine-1.png


Valve Grinding Machine.jpeg
 
projectnut said:
There was a time when my thought process was similar. Fortunately, we both have significant others that are far more practical. The first thing my wife asks when I consider buying a "new" machine is "exactly what are you going to use it for?" To that end I've passed on dozens of machines that I would love to have but have no practical use for. It really hurt because most of them were in close to new condition with asking prices at or below what they could have sold for scrap. Most went to collectors rather than people that intend to use them so in time I expect to see them back on the market.

My shop is now to the point it's getting a bit overcrowded. I'm going to have to let go a brake lathe, and possibly one other machine to make room for the "new" cold saw. The lathe works just fine, but like many tools its' age there's no work for it. Most current day brake drums are built so cheaply they are below the minimum thickness with the slightest amount of wear. Add into that they can be purchased for the same or less than it costs to turn them, and the brake lathe remains silent in the back of the shop.
Click to expand...
My wife has been good about letting me grab what I want as long as I don't spend a ton of money. I typically keep my 'shop and guns' money separate in cash, so I'm typically limited by that. That said, "it brings me happiness in the shop" is often sufficient motivation.
 
wachuko said:
Yeah, that is why I do not argue much on the feedback of the price... around here there is no finding a machine like that for 800.00

But I got the confirmation that I needed... what I have is enough to do whatever I need to make/build.


You bring a point that hits home... More than needing this machine, or an old Atlas or small South Bend lathe, for their use... I just love to look at them. Say what you will on their capabilities, to me, they are just beautiful works of art that I would love to own and have in my garage if only to look at them and enjoy them for what they are... I do not need them... that is clear... but I would love to own them and take care of them until it is time to pass to their new owners when I am gone. I know it might not make sense to some...

Good thing that finances, and the CFO, hold me back from doing stupid shti...
Click to expand...

I'm the kind of person who likes to know why things are. As a result I have ended up with tools I don't really need, but I had the opportunity to see for myself what they can do so I brought them home. The only rule I try to follow is not to pay more than I can easily at least break even on if I later decide to find them a new home.
 
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