is a milling attachment worth it?

upTheHill

upTheHill

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I'm finding that I really need a mill, but can't really afford one right now. So I've been looking at the milling attachments and it seems, at least for my grizzly 10x22 g0602 lathe, that there wouldn't be enough x axis movement, since the tool posts isn't designed to go much past the center of the chuck, and I'd have to have the bar stock I'm milling hanging out in the breeze towards the chip shield to get it to work.

are my newbie eyes missing something?
 
The way lathe milling attachments are often used, is to mount a rotary cutting tool in the chuck, and use the crossfeed as a support to hold the attachment. The workpiece is clamped in the attachment and it has a limited amount of up/down movement and can go toward/away from you by cranking the crossfeed wheel. Conversely, some people will mount the workpiece in the chuck, lock the chuck then, mount a motorized rotary cutting machine in the milling attachment. -Hope that all made some sense.

Anyhow, they work best for small cutting operations. Trying to do larger pieces on harder metals is likely going to impact accuracy.

Hope that scratched the itch...


upTheHill said:
I'm finding that I really need a mill, but can't really afford one right now. So I've been looking at the milling attachments and it seems, at least for my grizzly 10x22 g0602 lathe, that there wouldn't be enough x axis movement, since the tool posts isn't designed to go much past the center of the chuck, and I'd have to have the bar stock I'm milling hanging out in the breeze towards the chip shield to get it to work.

are my newbie eyes missing something?
Click to expand...
 
thanks Ray, by the time i buy all that stuff, i may as well just get a mini mil. :whiteflag:

the one on yakaz it's $225 for a lathe and $725 for the mill (fine print).

I'll just order the small g8689 one from Grizzly and have it delivered when the wife isn't home :whistle:
 
Yeah, take your chances with the Mrs and go with the mini-mill. That g8689 looks like a nice unit.

I've always viewed lathe milling attachments as a secondary way to accomplish something but, they serve a good purpose when you've got a piece that, once removed, will be difficult to re-center in the chuck yet, needs a small milling operation. I've never had or used one but recognized their usefulness on more than a few occasions.

Ray
upTheHill said:
thanks Ray, by the time i buy all that stuff, i may as well just get a mini mil. :whiteflag:

the one on yakaz it's $225 for a lathe and $725 for the mill (fine print).

I'll just order the small g8689 one from Grizzly and have it delivered when the wife isn't home :whistle:
Click to expand...
 
You could mount a motorized rotary cutting tool (such as dremel tool device etc) in the milling attachment then, use the precise controls of the milling attachment to maneuver the cutting device. Typically, the chuck would be locked into position and not rotating while this is going on.



shawn said:
I'm a little confused Ray, how would you use a milling attachment without removing the part from the lathe chuck?
Click to expand...
 
The lathe chuck holds the cutter and the milling attachment on the compound holds the part to be milled. In my opinion no they are not worth what you have to pay for them. If you can swing it buy the mill.

"Billy G" :))

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Like most combination machines, they are a compromise. In this case, a serious one. It is a way to mill something if all you have is a lathe, but it is not a real substitute for a milling machine. I would limit it to milling keyways in shafts and other light work. If at all possible, get a mill. At the very least, you won't have to mess with a lathe setup just to do mill work.
 
I think you should buy a stand alone mill - It will hive you much more versatility. Even a small mill drill would be better than a lathe milling attachment
 
Yes a freestanding milling machine is the best. But you also need room for it. I am using a attachment. Somtime I take my Gyro Gearloose hat on to finde a solution.
You can see what I have made in my albums
Jørgen
 
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