Looking for my perfect size hobby mill....

[dabear3428]

I am glad I listened to the voices in my head. Those were heavily influenced by the folks here. I started not wanting anything used and finished buying two used machines.

If you can, just go big… the difference in weight and rigidity of a big machine makes working on anything, so much better.

I wished I had done that from the start…but I did not listen at first… pardon the mess, work in progress as I decide where everything goes…

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I think the OP is a little more space limited than you.
BTW how is that epoxy floor working out? slippery when it has cutting oil on it?

 

[wachuko]

I think the OP is a little more space limited than you.
BTW how is that epoxy floor working out? slippery when it has cutting oil on it?

Oh, I missed that from his posts. Not sure the available space he has. FYI, I will only be using the single garage area for all my machines. The double side garage is for my wife to park her car. I will put up a removable wall in between to avoid/minimize chips going over.

The build of this house is carp... new house, but our warranty is over (only one year, and we did not started to occasionally stay here, until after two years... the garage floor is cracked, the epoxy used looks like something from Lowes or HomeDepot, just to initially hide the imperfections on the floor... But hey, looks great in the photos

Anyway, venting over, back to your question. I have a rag/towel that I use to clean any oil spills on the floor. So not bad, not slippery. I will get some rubber mats to place in front of each machine, once everything is in place.

 

[hotrats]

I have the PM 12x36 lathe, and the 940M PDF. Happy with both, never had machining experience before purchasing. I've since built a base for the 940 where I have 2 tool boxes below. the storage is nice, but the foot print is a bit much. I'll cut it narrower one day. I have the steel to build a stand for the lathe, to incorporate tool storage below it. We moved to FL a few years ago, I went from a 24x28' shop to a single bay in the garage, so floor space is at a premium. I have a 2 ton HF engine crane. I've used it to move the lathe and mill a few times. It's awkward, but doable.

 

[dabear3428]

I have the PM 12x36 lathe, and the 940M PDF. Happy with both, never had machining experience before purchasing. I've since built a base for the 940 where I have 2 tool boxes below. the storage is nice, but the foot print is a bit much. I'll cut it narrower one day. I have the steel to build a stand for the lathe, to incorporate tool storage below it. We moved to FL a few years ago, I went from a 24x28' shop to a single bay in the garage, so floor space is at a premium. I have a 2 ton HF engine crane. I've used it to move the lathe and mill a few times. It's awkward, but doable.

any oil leaks on the 940M?

 

[Mr Mike]

I think the OP is a little more space limited than you.
BTW how is that epoxy floor working out? slippery when it has cutting oil on it?

Oh, I missed that from his posts. Not sure the available space he has. FYI, I will only be using the single garage area for all my machines. The double side garage is for my wife to park her car. I will put up a removable wall in between to avoid/minimize chips going over.

The build of this house is carp... new house, but our warranty is over (only one year, and we did not started to occasionally stay here, until after two years... the garage floor is cracked, the epoxy used looks like something from Lowes or HomeDepot, just to initially hide the imperfections on the floor... But hey, looks great in the photos

Anyway, venting over, back to your question. I have a rag/towel that I use to clean any oil spills on the floor. So not bad, not slippery. I will get some rubber mats to place in front of each machine, once everything is in place.

lol you guys are killing me...
I am Just finishing up on a storage shed I am building to move all none essentials out to make room for the PM 1236T that's been sitting on the floor for a year.... I can wait a few more weeks till everything is out and the lathe is set up, then figure out how much Milling machine room I have and then decide what to get...

I appreciate everyone's input...

I have the PM 12x36 lathe, and the 940M PDF. Happy with both, never had machining experience before purchasing. I've since built a base for the 940 where I have 2 tool boxes below. the storage is nice, but the foot print is a bit much. I'll cut it narrower one day. I have the steel to build a stand for the lathe, to incorporate tool storage below it. We moved to FL a few years ago, I went from a 24x28' shop to a single bay in the garage, so floor space is at a premium. I have a 2 ton HF engine crane. I've used it to move the lathe and mill a few times. It's awkward, but doable.

I'm working with 24 x 20 area total - basic two car garage.... I have never had a mill so size wise I'm in the dark here... and my wood working tools take well up over half the space..

 

[verbotenwhisky]

The Pm 932M is 850 Lbs per PM's website, lol hopefully my 2 ton HF engine hoist will be enough lift it to the stand. Worst case ill weld a gantry up to lift it.

Lastly I just need to confirm whether the 932M vs the 932V is the right choice, 1975 RPM vs 3000 RPM.... No problem adding bells & whistles down the road when needed, will likely be the shop drill press here and there but will never be a CNC machine.

Best guess I can see Proto typing in Aluminum & plastic 50% and finished product in Steel & Iron for making tools, clamps and the likes 50%.
I would really like and intend to learn sand casting at some point & using the lathe & mill to make gears...

What's your thinking on it, Gear head vs variable speed.

Thanks Mike.

I have become a big fan of the V model (Variable Speed) Originally wanted the M Model but mine has plenty of torque and a good RPM range without the heavy head full of oil which needs to be changed and monitored.

The 2 ton HF hoist will work fine.

 

[Aaron_W]

I saw the comment about the quill.

The quill is primarily used for drilling. You generally want to have the quill fully retracted for milling to maximize rigidity. You move the head or knee up and down to adjust height.
This is particularly true for smaller mills where rigidity is already compromised, and many small mills don't even have a quill.

Not saying the quill range is unimportant, but it would be a lesser consideration for me unless I was looking at a machine as a drill press first and mill second.

 

[Mr Mike]

I have become a big fan of the V model (Variable Speed) Originally wanted the M Model but mine has plenty of torque and a good RPM range without the heavy head full of oil which needs to be changed and monitored.

The 2 ton HF hoist will work fine.

Been reading and researching a lot lately and the variable speed machines seems to be the ones every one is going with even on lathes any more... but my understanding was low end torque was an issue with VS motors for milling steel, especialy on these smaller machines.?

 

[Mr Mike]

I saw the comment about the quill.

The quill is primarily used for drilling. You generally want to have the quill fully retracted for milling to maximize rigidity. You move the head or knee up and down to adjust height.
This is particularly true for smaller mills where rigidity is already compromised, and many small mills don't even have a quill.

Not saying the quill range is unimportant, but it would be a lesser consideration for me unless I was looking at a machine as a drill press first and mill second.

Hello Sir...
I was planning on the mill doubling as the shop drill press as well.

 

[verbotenwhisky]

I saw the comment about the quill.

The quill is primarily used for drilling. You generally want to have the quill fully retracted for milling to maximize rigidity. You move the head or knee up and down to adjust height.
This is particularly true for smaller mills where rigidity is already compromised, and many small mills don't even have a quill.

Not saying the quill range is unimportant, but it would be a lesser consideration for me unless I was looking at a machine as a drill press first and mill second.

I use the quill for fine adjustment, I like to get the head within a few inches then the fine adjustment on the quill makes me more precise. My quill is 3" in diameter so as long as I am not working at its extents rigidity isn't an issue.