Looking for my perfect size hobby mill....

[Mr Mike]

I have asked on this site before for guidelines of how to match a mill to a lathe, and mostly got answers of "it depends".
Smithy apparently thinks a mill with a capacity similar to the Sieg X2D is appropriate to pair with their 13x40 lathe. Other combo mills also match roughly similar mills with their 10-13" lathes.

The OP does not seem to have any plans for the mill. Will he be happy with the 932 or 940? Maybe, probably, but with no use case that is hard to say.

Is there a chance he is buying a lot more mill than he needs?
Is there a chance that in two years he finds himself regretting not waiting and going with a knee mill?

Maybe $5000 is not a significant amount of money to others, but I'd have a hard time spending that without a very detailed need.

5k is a lot to spend on an unknown, which is why I'm not rushing, I ask all the right & Wrong question, that being said the PM-932M PDF is a really good contender, has features I know ill kick my self for not getting... Its bigger than I want, I have the room for it, and I am sure would take much more time to out grow than say a 7X27 or smaller.

When I first started researching I found that the PM-833T was a complimentary Mill in scope & size to my lathe, and very expensive... I saw the PM-932M at a much better price point, after looking and looking I figured this is a good Mill to start with and add mods over time, then I look more and find out none of the PDF options can be added after you purchase the base model. to drive the final nail in the coffin - as I look I find both the PM-932 PDF and PM-940 PDF are the same price. I'm like seriously - why would I buy the Ford Ranger if the F-150's the same price.

I also agree with you on buying a smaller machine just to learn on, then chalk it up to a learning expense... You find out what you do and don't need - Can and cant do... but in this situation if you already own the worlds best lathe ( Per Me ) starting with something complimentary to it seems to make sense.

Like most everyone here on the forums I love working with my hands, and problem solving... If you give me a machine Ill find a use for it.
Thanks for the input Sir, Mike.

 

[Mr Mike]

Hi Mr. Mike,

Aren't you the guy that gave away a complete lathe, included a stand you customized, improving it greatly?

Then, you bought just about every lathe quick change tool post on the market, so you can compare them with your own hands?

Unless I'm missing something here, you clearly want quality, and aren't afraid to pay for it.

Take this for what it's worth, but instead of splitting hairs looking for the ultimate value in lesser machines, how about stepping up and just order a PM-833, and be done with the search? It's only a grand more than the cheaper china machines, and by all accounts, it's a superior machine.

I'm in the same boat as you, and that's what I'm going to do. No second guessing...

I like your thinking.... Your a man after my own heart!
Yes that's me. That guy I gave the lathe to last year has it all fixed and decked out with DRO, I'm not done with the tool post project. I do appreciate quality....

as to the 833T It seems I'm headed in that direct faster than I think, I don't know why I am being such a cheapskate with this. I had no qualm or hold back spending what ever to get the 1236T here...

Its really nice to see you around... Mike.

 

[Mr Mike]

The 932 and 940 mills have as much or more work envelope as the standard Bridgeport mills. He has a 1236 lathe and wants a mill with similar capabilities.

Yes this is a very accurate statement.

 

[Mr Mike]

Just a FYI, but after having owned several Chinese machines, you would do well to consider them a pre-assembled kit. If I do buy another Chinese machine for cost reasons, the first thing I will do is completely disassemble the machine, clean and inspect all components, repair/fix what I can, and then re-assemble. I did this with my Charter Oak machine and it turned out really well. It did take me a bit of time to complete though.

Best of luck with whatever you decide sir.

This is absolutely Sage advice...

 

[Mr Mike]

Chances are the perfect used deal will come along for you. You have the right attitude and time will be your friend in this endeavor.

Go take a look at this one to get an idea of what many think is the "best" option.

Bridgeport Mill - tools - by owner - sale - craigslist

9x42 table, power feed, head recently rebuilt, 1hp 230v 3phase Please text only, I do not answer numbers I don’t recognize

lasvegas.craigslist.org

Learn about all the "mill" type operations that you can do with your lathe, 4 jaw will let you make round bar stock square, etc....

Good luck and keep asking questions, but if you find a good listing and want opinions you should probably start a new thread for that.

John

Hello John, nice seeing you sir.

I went that way with my first 4 lathes.... and while doing that made it a no brainer to get the PM-1236T - I'm feeling my age catching up a bit, so I am trying to get close to the ballpark, Pretty sure I'll be happy with any decent choice of machine, gaining years of use by-passing the several iterations it takes to get the perfect pick.

I've been looking over the past several months ( Local Area only ) I found nothing worth looking at. lol I bought a couple lathes from your neck of the woods even - and I enjoyed the hunt, I would definitely go look at Baby Bridgeport if it was here in town, Wish there were a few members in town so I could do the touchy feely thing to get a bearing on this...

Ill be looking this weekend heavily and every where, if I don't find anything, I will cry for 10 seconds then call PM see if I can get them to make a better deal on the PM-932 PDF, I have a little Logic & ammo to work with... If not, after the garage is all cleaned out and space made this summer, I'll most likely just get the 833T to get the ball rolling.

Thanks for checking up on me.
Mike.

 

[Nesse1]

I like your thinking.... Your a man after my own heart!
Yes that's me. That guy I gave the lathe to last year has it all fixed and decked out with DRO, I'm not done with the tool post project. I do appreciate quality....

as to the 833T It seems I'm headed in that direct faster than I think, I don't know why I am being such a cheapskate with this. I had no qualm or hold back spending what ever to get the 1236T here...

Its really nice to see you around... Mike.

I've been reading a fair number of threads here discussing the 833, and the belt drive TV seems more popular than the gear head T. I'm not smart enough to say either way, but I can appreciate that the belt drive machine has a wider speed range, and runs quieter. It's just a matter of time before I order (assuming they are in stock).

 

[Mr Mike]

I've been reading a fair number of threads here discussing the 833, and the belt drive TV seems more popular than the gear head T. I'm not smart enough to say either way, but I can appreciate that the belt drive machine has a wider speed range, and runs quieter. It's just a matter of time before I order (assuming they are in stock).

Not smart enough, lol - your a funny guy..!

 

[verbotenwhisky]

Yes this is a very accurate statement.

At the end of your search it is very important you buy the machine your brain tells you is the best based upon your research. Some times I fear I come across as advocating a particular thing when I really am just sharing what I know about said thing. The last thing I want is for you to feel that I leaned in on you and you felt pressured; and, I am certain others on this forum feel the same way, our passions get us excited and we enthralled in what we are discussing. This boils down to a very simple fact, there are a great many options, each of the mills comes with a set of features and the package will operate as a whole, and let us not forget the cost, you must come to a decision based upon your own research for your own piece of mind, we are here to answer questions as they relate to the machines we are familiar with.

 

[matthewsx]

And we love spending other peoples money. It’s kinda vicarious shopping, you do have to post pictures though. Pictures or it didn’t happen.

John

 

[Mr Mike]

At the end of your search it is very important you buy the machine your brain tells you is the best based upon your research. Some times I fear I come across as advocating a particular thing when I really am just sharing what I know about said thing. The last thing I want is for you to feel that I leaned in on you and you felt pressured; and, I am certain others on this forum feel the same way, our passions get us excited and we enthralled in what we are discussing. This boils down to a very simple fact, there are a great many options, each of the mills comes with a set of features and the package will operate as a whole, and let us not forget the cost, you must come to a decision based upon your own research for your own piece of mind, we are here to answer questions as they relate to the machines we are familiar with.

You along with everyone here on these forums have been nothing but good advisors, I've never felt pressure in any direction, You nailed it when you said I'm looking for a Mill that's equal in both size and scope to my lathe.

The PM-932 fills that bill, For me the PM-940 is to big to start with. But knowing you really like the PM-940 says to me the PM-932 should be a decent machine too. who would have thought the 932 and 940 were the same price at the same feature level... I believe I successfully did my due diligent research when I came across that little sneaky fact... Ill call PM Monday and check out my options.

In all reality I owe everyone on these forums a debt of gratitude for their help, where else can you find such a community.