Suggestions on less than full size mill

[markba633csi]

+1 on the older round ram Bridgeports, with short table like 36" ( I believe they also made a 32")
Lots' O cast iron happiness for little money
Get something with a head that nods- if you can, it's a useful feature

 

[woodchucker]

The older M head Bridgeports are a bit smaller and often a lot cheaper than the J head mills. They lack some of the features of the later mills, but seem like they would make a nice mid sized mill.


Agree, I am quite pleased with my Clausing, but it is also the biggest mill I could manage. There are a lot of options bigger than a Clausing, smaller than a Bridgeport, and if height / weight isn't the issue the short 36" table Bridgeports could even make the list. Clausing / Rockwell are probably the worst mills on a cost / size ratio. There is often a premium paid for being the smallest common USA made knee mills.

I don't understand the WORST MILLS on a cost /size ratio I think they are pretty good actually. Better than many of the RongFu round column . The knee makes it valuable. My wish would be a R8 spindle and rather than a round column to the head, I would rather have a cast dovetailed slider, as I would like to be able to work further out and close in and it's a pain to move because it needs re-tramming. Too bad they didn't key it, with a removeable key.

 

[Aaron_W]

I don't understand the WORST MILLS on a cost /size ratio I think they are pretty good actually. Better than many of the RongFu round column . The knee makes it valuable. My wish would be a R8 spindle and rather than a round column to the head, I would rather have a cast dovetailed slider, as I would like to be able to work further out and close in and it's a pain to move because it needs re-tramming. Too bad they didn't key it, with a removeable key.

I agree they are very good small mills, just saying the price per pound is high.

People who can't fit a larger mill will pay a lot for them, which drives the prices up. The Rong Fu mills usually sell for less than 1/2 what a Clausing can go for. It is not unusual to see a Clausing or Rockwell sell for the same price or more than a larger mill, and you can often buy a decent Bridgeport or clone for not much more.

 

[Alcap]

This might be something you would be interested in Enco mill , here’s from the auction it was sold . I think someone got a good deal https://dukeenergysurplus.com/Listi...del-1005200-Variable-Speed-Vertical-Knee-Mill HF sells ones very similar for $2499 , maybe some members could comment on the quality. https://www.harborfreight.com/vertical-milling-machine-40939.html

 

[Ischgl99]

The Burke Millrite is a great mill, but it lacks some features of the full sized mills that would be nice to have like the nodding head. There are still some parts available for it, but the spindle bearings are not always available, and when you find them will be in the $800-$1,000 range for a set from an authorized distributor, so you will want to make sure the bearings are good. Another thing to consider is the motor is custom, so you probably won’t find a drop in replacement. The flange dimensions as well as the shaft size on the motor drawing I have are not NEMA standard. Jet also makes a mill about that size. I don’t know much about it’s features, but people who have one seem to really like it.

I got lucky and found my Millrite 17 years ago for $1,200 in my town, I don’t think I will get that lucky next time!

 

[Don J]

The Burke Millrite is a great mill, but it lacks some features of the full sized mills that would be nice to have like the nodding head.

What is a "nodding head"?

 

[jwmelvin]

What is a "nodding head"?

A head that adjustably tilts about an axis parallel to the x-axis (as opposed to a “tilting” head, whose tilt axis is parallel with the y-axis).

Edit: perhaps the “tilting” axis is parallel to the ram, which may or may not align with the y-axis, if a turret exists. In that case, the nod would be about an axis perpendicular to the ram and parallel to the table plane.

 

[Don J]

A head that adjustably tilts about an axis parallel to the x-axis (as opposed to a “tilting” head, whose tilt axis is parallel with the y-axis).

Edit: perhaps the “tilting” axis is parallel to the ram, which may or may not align with the y-axis, if a turret exists. In that case, the nod would be about an axis perpendicular to the ram and parallel to the table plane.

Ah. I see. Thanks.

Not sure I would ever use a feature like that. I'm just just a simple caveman. Things like tilting heads on milling machines frighten and confuse me.

 

[Ischgl99]

Ah. I see. Thanks.

Not sure I would ever use a feature like that. I'm just just a simple caveman. Things like tilting heads on milling machines frighten and confuse me.

Nodding the head helps make cuts that are not vertical or horizontal, like say you need a 15 degree cut along the top edge of a piece held in the vise. You can nod the head at the angle you need and make the cut with a standard cutter. Without the ability to nod the head, you need to find a way to safely hold it while you make the cut, or but a special cutter.

That need might not happen often, but it is nice to have if you have the choice.

 

[Don J]

Not implying that it's not a useful feature. Only that I've never had that capability and don't want to limit my search with it. It's hard enough finding something nearby without eliminating potential candidate machines for not having a feature I've never had before.