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Where do I start
- Thread starter bubbas55
- Start date
If your milling needs are limited to that single slot, consider a punch. Fast, clean, and easy. Very consistent as well.
If you are not in a hurry, I would snoop around for used American or Euro machines. I don't know what the market is like in MO, but in my part of the country (CA) manual (i.e. not CNC) machine prices are falling. Also, if you have room, bigger machines are generally cheaper than smaller ones. Many used machines will come with tooling that would cost you a grand or so to buy separately. I started with an HF 7x10, but it was so crappy to use, that I really didn't feel it deserved time and energy to improve it (though there are websites devoted to people doing amazing things with these machines and 9x20 lathes). I was able to sell it at not much of a loss, but I viewed it as waste of time.
I also would think twice about the Granite or any of those combo machines. Setups are often a pain on those, which for me would probably prevent me from starting a project. You can get used American separates for similar money. Even separate Chinese machines, like a 9x20 Lathe and 6x26 mill, would be far better than a 3 in 1, unless you don't have space.
I also would think twice about the Granite or any of those combo machines. Setups are often a pain on those, which for me would probably prevent me from starting a project. You can get used American separates for similar money. Even separate Chinese machines, like a 9x20 Lathe and 6x26 mill, would be far better than a 3 in 1, unless you don't have space.
A personal view from someone who has just sold a combination to purchase a separate mill and lathe. The two biggest pain points were the set up time. It always seemed that the majority of the shop time was taken changing from one to the other and back. The second was the compromise on capability, especially on the mill. Not rigid enough for anything but very light cuts.
tony... not sure what you mean... this is 3/16" steel never tried to punch thru this heavy material... i will probable end up drilling out the hole than filing the details. it is an oval hole to fit a pipe cut to the right angle
ron
I wouldn't be too sure about that! I haven't found anything big enough yet that I couldn't find a way to break. :biggrin:
-Ron
And the more expensive the repair parts become. Bigger machine equal bigger bucks when you strip a gear or crash the tool into the chuck. I have a three in one and seperate machines and I prefer the different machines because I seldom complete any project start to finish in one sitting, so theoretically I can have up to 4 projects going at once. Just my .02.... Welcome to our little club and welcome to the addiction. There is no cure, so surrender gracefully and get you wallet loaded into the web for tool and trinket purchases that are coming frequently in the next little bit...
Bob