harleychopkins
New Member
Get a Bridgeport and you will be happy for life. There are many on the used market. Take your time and get a good one. If the ways are good everything else can be rebuilt at low cost.
50 years experience
Charles Hopkins
I need a milling machine
- Thread starter Mastermind
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Get a Bridgeport and you will be happy for life. There are many on the used market. Take your time and get a good one. If the ways are good everything else can be rebuilt at low cost.
50 years experience
Charles Hopkins
Mastermind
Work Saw Specialist
I just don't have room for a large mill. 
I just don't have room for a large mill.
Come on Randy....
I fit one in the back if a Chevy Suburban!!
Mastermind
Work Saw Specialist
My shop is 200 square feet with 32 running feet of work benches........about the size of a Suburban.
My shop is 200 square feet with 32 running feet of work benches........about the size of a Suburban.
Yeah. But you get to stand it up.
It was a Hardinge. Tipped it back with an engine hoist, hooked a comealong to it and the two shoulder harnesses. Pulled it in. ;-))
Metals406
Granfodder Runningsaw
Metals406
Granfodder Runningsaw
On the mill thing. . . These machinist guys are telling you to go bigger and better because they've experienced many different machines and capabilities. They've also machined really big things, and really small things -- they've taken .100" or better at a pass, where you might only be able to chew out .010". They were also on the clock, and didn't want to waste a bunch of time -- where you can camp at your machine for an extra 10-15 and nobody is behind you squawking.
Rod Weber (the full-wrap guy) is the same way. He's a machinist from the aircraft industry -- where tolerances are stupid, and perfection is expected. His little mill drives him absolutely crazy, and some days he can't even look at it without it pissing him off. But he wants to take huge bites, fast, and with no chatter or problems. It's because he's used the good machines, and anything less is not worth having. I, on the other hand, would love to have his mill.
Hell, even a drill press with a cross-slide would be a blessing. :msp_biggrin:
I recently cut 25 thou of a 55 jug by hand, using various files, scrapers, and sand paper. I worked in quadrants and took my time. In the end, it was well withing spec for a saw jug.
Let me tell you though, the whole time I was dreaming of a mill. :msp_love:
Rod Weber (the full-wrap guy) is the same way. He's a machinist from the aircraft industry -- where tolerances are stupid, and perfection is expected. His little mill drives him absolutely crazy, and some days he can't even look at it without it pissing him off. But he wants to take huge bites, fast, and with no chatter or problems. It's because he's used the good machines, and anything less is not worth having. I, on the other hand, would love to have his mill.
Hell, even a drill press with a cross-slide would be a blessing. :msp_biggrin:
I recently cut 25 thou of a 55 jug by hand, using various files, scrapers, and sand paper. I worked in quadrants and took my time. In the end, it was well withing spec for a saw jug.
Let me tell you though, the whole time I was dreaming of a mill. :msp_love:
Metals406
Granfodder Runningsaw
Oh yeah, go over to NS and look at all the saw work Cheech is doing with that little lathe and Jet mill he has.
Dude is churning out some sweet work.
Dude is churning out some sweet work.
Mastermind
Work Saw Specialist
I now use a drill press with a milling table. It's just not rigid enough to do accurate work. I only need to be able to make a spacer plate or flange every now and then.....
Mastermind
Work Saw Specialist
Oh yeah, go over to NS and look at all the saw work Cheech is doing with that little lathe and Jet mill he has.
Dude is churning out some sweet work.
I got banned from NS for some reason.....
Metals406
Granfodder Runningsaw
parrisw
Tree Freak
I agree Nate. I don't know what shipping cost, but dang I'd mill your cylinders for nothing.
I do light milling work on my Lathe, and yes I take small cuts, sometimes .005" at a time, that would drive a machinist absolutely nuts.
FYI, Randy, I made this on my 9" hercus lathe. This is what you were talking about making Randy? Took me a while but I got it done. The mill Randy is getting will be better then my setup.
Metals406
Granfodder Runningsaw
Randy, you had the same user name over there right?
ptjeep
Addicted to ArboristSite
Whats NS?
Mastermind
Work Saw Specialist
I agree Nate. I don't know what shipping cost, but dang I'd mill your cylinders for nothing.
I do light milling work on my Lathe, and yes I take small cuts, sometimes .005" at a time, that would drive a machinist absolutely nuts.
FYI, Randy, I made this on my 9" hercus lathe. This is what you were talking about making Randy? Took me a while but I got it done. The mill Randy is getting will be better then my setup.
Yeah Will I saw that sweet milling setup you made for the lathe. Good work there my friend.
I think the grizzy will do what I need. When I get a bigger place I can upgrade....
Mastermind
Work Saw Specialist
parrisw
Tree Freak
I'm sure it will do you fine Randy. Just do a good setup on it is all, make a mount so you can get a dial indicator in the quill/head, and tram the mill, make sure its dialed in, and do what you have to to make it right, and just stay within the limitations of the mill and you'll be fine. Like someone else said, fill the column with something heavy, see if you can get a crapload of old wheel weights from a tire shop and melt them down and pour it in there, would be a bit of work but well worth it.
Metals406
Granfodder Runningsaw
Hmm, sending you a PM.
parrisw
Tree Freak
Covert operations happening here. LOL
I told Adam you were selling his big bore 088 design to the Chinese...
