Who has a mill?
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I've had a mini mill for a number of years and find another use for it every time I make something.
A few months ago I repaired an extension ladder by casting some alumilite in a bar and milling it to make a new little lever thingy that lets the braces jump over the rungs when the ladder goes down. A new part is unavailable and I needed the ladder immediately anyway and wouldn't have been able to wair for one so this one simple part saved me over a hundred fifty bucks by itself (works better than the original too).
Between a mill and a lathe, you can pretty much make anything you want to make, imagination being the only limitation (other than, maybe, the size of your mill and lathe). Over the years I've probably saved at least a thousand bucks just in being able to repair things that would otherwise have to be replaced, and make a lot of other stuff for my own pleasure as well.
A few months ago I repaired an extension ladder by casting some alumilite in a bar and milling it to make a new little lever thingy that lets the braces jump over the rungs when the ladder goes down. A new part is unavailable and I needed the ladder immediately anyway and wouldn't have been able to wair for one so this one simple part saved me over a hundred fifty bucks by itself (works better than the original too).
Between a mill and a lathe, you can pretty much make anything you want to make, imagination being the only limitation (other than, maybe, the size of your mill and lathe). Over the years I've probably saved at least a thousand bucks just in being able to repair things that would otherwise have to be replaced, and make a lot of other stuff for my own pleasure as well.
LOL :biggrin:, it sounds to me like you have money burning a hole in your pocket and are looking for justification for spending it. :wink:
I certainly don't have enough money to buy a seperate mill or even one of the milling heads that bolt to the back of the lathe bed. Allthough it can be a bit of a pain to set up, I've yet to find a problem that I can't solve with my vertical slide. .
I admit though that if I did have the money, then I'd buy one. But the difference between you and me is that I already know what I'd need it for:biggrin:
No offence intended:wink:
I certainly don't have enough money to buy a seperate mill or even one of the milling heads that bolt to the back of the lathe bed. Allthough it can be a bit of a pain to set up, I've yet to find a problem that I can't solve with my vertical slide. .
I admit though that if I did have the money, then I'd buy one. But the difference between you and me is that I already know what I'd need it for:biggrin:
No offence intended:wink:
John Den
Member
I went fishing and caught a carp of a decent size and took a picture of me holding it.
After I'd slipped the carp back in the water I noticed I hadn't got my wedding ring on. I must have left it at home on the wash basin I thought. But looking at the picture of me and the carp there the ring was gleaming at me on my finger.
I looked for it really hard but it was deep in the lake.
"Never mind" the wife said we'll get you another one.
"Ah well" I said, "I've been thinking that what I'd really like, instead, is a little metal mill"
"You unromantic S****" she replied………………………..
So I finished up with a new wedding ring……..
But she also relented and I got my mini-mill as well.
I can say that I haven't regretted getting either…….HONEST
Regards
John
After I'd slipped the carp back in the water I noticed I hadn't got my wedding ring on. I must have left it at home on the wash basin I thought. But looking at the picture of me and the carp there the ring was gleaming at me on my finger.
I looked for it really hard but it was deep in the lake.
"Never mind" the wife said we'll get you another one.
"Ah well" I said, "I've been thinking that what I'd really like, instead, is a little metal mill"
"You unromantic S****" she replied………………………..
So I finished up with a new wedding ring……..
But she also relented and I got my mini-mill as well.
I can say that I haven't regretted getting either…….HONEST
Regards
John
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I started with a Taig Bench top Mill. I swapped it out for a Taig cnc mill that had handles so I can use it either way. Some times just a little hand work is fun and quicker. Then I used it to build a bigger one that will cut a 8x18 piece. When I get a big project like the tailstock I adapted for my lathe I borrow my friend Mike Roux's knee mill. I use mine to make pen parts, metal parts,wood parts. I make one off's for people that need odd ball stuff that helps pay for the mills. I am getting ready to build a cnc router mill that will have a 4ft x 6ft working table area.
Great wedding ring story. About 27 years ago we were driving to Cali. one night in the rain. My wipers had AZ dust on them and smeared the window. I reached out the window with a paper towel and wiped the window. I then threw the towel over the car to the side of the road. "I know, what a litter bug" Well my ring came off and was gone. Spent a week in Cali and on the way home my wife asked if we could look for it. I only had a general area because of a rock formation, but we did. No luck. She was relentless, so I turned around and looked again. Low and behold in a pile of sand, over an embankment was the ring. Grabbed it, hugged and headed home. CHP pulled us over and gave me a ticket for making a u-turn on the interstate. The ticket was more than the ring was worth. Monetarily at least. Unbelievable true story.
Donovan
Member
I have a Chinese copy of a Bridge Port mill. It is not a CNC but you can do some programming using the DRO. I also built a 4 axes cnc router(1,35 x 1.3 meter) which I will use the first time on my next rotation home in December.
btboone
Member
I bought a full size Enco mill back in '85 and have used it about every day since. That is a tool that will lead to all kinds of stuff you can't even think of yet. One of the best tool investments there is.
bluwolf
Member
I've said before, a lathe will get lonely without a mill after awhile. If you already have a first project as an excuse to get one, you're good to go. After that you'll find all kinds of uses for it.
And wait for the first time your new toy...err tool fixes something for your better half and you don't have to buy a new (insert broken household item here).
Mike
And wait for the first time your new toy...err tool fixes something for your better half and you don't have to buy a new (insert broken household item here).
Mike
BKelley
Member
I just purchased a Little Machine Shop Md. 3960 HiTorque Mill along with the accessory package. It is a well made piece of equipment. I think you will be happier with a stand alone mill in lieu of a lathe attachment. I am presently engaged in milling a QC tool holder for my lathe. Keep us posted on your mill quest and let us know what projects you take on.
Ben
Ben