Value of a mill?

So....A mill has been on my list of toys to buy for my garage and I found this one: http://www.repocast.com/details.cfm?ID=623384

Action starts in 12 hours, ending 8pm EST on the 15th..

Is this worthwhile for a hobbiest? or is it complete junk?

Can't comment on the mill, but for a small mill like that, it seems like a odd site. More on the lines that I would expect a full size mill, and customers expecting that. So hopefully, that translates into a nice low price.

The only think I've heard against small mills is working on bigger stuff. But that's without any real first hand info.

If you can pick it up for a few hundred, probably worthwhile. Any more than that, and I'd rather steer the money towards a real mill.

But real mills take up large amounts of space, require forklifts to move and usually require 3 phase power.

There are a lot of benefits to a small mill like that.

I have a larger one, an RX30, Grizzly sells a similar unit to the one I have and I find it very useful.

Some mill is better than no mill at all and once you have it, you'll wonder how you got by without it.

I'm spoilt because if my mill won't handle it, the Bridgeport at work will

Shawn

bridgeport or nothing... got mine for around a grand

jhaas wrote: bridgeport or nothing... got mine for around a grand

Can a Bridgeport run on anything less than 440?

You can get a phase converter to run the three phase versions on household 220 for around $350 if one isn't included in the sale.

Grtechguy wrote:

jhaas wrote: bridgeport or nothing... got mine for around a grand

Can a Bridgeport run on anything less than 440?

Yes. All depends on the motor. The one in my basement runs on 220 Single phase.

I have a generic 6x26 (essentially Grizzly 3102) running 3-phase - I bought a Teco FM50 Variable Frequency Drive to run it off 220V single phase. The Teco can be had pretty affordably online, I paid around $150, mine is now $90 at www.dealerselectric.com

amazing...the bids are almost at retail price for a new one.

Plus 10% bidder premium & sales tax..... Repocast stuff is hit or miss, a lot of time the descriptions really dont match the product (they shuffle a lot of items through weekly), but I've found a few good deals through them.

KJ

KJ....are you in Mi? or do they ship for you?

I've managed to do a lot of work on one of the better Chinese made 3-in-1 machines for years, but it's so much harder than it needs to be, and I've made a lot of scrap parts due to machine issues.

If you have space I recommend getting a real American made full size machine highly enough. They're fully depreciated now, so a decent Series 1 Bridgeport that's not completely used up can be resold even up. The rigidity, accuracy, and large work envelope is wonderful. When you need to remove a lot of material, being able to push a 1' roughing endmill w/ serious depth of cut rather than having to take literally 100 passes on a mini-mill - is awesome.

I say wait if you can and get something nice.

My friend has a Bridgeport at his shop. His father bought it new and he said that it was $500.

Of course, that was about 50 years ago...

I did pass on this...I don't think it was worth the nearly $500 purchase the winning bidding got stuck paying.

If you do get a bridgeport you can have a tow truck unload it off a flatbed. I thonk they have an eyebolt hole tapped on top. Or you could use a lifting strap. Its been done.

I hate to be an enabler, but here goes. If you are near Cleveland OH, HGR Industrial 20001 Euclid Ave Euclid OH 44117 hgrindustrialsurplus.com This place is like a mall for used equipment. I think they put out a flier( like three local traders thick). They used to do cookouts for lunch on Wednesdays! Happy shopping.

redrabbit wrote: I hate to be an enabler, but here goes. If you are near Cleveland OH, HGR Industrial 20001 Euclid Ave Euclid OH 44117 hgrindustrialsurplus.com This place is like a mall for used equipment. I think they put out a flier( like three local traders thick). They used to do cookouts for lunch on Wednesdays! Happy shopping.

Mother of... it's like machine porn. Why would you do that? I have work to do.

In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker:

Don't , I repeat do not send for the flier!

I loaded my bridgeport into my basement with a skid steer with a fork attachment. Flipped the head upside down so it wasn't so top heavy, and picked up under the ram with 2x6's between the forks and the ram so that the ways didn't get hurt.

My boss has a lathe, mill, surface grinder and I think a planer in his basement (I dont know how). He also has a lathe in his pole barn that was belt driven. It has a Model T transmision for rpm changes. I think he is in the running for the most toys. He also messes with guns. I have made parts for him on my EDM machine.