Looking for my perfect size hobby mill....

[Mr Mike]

I have a PM940V-PDF and i like it, Its a good machine.... 5" quill travel, 22" max Clear between deck and Quill when head is all the way up, 26" movement in X-Axis and 12" movement in the Y-Axis.

The PDF version you have is a really nice Mill, I may be going about this machine selection the wrong way but it's also too big for the space I've set aside.

My understanding so far is the PM 728VT will compliment the PM 1236T in both quality and scope of work, and a good size for my space so ill likly be getting one.

 

[Nesse1]

My understanding so far is the PM 728VT will compliment the PM 1236T in both quality and scope of work, and a good size for my space so ill likly be getting one.

Hum, trying to understand this statement better. The 728 is 370 lbs, but a 1236 is closer to 1000. Is that a fair comparison? I was under the impression that the PM30 might be more of a parallel universe, considering it's 530 lbs. Or maybe the 833? Which is 1000 lbs?

 

[verbotenwhisky]

The PDF version you have is a really nice Mill, I may be going about this machine selection the wrong way but it's also too big for the space I've set aside.

My understanding so far is the PM 728VT will compliment the PM 1236T in both quality and scope of work, and a good size for my space so ill likly be getting one.

I understand space constraints and I have read that the mill you are looking at is a good mill, but, I have a 1236 lathe and the max work piece on it will not necessarily be a match for the mill.

 

[davidpbest]

The PDF version you have is a really nice Mill, I may be going about this machine selection the wrong way but it's also too big for the space I've set aside.

My understanding so far is the PM 728VT will compliment the PM 1236T in both quality and scope of work, and a good size for my space so ill likly be getting one.

The 728 is a light duty mill, the 1236T lathe, while smallish, is in a different league. A better matched set would be the 1236T and a PM-833 or PM-935 milling machine.

 

[Mr Mike]

Hum, trying to understand this statement better. The 728 is 370 lbs, but a 1236 is closer to 1000. Is that a fair comparison? I was under the impression that the PM30 might be more of a parallel universe, considering it's 530 lbs. Or maybe the 833? Which is 1000 lbs?

I understand space constraints and I have read that the mill you are looking at is a good mill, but, I have a 1236 lathe and the max work piece on it will not necessarily be a match for the mill.

Good point, I should have stated it differently...

Originally I had the PM-833T in mind, but hopefully if I can use a small dividing head with the PM-728T that may be the way I go..

 

[davidpbest]

Good point, I should have stated it differently...

Originally I had the PM-833T in mind, but hopefully if I can use a small dividing head with the PM-728T that may be the way I go..

I don't see how adding a dividing head makes the PM-728T a better companion mill to the 1236T lathe than an 833. Your choice of mill should be based on the XYZ envelope size, what materials you plan to machine most of the time, and the tolerances you're trying to achieve. Comparing the 728 to an 833, the differences lie in the available HP and torque at the spindle (impacting material removal rates), the rigidity (the ability to hit tight tolerances under high-limit HP output), among other things. Your chosen lathe is a serious machine (in its size category) and the 728 is kind of a toy as a companion IMO. Please elaborate on the type of projects and materials you plan to employ - that will help guide you. For instance, if you're planning to make clocks, then the 728 is fine and the 1236T is probably overkill.

 

[Mr Mike]

I don't see how adding a dividing head makes the PM-728T a better companion mill to the 1236T lathe than an 833. Your choice of mill should be based on the XYZ envelope size, what materials you plan to machine most of the time, and the tolerances you're trying to achieve. Comparing the 728 to an 833, the differences lie in the available HP and torque at the spindle (impacting material removal rates), the rigidity (the ability to hit tight tolerances under high-limit HP output), among other things. Your chosen lathe is a serious machine (in its size category) and the 728 is kind of a toy as a companion IMO. Please elaborate on the type of projects and materials you plan to employ - that will help guide you. For instance, if you're planning to make clocks, then the 728 is fine and the 1236T is probably overkill.

Two things...

I really don't need a 1236T lathe, I just can't find a smaller lathe made in Taiwan, like a 9x19, 10x22 - Eisen had a 12x24 recently, It showed up after I bought the 1236T. I do have an actual use for Lathe, but not for a Mill.

I absolutely have no idea what I will do with a Mill. I cant find any videos showing what size mill will make what size item... my understanding is get a Mill and projects will come. only item I can think of ATM is making a metal Quill stop ring for my drill press, and down the road make some steel, iron, brass, Aluminum & plastic gears out of 6" and smaller blanks that I smelt my self.

The only reason I bring up gears at all is because I always find garbage plastic gears on items that Id love to make out of metal to improve the item.

As long as it can do that then it will be a great learning mill. Ill bring this all up when I talk the PM again at some point befor I buy one.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

[Uguessedit]

Hi everybody..

So a while ago I was looking for the perfect size hobby Lathe at Pm and for me it was the 12 x 28 but it was not available to ship out due to not being in stock or I would have purchased it...

That being said what PM "Mill" would be the perfect starter mill, keeping in mind a 12 x 28 lathe would be what I would consider a good size hobby lathe. over say a 10 x 30 which is too small and less capable or 12 x 36 which takes up allot of extra space for the amount ill use it. I have zero Mill experience so I don't know enough to make an informed decision here...

Unlike needing the lathe now which I have a project for, I have time to wait on a Mill - I'm not rushed and can buy and wait 1 or 5 months to get it. but it does need to be smaller to take up less real estate yet big enough I don't outgrow it. Kinda like the PM 12 X 28 is just a smaller version and half the weight of its big brother, a full size 12 X 36 and uses the same tooling.

I would prefer a new made in Taiwan machine but may be willing to buy a used but in excellent condition one, I believe the PM's are Taiwan made so I am starting here.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Kind of depends what you’re doing with it. There is a point where you can go too big making small parts more a pain using a larger chuck. Not unusual for people to have a couple lathes for this reason. Don’t get me wrong i have a 1337g Bolton thats modified and love it but I’m about to convert a 7x14 to CnC and have plans for some intricate parts. Usually it’s best to buy for what you need.

 

[Aaron_W]

Two things...

I really don't need a 1236T lathe, I just can't find a smaller lathe made in Taiwan, like a 9x19, 10x22 - Eisen had a 12x24 recently, It showed up after I bought the 1236T. I do have an actual use for Lathe, but not for a Mill.

I absolutely have no idea what I will do with a Mill. I cant find any videos showing what size mill will make what size item... my understanding is get a Mill and projects will come. only item I can think of ATM is making a metal Quill stop ring for my drill press, and down the road make some steel, iron, brass, Aluminum & plastic gears out of 6" and smaller blanks that I smelt my self.

The only reason I bring up gears at all is because I always find garbage plastic gears on items that Id love to make out of metal to improve the item.

As long as it can do that then it will be a great learning mill. Ill bring this all up when I talk the PM again at some point befor I buy one.

Thanks for stopping by.

A BS-0 dividing head should fit on a 728, I have a Clausing 8520 which has a slightly smaller work envelope. Maybe even a BS-1, but I have a BS-0 so know that should be no problem.

As far as what size you can make with a mill you can start with the 3 axis, and consider tooling. The spindle to table distance is usually the biggest concern as tooling can take up a good deal of that space. The 728 has 16" so figure with a drill chuck and drill bit fitted you probably still have 8-10" to fit your part and a vise if used. The X and Y are easier to work around since you have options on how to mount the part and while it is kind of a nuisance, you can even reposition your part if you have to. Far fewer options when dealing with the vertical height available.

Very rough but I'd think a 728 could manage a part up to the size of a shoe box. You might have to get creative to do so, and would have to nibble away at it, but I think it could be done without to much trouble.

The weight issue is mostly a matter of how big of a bite you can take at a time. A heavier, more rigid mill will be able to take bigger bites. Small mills you just have to be patient and go at your part with the mentality of a piranha, not a great white shark.


You will have some benefit having gone with the 12" lathe, even if you don't need the size. There are very few smaller lathes that can be bought new that include a quick change gear box, so you would have lost some function going smaller unless you bought something used and much older.

 

[verbotenwhisky]

Two things...

I really don't need a 1236T lathe, I just can't find a smaller lathe made in Taiwan, like a 9x19, 10x22 - Eisen had a 12x24 recently, It showed up after I bought the 1236T. I do have an actual use for Lathe, but not for a Mill.

I absolutely have no idea what I will do with a Mill. I cant find any videos showing what size mill will make what size item... my understanding is get a Mill and projects will come. only item I can think of ATM is making a metal Quill stop ring for my drill press, and down the road make some steel, iron, brass, Aluminum & plastic gears out of 6" and smaller blanks that I smelt my self.

The only reason I bring up gears at all is because I always find garbage plastic gears on items that Id love to make out of metal to improve the item.

As long as it can do that then it will be a great learning mill. Ill bring this all up when I talk the PM again at some point befor I buy one.

Thanks for stopping by.

Let me suggest that you go watch Blodihacks on youtube, she uses the smaller PM mill and lathe and does a good job of highlighting the limits of those machines. They are not bad machines, very far from it, but due to their work envelope and a DC motors limitations on low end torque will limit your project size and materials to some degree.