Plan on getting a new mill

[Flitzer]

I would consider a XYZ turret mill. All the functions of a Bridgeport with a larger quill. Plus the simplest CNC control available. These are a huge step up from a manual machine without a huge price hike. You will make parts so much faster without the need for a rotary table or boring head. Seriously, consider new with a couple of years credit. In the US they are Southwestern industries, take a look at the website or better still go to a showroom.

TRAK Knee Mills featuring the ProtoTRAK CNC

TRAK Vertical Knee Mills feature the ProtoTRAK CNC – engineered and built by Southwestern Industries - TRAK Machine Tools in the USA. K3 Knee Mills are versatile milling machines that can be used as a manual knee mill, or a CNC knee mill with 2 or 3 axis CNC capability. This toolroom mill...

www.southwesternindustries.com

What are they asking for one?

 

[Karl_T]

I priced one of the bigger knee mills 3 axis CNC at 30K a few years ago. Less for smaller and two axis CNC . But they are the cat's a$$. Both a manual and a CNC

 

[Harry Knutz]

Take a Look at Eisen Machinery, They usually have the same machines that PM has but at a better price point. I have ordered parts from them. I am not sure about their service after the sale but at least they do carry parts. Their machines are made in Taiwan, At least take a look at what they have. You may be able to get a larger mill for the same price.

 

[tjb]

Let me chime in with an experience pretty similar to yours. Machining is definitely a hobby for me - not a career - and I also live on a farm. Started out as an equestrian operation but when I got too old for the young colts, we converted to beef cattle. Like you, farming was not my income source, but a very enjoyable hobby. My largest tractor is also 75HP, I have two other tractors, other heavy equipment and a boatload of farming attachments. I got interested in machining because of watching a machinist make a couple of small parts for me. That was enough to have me hooked. You're wise to not take on the challenge of buying an older Bridgeport or clone that needs a good bit of work to achieve the tolerances you need/want. Been there/done that - not a good idea for a rookie, especially if rebuilding it is not your main interest.

Having said that, let me offer a couple of comments.

First, you may find that you're underestimating the optimal size and capacity of a satisfactory machine. I now have a full size Vectrax machine that I bought used in pristine condition complete with power feeds, DRO, etc. I have less than 10K in the machine including upgrades to a better DRO system and other peripherals. Like you, a primary interest for me was maintaining farming equipment, but that has morphed into far more interesting non-farm related projects and applications. You'll find that the size and scope of your projects - both hobby and necessary - will, to a large extent, be dictated by the size of your equipment. To a point, bigger is better.

Second, wait'll you discover how many new friends you'll make when neighboring farmers realize you can fix a piece of equipment! If your farming community is anything like mine, there will be occasions when a farmer is down because a piddly little part has broken, and he has a crop in the field that needs to be harvested NOW. One of the features I like about living in a community such as ours is how willing neighbors are to help each other when the need arises. There have been some instances in which I could not have gotten a farmer's piece of equipment up and running with a smaller machine. (There have, in fact, been a few instances that I could not help because of size constraints.) But it's all good. Like they say, what goes around comes around. I've never come up empty-handed when I needed a little help from somebody else.

Also, like you, our area is pretty sparse of decent used machines. But if urgency is not a constraint and you don't mind a little travel, you likely will find a bargain. My Vectrax, in fact, came from your backyard in Montgomery, AL.

And I don't recall seeing anything on this thread, but don't rule out the likelihood that in the not too distant future, you'll be looking for a nice lathe. Again, the bigger you can find, the better.

Regards

 

[tjb]

Take a Look at Eisen Machinery, They usually have the same machines the PM has but at a better price point. I have ordered parts from them. I am not sure about their service after the sale but at least they do carry parts. Their machines are made in Taiwan, At least take a look at what they have. You may be able to get a larger mill for the same price.

Plus one on Eisen. I bought my lathe from them and have been very satisfied with it. Only had a couple of occasions to contact them and was very satisfied.

Regards

 

[Larry$]

And I don't recall seeing anything on this thread, but don't rule out the likelihood that in the not too distant future, you'll be looking for a nice lathe. Again, the bigger you can find, the better.

I started with a 9x49 mill I got, more or less by accident. Quickly found out that it limited what I could do. Searched for a decent used lathe for over a year. I couldn't tell when one was in decent condition or not. Many looked very tired. So I bought a new PM1440HD, Chinese. An OK machine. A lathe & a mill are pretty much a SET. With some fooling around you can do some milling on a lathe. A mill might be able to, sort of work like a lathe, in a very limited way. (Indexing head or rotary table??)

If you've spent much time on this site, you know how deep the rabbit hole is when it comes to tooling and accessories. You don't need a lot to start so don't buy until you need. Note the "need" in this hobby is much like a kid saying he needs a candy bar.

 

[tjb]

I have to agree. I've always done repairs on all sorts of stuff. Running out of Z axis is my most common problem but table travel is a lot less than the table length so consider that. Repositioning odd shaped work to get the needed travel is a real PIA! I have a Jet 9X49, VS.

Agree! I have a 49" table, and several times that has been a factor in fabricating or repairing a part for a farm implement.

Regards

 

[Flitzer]

I don’t repair farm equipment, but I love my 48 inch table.

 

[PNW_Guy]

One more guy who lives in a rural area and uses a mill for "farm repair" type stuff.

I keep hearing "buy an old American mill" and that's all I heard while trying to find mine. Like many of you, I live in an area that never had a manufacturing base, so there aren't many used mills around here. Since the 80's, there haven't been many manual mills even made in the US. My assumption is that the majority of the US made mills are 40+ years old and will need a reasonable amount of work to be accurate - exactly what the OP says he DOESN'T want.

I got lucky and found an ACRA with a 49" table, power feed on X and the quill, variable speed without changing belts. I got it, as well as a few thousand pounds of other tools, stock and measuring equipment for less than a new PM, Grizzly, Jet or other import mill. I leveled it, plugged in the RPC and started using it. It's tight enough that a hole reamed to .499 won't fit a .500 gauge pin.

If you have time to wait, there can be some good deals out there on quality equipment. Unfortunately (for those of us who don't really do social media) FB Marketplace seems to be more reliable than CL for equipment now. New isn't bad, but the price is painful.

Also, one more voice saying to get a big table if you have the room.

 

[tjb]

I don’t repair farm equipment, but I love my 48 inch table.

I would assume most of us rarely 'need' a 48" or 49" table, but you know how the saying goes: "It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it." And in those rare instances when necessary, you gotta 'have' it.

Regards