Considering a round-column mill, advice requested.

I bought the HF round column mill and only wish I had got there red mill with the table lift . Not much more then the round column with the 25% off coupon. It's in the range you want to spend and the size is almost the same . There are advantages to the table lift for drilling and reaming even boring . Another plus you can add an extra spacer to get more room . Ck the HF red mill I wish I had.

Assuming you're referring to their "9 speed veritcal milling machine", I had considered that one, but for me it would cost significantly more as I'd have to upgrade the electric service to my work area as well as paying about $500 more. It looks to be better in many areas, but outside of my criteria, after all, for just a little more I could get .... and for just a little more than that I could get..... :p

Honestly, I think one of the X2 or similar line would have been more than sufficient and I've probably already bought more machine than I really needed. Either way, the money has been spent and it's on it's way. :)
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I decided to quit stalling and placed the order for the mill and some tooling. Here's to hoping for satisfactory results!
Which one did you order?
 
Which one did you order?

I ordered the round column I linked to at first, it seemed to be the best fit for what I intend to do and fits within the limitations I have to work with. I'm still pretty sure an X2 would have done everything I expect to work on, but I wanted something a little bigger as I was worried I would outgrow an X2 too soon. I suspect anything bigger will require major electrical renovation as I have only 120v circuits, of which I already trip breakers more often than I'd like when I use the welder.

Edit: This one
HF #33686 1.5HP Milling/Drilling Machine
 
Glad you figured out what you wanted. Good luck with your choice , in a few years ill bet it'll be to small . But it's the machinist it's not the machine. Enjoy and MERRY CHRISTMAS
 
I have the exact mill you are considering.

I suggest adding DRO's to the X-Y-Z axes. I purchased 3 Igaging battery operated units. Inexpensive, fairly accurate. These resulted is a VERY big step-up in my capabilities.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-Re...107663?hash=item21113ca44f:g:ucUAAOSwzJ5XVi4o

Here are the pics of my install. Cast iron is very easy to drill & tap. I made the Z mounts from 6061 T aluminum. I made the attachment links & covers for the X & Y axes from sheet aluminum.

It does require some critical thinking to get these parts sized & mounted correctly.

If you go this route, let me know, I may be able to save you some time & effort!

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I have the exact mill you are considering.

I suggest adding DRO's to the X-Y-Z axes. I purchased 3 Igaging battery operated units. Inexpensive, fairly accurate. These resulted is a VERY big step-up in my capabilities.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-Re...107663?hash=item21113ca44f:g:ucUAAOSwzJ5XVi4o

Here are the pics of my install. Cast iron is very easy to drill & tap. I made the Z mounts from 6061 T aluminum. I made the attachment links & covers for the X & Y axes from sheet aluminum.

It does require some critical thinking to get these parts sized & mounted correctly.

If you go this route, let me know, I may be able to save you some time & effort!
I also have this mill and, beside from the round column problem which I can live with, I am quite pleased with it. I have also added the 3 axis dros quite like Techee's. These work flawlessly even though I didn't put any covers over them. The lack of covers has surprisingly not presented any problems.
 
My used Enco version of the RF30 does not have any DRO yet, but I am also looking at them for it. Gonzo and Techee How did you hook up the one on the quill. Ken
 
My used Enco version of the RF30 does not have any DRO yet, but I am also looking at them for it. Gonzo and Techee How did you hook up the one on the quill. Ken
I am still in my bath robe. I will get back with you with photos later.
 
I just went down & took these pics.

Since the front face scale for the quill is not vertical, I made two different sized mounts to get the DRO vertical. I was careful to shim as close as possible.

I used the Igaging brackets (supplied in the DRO kit) to connect to the mechanical scale on the mill....I removed the pointer.

My wire routing is a little sloppy & I need to clean that up!

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For some reason I though mine had some extra play in it. I will have to check that out. I figure that the x and y should be not be that bad. Just made a part that would have been handy on.
 
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