First Mini Mill

L

Laytonnz

Registered
Registered
Joined
Aug 16, 2015
Messages
121
Ive been looking around different sites and reading heaps of bits and pieces about many different mini mills and came across the optimum bf20l, has anybody had any experience with this mill? I have been put off the likes of sieg machines from many bad reviews the optimum retails here just shy of $2,000 the sieg x2 is $1,100..

Im in new zealand by the way

I see its quite popular to convert to CNC, so if anybody has used one or have good or bad opinions of this machine feel free to chime in!

I will take the plunge next week if people think its an alright!
https://www.machineryhouse.co.nz/M650
 
Last edited:
I know they are really popular in Germany.
One of my favorite YouTubers traded in his CNC for a Optimum manual mill, he has the next size up though
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY8gSLTqvs38bR9X061jFWw
He is an incredibly good machinist, and is very happy with his machine.

The one issue I see with Optimums is they use a Morris taper, which is just brain dead. That particular machine I believe uses an MT2 taper. Stefan on the channel listed above has to frequently repairs his buddies MT2 taper because it gets beat to hell and back when milling. His machine has a larger taper (MT4 I think), and he protects it by using an ER collet chuck in the taper.

I am not sure what it available in your area. For me a mill with a Morris taper is a deal breaker because it is not a mill, it is a drill that is pretending to mill. By all accounts though, they seem to be really good machines.
 
It uses a MT3 i would prefer R8 but it doesnt seem to be an option on this mill.. geting tools for a MT3 isnt much of an issue here from what i can see.

Thanks for the reply will watch a few of those youtube vids later on!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top