- Joined
- Oct 10, 2016
- Messages
- 25
This is my small one I was referring to.
content://com.android.chrome.FileProvider/images/screenshot/1478634247541-1947428658.jpg
It's not bad & can do the work you was referring to if you bolt it to the table. It will only hooks a 4" vise tho. I do mist of my work from a vise. A 6" vise is big & heavy. It will take a big mill to Mount it to.
4x12" of work in a lathe is pretty big as well. It kinda depends if you are working with tube or round stock to say what size chuck you need but I don't think you could spin ether in a 7x12.
I'm just going off of what I'm seeing from littlemachineshop.com The seem to have a lot of what I'm looking for.
This lathe would do all that I need to do really for lightsaber props and just basic turning down metal for
http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=5100&category=1271799306
And then I'm considering getting this mill and adding their 4th axis upgrade:
http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=5500&category=1387807683
It's a little bit more expensive then what I'd like, but I feel like it'd be worth it in the long run.
No prob . If you're only doing aluminum you'll have alot easier time with smaller machines. When i was looking into getting a mill , a guy i know told me whatever I get, it's never gona be big enough or heavy enough...so be forewarned of what youre getting into. Once you see what you can do, you're gona want to do more. If you get something like a $1-2000 bench mill , you can have alot of fun in aluminum. Then if you want to upgrade, you can sell it without losing a fortune. You being a student, I would find something $1-2K with good reviews. From someone who hasn't been doing this a long time, I would say either start small and cheaper ...or get a bridgeport or Taiwan bridgeport clone (Knee mills) . I have a PM-935 which is a 2/3 Bridgeport clone . In it's price point it's pretty rigid, full featured and not too huge. It is around $5500-$7K depending what you get with it...and it is BY FAR , not the biggest and best as mills go. Matt at Precision Matthews sells it. On occasion he also has used machines and he sells small machines too. He's a straight shooter if you call him ...have him call you back if he's not there. I also saw a nice Acra in similar price range. Most of the machines, even smaller ones will require borrowing an engine hoist and 2 guys to place the machine . You're in the right place if you want info. Alot of very helpful people on this forum . Also check out (if you haven't already) the youtube channels of mrpete222 , oxtoolco , etc . Good luck in school and finding machines !
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKLIIdKEpjAnn8E76KP7sQg
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZC9LGZLfyjrKT4OZne-JNw
and this series
Thank you! Glad to know that I'm in the right place.