Boxford VM30 or Warco VMC

[Michael Edwards 1Participant @michaeledwards1]

Hi All

I am getting frustrated with the 2 x T Slots on my mill and the amount of 'Y' travel I have.No Quill and no reverse. (Boxford VM30) so was looking to maybe change to a Warco VMC.

So my question is am I getting rid of the better machine (Boxford) for something not so good?

Regards

Mike

[Michael Edwards 1Participant @michaeledwards1]

Need to make a choice

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

Mike,

I'm V happy with my Warco VMC mill. Its capabilities far exceed mine. I went up from an Amadeal XJ12 mill when we relocated to the UK. Depending on where you are located (presumably in the UK) I would suggest either visiting Warco or perhaps a forum member local to you who has a VMC and have a knob-twiddling session to see how it suits you, or not.

John

P.S. DRO well worth the extra in my opinion. When I bought mine last year, Warco were doing a "cheap" version, using glass scales and remote display. Cost in the region of £290 extra (unfitted).

[VicParticipant @vic]

I agonised for ages about which mill to get and went over budget and got a VMC and I've not regretted it. I don't think you can beat a proper knee mill and the 626 type is as far as I know the smallest available new these days. Not up to the quality of an old English mill if you can get one that's not too badly worn but more than usable by most hobbyists standards I think. If you fit a DRO try not to lose the table stops, I've found them very useful.

[Mike BondarczukParticipant @mikebondarczuk27171]

I can fully endorse the VMC comments and have the Chester version, albeit slightly older and made in Taiwan in the early days.

Have four DRO's fitted, one each for X, Y and Z axis as well as one for the quill, which makes operation extremely easy and reproducible, and a three phase motor running via a VFD, which gives great speed flexibility.

The only issue I have is not being able to fit one of the new table drive systems as the X axis lead screw seems to be too short so will have to go the windscreen wiper motor route one day.

Have yet to come up with the height clearance issues that some are reporting but as I am only working on smallish stationary engines think it will be some time before I face that problem.

Yes, I would love a Bridgeport but don't have the space and so far am very happy with the VMC.

Mike

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

Mike,

As part of the package from Warco, I also specified their X-axis power feed. It fitted perfectly and operates with no problems. You just don't use the supplied casting (which is for the Bridgeport only). You can see it fitted below, just after delivery and before I fitted the DRO system. (omplete with travel stops and power feed limit switches, Vic.)

John

[Mark P.Participant @markp]

I bought a Warco VMC with fitted DRO a year ago can’t fault it, except I find it could with a slower low speed. Maybe I will fit an inverter/motor package at some stage.
Mark P.

[Rex HanmanParticipant @rexhanman57403]

I too am irritated by the lack of a central t slot on my Boxford VM 30. However I simply drilled two 1" x 1/2" steel bars to match the existing T slots with a central 3/8" stud. The clamps go on the stud and achieve the same thing as a central T slot.

I have never understood the need for reverse on a milling machine…does it put metal back on when you take too much off? Someone please enlighten me!

Yes, it does lack a quill but it is such a good machine for its size I wouldn't part with it.

[Michael Edwards 1Participant @michaeledwards1]

Thanks all for your replies. The Warco does look like a good machine. As for the outcome of this. i am going to have to have some serious thinking to do. Just had quote from Warco for DRO and Auto with 3 phase motor and VFD. Looking £3K. Bit of saving to do then….

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

Posted by Rex Hanman on 14/04/2016 23:03:22:

I have never understood the need for reverse on a milling machine…does it put metal back on when you take too much off? Someone please enlighten me!

Tapping is probably the obvious one, although doubtless there are other situations. Also, on some machines like the Bridgeports, engaging the back gear reverses the spindle direction (it has a gear reduction stage following a belt reduction stage), so you need to be able to reverse the motor to compensate.

Murray

[Roger VaneParticipant @rogervane67137]

Rex

Your comment regarding reverse – I very often tap down to 6BA (M3) under power using forward and reverse 'jog' on the VFD. Holding the tap in a drill chuck saves fitting the tapping head, although care is needed with blind holes and small taps if you do this.

Roger

[Rex HanmanParticipant @rexhanman57403]

Thanks for the information. I have never used a tapping head, though always assumed they were auto reversing. Tapping with a VFD makes sense, you would need reverse for that.

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