Experiences With Mid Sized Mill

[KMPParticipant @kmp]

Hi, I am about to downsize my Bridgeport Mill but have yet to decide what to replace it with. Has anyone any experience of Lux, Super Lux types, the Warco WM20 or Chester/Toolco 836 type machines? Any comments would be much appreciated. I have considered the VMC/626 type but feel the capacity is a little small for what I do. I have agonized over this for several years but must get on with things now. Any help or general points would be very helpful as would your experience if you have one of them. Thanks in anticipation.

Keith

[KMPParticipant @kmp]

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

Keith

I have a square column bench mill supplied via Chester essentially similar to the Lux but with a slightly smaller table and infinitely variable speed via VFD drive and two step pulley belt drive. R8 taper. I’ve now upgraded to a Bridgeport so have a good basis for comparison.

Leaving aside any “import quality control” issues the basic cutting capability is, in practice, similar to that of a Bridgeport. The Bridgeport will cut harder and faster but the rate of swarf production becomes uncomfortable in a domestic workshop. Once properly set-up accuracy can be as good, I fitted an proper 3 axis glass scale DRO to mine.

The two fundamental issues relate to Y-Axis travel and the head size. On mine only about half the Y-axis depth of the table can be covered by the cutter axis. This seriously reduces the work envelope as compared to a Bridgeport. The head is heavy and cumbersome to move. The power driven elevation on a Super Lux is a good idea, I got as far as finding a motor before getting sensible and upgrading. Tilt it past about 20 degrees and you aren’t gonna get it back up on your own without some form of mechanical assistance. No worm or other motion controller so its darned dangerous without a safety strap. Compared to a Bridgeport visibility past the squared off head is poor so setting up and measuring the in progress job can be a right pain. Lack of space also makes beating a job down onto parallels much trickier.

Mine gave me a lot of machining capability in a small space for which I was grateful at the time. Now I’m used to a Bridgeport I’d hate to go back even though 90% of the work i do would still fit the smaller machine. You really need to try before you buy. I’m in East Sussex, if you are in striking distance you are welcome to come and play for an hour or two. Its got to go sometime so if you liked it …

Clive

[KMPParticipant @kmp]

Clive Hi,
Thank you very much for your very informative response, the issues you identify I would have missed (until I had bought one) without your help. It certainly means that I have a better idea of what to look for and play with when I go to see the options. Thank you for your very kind offer of some “playing time” but unfortunately I am in South Wales so a little more than striking distance but, not too far for a “pickup” if I decided that I do really want one……. When I have had a look and play I will get back to you on that. I must admit that you haven’t given it the hard sell and your “getting sensible and upgrading” comment puts my dilemma in a nutshell. While my Bridgeport is old, noisy and tired it is still capable of excellent work and like an old sweater one gets used to it.

I had hoped that this type of mill would provide a reasonable working envelope in a much smaller space which would allow me to return part of my garage to its original function. Your practical points about visibility and access are crucial to me as I am not the most patient and these frustrations would make living with it difficult for me after years of the Bridgeport “flexibility”. As I am looking for a long term setup your point on the head is also helpful as I certainly can’t move what I used to. That of course means that I will need to look more towards the 836/WM20 type and they are not cheap. Perhaps my initial plan to move the Bridgeport elsewhere and supplement it with a smaller mill (X3, WM18 etc) for everyday use should be back on the cards.

Anyway Clive, I am most grateful for your post, it was just the exact experience I was hoping for. While not giving me an instant solution it has clarified the options a great deal and after several years of agonising; that is very much appreciated.

Regards

Keith

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