Mill Query, help needed

[Terry KirkupParticipant @terrykirkup37827]

Hi All

I bought a Warco WM290V in December and although it hasn't many miles on the clock yet I think it's a fabulous piece of kit. Because I've been trying to equip a workshop for when I can't ride bicycles any more I think it need a mill for the sake of completion.

I looked at the 2901 milling head attachment for the lathe but it only has an R8 spindle thingy while the lathe is 3MT, which I found a bit weird, but because I've invested some pennies in 3MT bits I'd like to keep the mill compatible. Because of that it looks like I am slightly restricted on choice. I've looked at the Warco WM16B which apparently does have an MT3 spindle and also the Amadeal AMAT30LV ditto. I then came across Frank Hoose's 2015 review of the Sieg SX2.7 on YouTube and was quite taken by that as it goes down to 40rpm for tapping as against 100 I think for the other two here and I like some of its other functions although it seems it is only R8 equipped, although Ketan at ARC did mention an MT3 version of the similar SX30 on here somewhere.
All I know for sure is that I want a mill with a rectangular/square pillar, belt drive, brusheless motor, MT3 spindle and slow tapping capability!
Can anyone out there offer any guidance please or have I already found all there is to discover?

[Terry KirkupParticipant @terrykirkup37827]

Everything’s a blur!

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I would not get too stressed about a slow speed for tapping as at 40rpm you must have a lot of time to spare, 100rpm is quite sedate. Do however look for amill with a specific tapping function which will mean that the chip has a dedicated set of motor perameters that allow the machine to tap at it's best and also has fwd/rev switching in teh quill which makes for less panic when you get to the end of the hole and also reverses the spindle without undew stress on teh drive train.

I would not rule out R8 just for the sake of the odd occasion when you want to swap tools, you can always buy a second arbor for a boring head and a drill chuck and arbour is not that expensive.

[Clive Brown 1Participant @clivebrown1]

If it's any help, I bought an imperial 3MT Warco 16B fairly recently and I'm very pleased with it so far. Not a machine for heavy milling but it seems good value. It's accurate and the general fit and finish are impressive. I don't miss a tapping function but I do have a GHT tapping tool which has much use and serves very well for accurate tap alignment. Most of my threading is BA sizes and I feel that small taps are less likely to be broken when "hand-driven"

A feature of the 16B is the relatively short quill travel, 50mm, which might be a niggle if you don't have a bench drill.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Unless you are going into business making thread plates the number of holes you are going to tap isn't that many that you need it to be a special feature that governs your choice.
I think after there have been so many moans on forums about mills without R8 but only MT3 the suppliers have decided to make that R8 the standard. As said above the extra tools shouldn't be that significant. Once you have a mill you will never use the boring head n the lathe again. (well almost never).

Since the lathe is 6in centre height you want to be looking at a complimentary size mill and the WM16 is a bit small. You should be saving up for an 18 equivalent or you will always be frustrated.

[Terry KirkupParticipant @terrykirkup37827]

Hi Bazyle, thanks for the input. My kit is for personal satisfaction only, no intention to make money from it, I'd worry about my workmanship too much! I take your point about the extra size. Another midnight Googling session approaches, I fear.

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