Milling Machine

[WolfieParticipant @wolfie]

OK can anyone recommend a milling machine less than £1000 (much less preferably) suitable for a relative novice.

 

Doesn’t need to be all singing and dancing etc, just be reliable and accurate.

[WolfieParticipant @wolfie]

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

You could do a lot worse than what I did – that’s buy an XJ12-300 from Amadeal. They are still quoting £412 inc VAT, which is what I paid a long while ago. You very much get what you pay for, does exactly what it says on the pallet and, in my humble opinion is an excellent machine for the beginner at a reasonable price. Be prepared to pay pretty much the same again for tools, clamps, vice, etc,etc …………

Usual disclaimer – just a satisfied customer.

 

John

 

[michael coleParticipant @michaelcole91146]

What are you planning to make with it. Remenber it is just not the size of the table but the area covered by the cutter. The cross travel on smaller mills is normally to small to be usefull. I started off with a X2 mill ( too small) and moved up to a Chester Lux.The bigger the better as with all machine tools.

 

Mike

[WolfieParticipant @wolfie]

OK good point, what do you call a smaller mill then?

[michael coleParticipant @michaelcole91146]

Unless you are making really small things the X2 size mills i think too small. There was just 90 mm y travel on mine. I was building a 5 inch loco at the time. My current mill a Chester Lux has 190 mm cross travel and you still have to think about placement on the table for the larger parts to be covered.

 

Mike

[SpringbokParticipant @springbok]

Hi Wolfie.

 

Depending on space the biggest you can get and afford but keep in mind all the other bits you will want, collets, cutters,rotary table, I could go on. Depending on the flavour of what you eventualy select they may throw in a vice but be prepared to buy a decent one as the “extras” are usualy chinese.

 

Good luck

 

Bob

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

My Rexon mill has 280mm under the chuck, and thats some times a biy of a squeeze, so head room is quite important. Ian S C

[NilochParticipant @niloch]

The Warco WM18 has had a good review and seems to be an excellent mid-size machine. Check out delivery times from whomsoever you order. The Warco people are fair and pleasant to deal with. Usual disclaimer.

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