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Thread: Advice on Hafco Mill Drills
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5th Feb 2018, 07:11 PM #1New Member
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Advice on Hafco Mill Drills
I am thinking of purchasing a Mill/Drill from Hare and Forbes,I am interested in either the HM-46 or the MH-28v (Optimum). I would appreciate advice from anyone has experience with these models.My main purpose for the machine is light milling,model engineering etc.Thanks,Bill.
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6th Feb 2018, 11:39 PM #2
Hard question to answer. When I have researched around looking for opinions and recommendations to help me make machine/tool purchasing decisions, I was staggered at the range of responses for the same item....."best machine I ever owned" to " rubbish, avoid at all costs". Hard to wade through it and come to a consensus. Depends a lot on the experience and attitude of the owner, and the applications they use the machine for.
There will be plenty who will warn you off anything Chinese (both your mills are Chinese in manufacture), but then others have been making Chinese machines produce some amazing results. Yes, it would be nice to have an old school solid machine, but at what cost? And at what risk second hand if you are not sure of how to check for wear and run out. I've got a mixture of both and enjoy exploiting the pros and cons of both to produce the end product. Love my old machines, but have managed to give the Chinese machines a pretty good work out as well.
Having said that, any failures I have had with my Chinese mills, lathes, saws, etc have been in the electricals. Switches, motor capacitors, lights. Not their strong points. I've had a few leaky bearing seals. All fixable.
Looking at the spec of both the H&F mills you have nominated as your short list, there is not much in it. As a generalisation, get the biggest machine you can afford, move and house. Grunt and rigidity are very important features, no matter how small your work is. Also, one day you will want to do something bigger and it is nice not be be limited to only small jobs (ie. job length/width in one pass, height under the tool, depth of cut, chatter, etc.) Both have a dovetail column which is essential (over a round column). Personally, I am a convert to DRO's for accuracy and productivity; and wouldn't get a machine without a coolant pump system.....but no doubt you can live without either.
I have a HM-48 which has done a lot of work and I'm happy with it. I also have a GHD-32 drill/mill which has a similar head to the HM-46 - although I only use it for drilling, it has worked fine.
Given the specs for both your choices are so similar, go and check out both mills close up and see if you get a feel for the build quality and finish - with an eye on the size/weight of key items (I'm big on rigidity with machine tools).
Good luck....be very interested in your final choice and why.
Cheers, Tony
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7th Feb 2018, 10:06 AM #3New Member
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Thanks for your reply,unfortunately in Tasmania and there is no one stocking these mills here,I have been leaning towards the heavier HM-46 but have no way of comparing the quality/finish of both models.I also plan on adding some DRO's.I made one to fit the saddle on my lathe and it has made a big difference.Cheers,Bill.
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7th Feb 2018, 10:58 PM #4
That makes it difficult. I live not far from Hare & Forbes, if I can help by going there and asking questions on your behalf, take detailed photos, etc. let me know.
Tony
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8th Feb 2018, 10:30 AM #5New Member
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Thanks for your offer.Don't go out of your way,but if you are in the area I would appreciate your comments on the HM-46.One thing I have not been able to find is the bolt hole layout for the base,as I want to make my own stand before I purchase so hopefully I can set it on at delivery.As you have the HM-48(which I assume is similar but larger than the 46)you are well placed to comment on the build of these mills.Thanks again,Bill.
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8th Feb 2018, 04:51 PM #6
I can get there tomorrow (Friday 9 Feb) morning to have a look.
Looking over the H&F site again and comparing the two, it is tempting to go with the heavier HM46, but I know from previous looks at the Optimum stuff, that the fit and finish on the Optimum is pretty good, albeit everything looks a bit lighter in gauge and weight. I think the Z axis crank on the Optimum is in a poor location (you spend a fair bit of time cranking up and down) and I would be retro fitting a crank handle on the fine feed quill dial/knob; I do like that it has a DRO on the quill travel - the HM46 only has a course reading scale, a bit like you would expect on a drill press, no where near accurate enough for precision milling. If I got the HM46, I'd be installing a DRO on the quill travel (and we already know that an X and Y DRO is a worthwhile addition). The Optimum has a work light, not a deal stopper, but you will need to install your own on the HM46.
Not sure any of my comments are much help, as both machines are likely to do the job OK, and the points I raised are only minor pros and cons.
I'm happy to take base and bolt measurements (as accurate at doing in the shop will allow) and send them to you. Let me know if there is anything else you want me to look at, or send me a PM if you would prefer.
H&F usually have a sale around mid March - might be worth waiting and getting a better price.
Cheers, Tony
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8th Feb 2018, 05:09 PM #7
By the way, have you searched other relevant posts on this forum? I found an interesting read re HM46's at //metalworkforums.com/f65/t1313...l-drill/page-2
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8th Feb 2018, 08:01 PM #8Member
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I've got an HM-46 aat home and the optimum at work.
I prefer the HM-46 for it's size and versatility.
With the HM you can easily swap out the draw bar. I've got metric and imperial tooling. The optimum has an odd captive drawbar setup which will limit tooling options.
HM will take standard power feed motors too, I think the optimum might be a bit small.
Optimum only has 2 gearbox speeds. HM has 6 but the optimum has variable motor speed.
One thing that did catch me out with the HM was the amount of head room required.
I used to have it in a low ceiling garage and would have to crank the head down to get the draw bar out.
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8th Feb 2018, 08:41 PM #9
You have experience with both machines - very helpful. Didn't know about the odd draw bar arrangement on the Optimum. That would put me off a bit.
I have an HM48, which has done a lot of work, without any dramas or nasty surprises. Not a HM46, but same family.
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8th Feb 2018, 09:14 PM #10Member
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I wish I had the 48 for the powered Z axis. Manually cranking the 46 head up and down isn't the most ergonomic thing to do. I use a cordless drill for that.
You might be able to swap out the optimum draw bar but it's nowhere as simple as the HM series. Rather than tapping it to release the taper, you just keep undoing it and the thread pushes the taper down.
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8th Feb 2018, 10:40 PM #11
If the Optimum draw bar can't be removed, then I guess you can't use tools (drill bits) with a tang? Is that right?
On the up side, a method where you use a screw thread to push the taper out is not a bad thing. Better than bashing away with a hammer either on the draw bar or on a drift. Have been meaning to devise a bracket on top of the mill to provide a stop for a nut on the draw bar to push it in via the thread, to push the taper down and out. Just one more thing on the to do list!
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9th Feb 2018, 06:43 AM #12New Member
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I too am looking at the HM46, I was advised by an old hand to go for a gearbox rather than infinitely variable motor, I intend getting the DRO kit that H&F have been advertising
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9th Feb 2018, 07:33 AM #13Most Valued Member
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You can save quite a bit of money by ordering the same dro and scales off aliexpress and fitting it yourself just so you know, I think I paid $300 for mine shipped.
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9th Feb 2018, 08:11 AM #14Member
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I pulled the Optimum draw bar apart this morning. Not so bad as it turns out.
Simple enough to make new ones to suit different tooling.
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9th Feb 2018, 09:02 AM #15New Member
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Thanks Tony,The base size and approximate bolt holes would be very helpful,also I am not sure if the overall height given in the specs is with the head fully raised,I agree a DRO on the quill as well as the X and Y would be needed.Thanks again,Bill.
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