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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
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    Newcastle, NSW
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    38
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    4

    Default Buying a new Mill.....Advice Please

    Hey folks Looking for some honest advise.

    I'm planning on buying a milling machine for my workshop. I am considering buying the HAFCO HM-54GV Turret Milling Machine

    https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/m579

    It will be used for small projects in garage, nothing industrial, and I'm hoping for 30 years light usage (once in a lifetime purchase). Can't imagine I'm going to need very accurate tolerances and I don't mind fixing it up a bit if need be......

    Is this machine Ok? I've read lots of bad things about HAFCO and Chinese equipment etc.......?

    Also I have budget around $7000 and weight limit of around 1 tonne.

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    35
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    1,522

    Default

    The 5xx series machines all seem to be pretty average to me, I have used one and wasn't impressed. I'd go for one of the proper Bridgeport clones like the 22 or 23. Or a second hand turret mill.

    Something like this maybe?


    https://www.machines4u.com.au/view/a...t-Mill/492550/

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
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    5,942

    Default

    In your budget have you allowed for tooling??? This can easily get in excess of your budget!!!
    I agree with Caskwarrior, look for a good second hand machine, they are available, sometimes they come with an amount of tooling.
    If you're not sure how to tell a good machine from abused, ask on here, someone may know of the machine or even be prepared to look at it for you.
    HTH
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Picnic Point, Sydney
    Age
    77
    Posts
    312

    Default

    Agree with the previous two comments regarding a used Bridgeport or similar but in saying that I find the Chinese machines are pretty good once fine tuned. One aspect of the machine you're looking at is that the head does not tilt forward which is a function I use quite often. If you must have a horizontal spindle then buy the accessory one H&F sell & maybe look at a smaller machine where the head tilts all ways.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    Newcastle, NSW
    Age
    38
    Posts
    4

    Default

    Thanks for the advice, assume I'm going to need 3 phase for the bigger second hand machines? I already have 415v to the house junction box so can't imagine it being too much of an issue getting it wired to the garage.

    Interesting about the horizontal spindle, is this the adapter you are talking about:

    https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Ho...arch&s=horizon

    Horizontal spindle not essential for me, figured it was just better to have the option?

    What about differences between gear drive and belt drive models?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    35
    Posts
    1,522

    Default

    Belt drive 100 percent of the time. If something stalls in a gear driven machine, something breaks badly. Usually a mechanical fuse like a plastic gear but it's still a pita.

    If you can have 3 phase then great, but you can use a VFD if needed.

    Sent from my Nokia 8 Sirocco using Tapatalk

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    Newcastle, NSW
    Age
    38
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    4

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by caskwarrior View Post
    Belt drive 100 percent of the time. If something stalls in a gear driven machine, something breaks badly. Usually a mechanical fuse like a plastic gear but it's still a pita.

    If you can have 3 phase then great, but you can use a VFD if needed.

    Sent from my Nokia 8 Sirocco using Tapatalk
    What are the advantages of 3 phase, all the motors seem to have the same KW anyway?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    near Rockhampton
    Posts
    6,216

    Default

    If I had to own one mill it would be a bridgeport clone style with a 9X49 or 10X50 table and it is what I do have.


    You want step pulley so less to go wrong, and you can down the track install a VFD for better speed control.

    Down the track you can buy the horizontal attachment for horizontal milling and you can do some weird setups.

    Without a doubt for me it is the #1 choice. It is not the best mill you can get, but there is a reason they are so popular and widespread.
    Gold, the colour of choice for the discerning person.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Tasmania
    Posts
    50

    Default Bridgeport on Gumtree

    Check Gumtree. There was a nice Bridgeport series 1 with step pulley head and power feed on the x axis for $2500, it had a good looking vice and a very tidy table so likely well looked after. I would be grabbing it myself but it is in Leichardt Sydney so much easier for you.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Tasmania
    Posts
    50

    Default Found it for you.

    Quote Originally Posted by Onslo_tas View Post
    Check Gumtree. There was a nice Bridgeport series 1 with step pulley head and power feed on the x axis for $2500, it had a good looking vice and a very tidy table so likely well looked after. I would be grabbing it myself but it is in Leichardt Sydney so much easier for you.
    I am not affiliated with this seller and have not inspected it so caveat emptor.

    https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-view-de...dId=1221315692

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    australia
    Posts
    57

    Default

    I can see that a few persons replying to this post have never used one of these mills, EVER, they are great value for dollar and it's a 'bloody good machine'.
    It's a very forgiving and versatile machine for home shop work, oh, it will still be working long after your pushing up daisies.
    Worked one of these for 10yrs before I retired from machining and it was still very accurate and did everything that was asked of it.
    The digital's on it will make working it a dream too, learn how do a PCD as soon as you get it operating, made life real easy using the digital's.
    You will have to allow another couple of grand for tooling as well as the purchase price of the machine. Maybe start scouring Ebay for tooling as well.
    As for others saying a clapped out old bit of crud like a secondhand bridgeport would be the go, well, they haven't seen how sloppy they are, you got to remember that they would be 50 yrs old.
    Suppose they would even recommend a clapped out out old boat anchor like a hercus, as well as a sloppy bridgeport.


    If you buy one you will not be disappointed at all.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    35
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    1,522

    Default

    One thing I'll add, whatever mill you buy, 30 taper and 40 taper are drastically superior to R8. Apart from not having flush collets they are better in every way. I have done good work with R8, but 40 taper is way way better.

    Sent from my Nokia 8 Sirocco using Tapatalk

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    Newcastle, NSW
    Age
    38
    Posts
    4

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by mardtrp View Post
    I can see that a few persons replying to this post have never used one of these mills, EVER, they are great value for dollar and it's a 'bloody good machine'.
    It's a very forgiving and versatile machine for home shop work, oh, it will still be working long after your pushing up daisies.
    Worked one of these for 10yrs before I retired from machining and it was still very accurate and did everything that was asked of it.
    The digital's on it will make working it a dream too, learn how do a PCD as soon as you get it operating, made life real easy using the digital's.
    You will have to allow another couple of grand for tooling as well as the purchase price of the machine. Maybe start scouring Ebay for tooling as well.
    As for others saying a clapped out old bit of crud like a secondhand bridgeport would be the go, well, they haven't seen how sloppy they are, you got to remember that they would be 50 yrs old.
    Suppose they would even recommend a clapped out out old boat anchor like a hercus, as well as a sloppy bridgeport.


    If you buy one you will not be disappointed at all.
    Thanks for the advice, it is only going to be used for hobby purposes.

    I'm also guessing the second hand machines are really heavy as I'm limited to about 1 tonne with my forklift.

    I'll probably buy the tooling over time, definitely going to have a look on eBay etc.....

    Sorry I'm pretty new to this, what is a PCD?!

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Townsville, Tropical Nth Qld.
    Posts
    225

    Default

    [QUOTE=caskwarrior;1952641]The 5xx series machines all seem to be pretty average to me, I have used one and wasn't impressed. I'd go for one of the proper Bridgeport clones like the 22 or 23. Or a second hand turret mill.

    /QUOTE]
    As Caskwarrior says, spend another $600 and get a 23A or a 22AD. They don't have the variable speed, but are a far more versatile machine.
    Rgds,
    Crocy.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Australia east coast
    Age
    71
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    2,713

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Onslo_tas View Post
    I am not affiliated with this seller and have not inspected it so caveat emptor.

    https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-view-de...dId=1221315692
    That is a quite old Bridgeport. The giveaway is the mechanical power feed box hanging off of the end of the table.

    Now if the ways are in good shape that's by no means a criticism. Just an observation.

    As for the comments about a new mill versus an old one, I have an old B/port and I bought one of those Chinese H&F mills new for my toolroom when I was managing a marine science group. The H&F machine wasn't bad but it certainly wasn't wonderful either. Other than the 30 taper spindle - I agree R8 isn't the greatest - I'd take a *good* B/port over the H&F mill. But I'd take the new H&F mill over a clapped out B/port too.

    For the price difference I'd be taking a good look at that B/port. I've had mine for over 20 years now. These days I have better mills so it's been relegated to a glorified wood router, but they're quite versatile provided you're not after the ultimate in rigidity & power.

    PDW

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