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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Location
    Geelong, VIC, Australia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    4

    Default Cheap (Affordable) Ebay Milling Machine

    Hello All,

    Hugh here. New to this forum, a member of Homemodelenginebuilders and various other model engineering groups.

    I currently have a Seig SX1L (SX1 with extended table travel) to fettle my steam engine parts and am looking to upgrade.
    I'd love a Bridgeport clone, or even an original. They were always my favourite mills when I was in the trade. So versatile. But my workshop space won't accommodate such a large footprint, and three phase power is of the question so I'm researching larger benchtop mills.
    IMO, the Seigs are a little over priced for the build quality that they offer and frankly, a small Opti, or HF type looks to be more robust. Yes, I know that they build quality is probably more or less equivalent to the Seigs, but the prices are more attractive.

    I'm fully expecting to pay between AUD2k-3k for a decent upgrade to what I have now. In my internet trawling I saw these on ebay...

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Geared-H...e6e4%7Ciid%3A1

    The price looks good and the specs also. The features seem to be very seventies. The fit and finish reminiscent of seventies Taiwanese machines and that's fine by me. My 1977 Taiwanese Lathe is built like a Swiss watch on steroids.

    I'm asking if anyone has any experience with this machine as I can't find the same machine anywhere else on the internet.

    Good or Bad feedback is fine as long as it's objective.

    Cheers,

    Hugh

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Southern Flinders Ranges
    Posts
    1,536

    Default

    It’s and RF45 clone. Do an internet search of RF45 issues and you’ll get an idea of what your in for. I have an RF45, they are reasonable machines for what they are, but you’ll need to expect to spend a bit of time making it the best machine it can be. As much as I spruik that I need a bigger machine to my other half, the RF45 keeps plowing through the material I feed it, so I can’t really complain.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Location
    Geelong, VIC, Australia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    4

    Default

    Thanks Racingtadpole.

    I fully expect that paying as little as that for a machine of that size means that it will need some fettling. Most likely the dovetails will need some work.

    But I'm not scared to get my hands dirty and as an ex maintenance fitter, I know the drill (If it doesn't fit force it. If it breaks, it might not be meant to go there).

    Cheers,

    Hugh

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Southern Flinders Ranges
    Posts
    1,536

    Default

    Oddly enough, the dovetails are generally one of the bits you don’t have problems with if you keep them oiled.
    Mine is leaking from the quill seal, and currently needs the feed screws/nuts maybe adjusted (I live in hope) or more realistically replaced (mine is over 10years old).

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Location
    Geelong, VIC, Australia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    4

    Default

    Maybe replaced by captive Ball Nuts and screws? That would be nice... But more suited to an NC conversion maybe.

    The feed screws on my little Seig are pretty rough. I think they were made by a little man sitting under a tree with a triangular needle file and a lot of time on his hands. There are a lot of upgrades I could do for my mini mill, but then I'd still yearn for an upgrade.

    I did the same on my old Seig Metal Master 7x12 Lathe. Redid the bed and ways, replaced the underbed bearing plates, made a quick change tool post and then sold it to fund my larger Taiwanese lathe. Always regretted selling it... It had it's limitations, but I knew what they were and was very familiar with the machine.

    Cheers,

    Hugh

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Southern Flinders Ranges
    Posts
    1,536

    Default

    You can buy the RF45 with ballscrews fitted from factory, ready for motors, but that adds about $5k to the price

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