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  1. #16
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Bundaberg QLD
    Posts
    42

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Sterob View Post
    I bought a similar machine a few years ago from H&F. I just do the basic stuff.
    If I had my time again, I would get a power feed, head raising/lowering motor and a keyless chuck instead of what I got with it.

    Cranking those handles get old real quick. I made mine as funds were tight but that takes ALOT of time....
    Just sayin'....

    Steve
    I have been lucky and have kept every battery drill and electric motors of various kinds for this type of project. With the hoarding I have done I might just be able to fabricate a solution. Besides aftermarket equipment is so expensive and honestly the X axis motor you can buy with a mill seems like it could get in the way as some of the sit higher than the table.

    https://www.toolpros.net/product/ori...al500d-series/

    With a mill I should be able to make a nice Z axis power feed for the mill. Something to aim for anyway.

  2. #17
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Bundaberg QLD
    Posts
    42

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by simonl View Post
    Before I bought my first mill, I considered one of the Metex 45 mills. I went and looked at one in the flesh.

    I can't guarantee what yours will be like but the one I looked at certainly seemed to have quality above those offered by H&F.

    It looked and felt reasonably good. They were about $2500 back then with only the basics included such as 13mm drill chuck etc.

    Never used an R8 system but any system that has a captive drawbar and does not require you to bash the tooling out is much better. So for that reason I would go for R8 over MT3.

    My first mill has a MT4 and I grew to hate it! Now I have NT40 and it's a dream.

    Good luck

    Simon

    Sent from a galaxy far far away
    Did you change to NT40 on your MT4 mill or did you change the mill? I doubt I will be too upset with R8.

  3. #18
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Tamworth, NSW
    Posts
    202

    Default

    Well I think there are plenty of us window shopping so when you buy please share your experiences! I’d like R8 but always look at the asset plant mills which are more money (and features) but MT4 only. https://assetplant.com.au/product/en...vetail-guides/

  4. #19
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Bundaberg QLD
    Posts
    42

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Danger Mouse View Post
    Well I think there are plenty of us window shopping so when you buy please share your experiences! I’d like R8 but always look at the asset plant mills which are more money (and features) but MT4 only. https://assetplant.com.au/product/en...vetail-guides/

    They certainly set those mills up nice. I think that by doing some things myself I can one...save some money and two... learn more about what makes it tick?
    If I bought that mill I would be set to do just about anything but I would have to miss out on some necessary tooling for my mill. I have to weigh up how much I can spend and afford a vice, clamp down kit and a rotary table etc. I wish I had that kind of money though!

  5. #20
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Southern Flinders Ranges
    Posts
    1,536

    Default

    Start saving for the DRO now..

  6. #21
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    4,779

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Sparkiekosten View Post
    Did you change to NT40 on your MT4 mill or did you change the mill? I doubt I will be too upset with R8.
    No I bought another mill S/H.

    It was sight unseen and required interstate travel with a Bunnings tandem to pick it up. It was an epic undertaking on my behalf.

    Finished nightshift in the morning, drove from Melbourne to the foothills of blue mountains that same day, camped in a reserve with my swag that night, picked it up the next day and then drove home!

    It's required a tonne of work on the head (which was in pieces in a bucket)

    But its been a great machine.

    Still, I learnt alot on my first mill and it was the right choice at the time as I had never used a mill before and buying a S/H mill first up would have been too much of a challenge.

    Also often you need a mill to fix a mill.

    Simon

    Sent from a galaxy far far away
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  7. #22
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    near Warragul, Victoria
    Posts
    3,718

    Default Dm45

    Hi

    I have a DM45 that came new from Standaco the machinery dealers in Melbourne

    It's been a OK machine , the R8 tooling system has performed well.

    The gearbox noise is excessive, it rattles and clangs as if it's about to disintegrate. I haven't replaced the cheap Chinese spindle bearings, maybe the bearings are knackered.

    Stefan Gotteswinter ( the German toolmaker on utube) has the Optimum brand 45 machine, for some reason his machine is very quiet and smooth ( wish mine was so quiet ! ) , he has also fitted a NT30 splindle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSjLhEWY1Vg

  8. #23
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Bundaberg QLD
    Posts
    42

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by racingtadpole View Post
    Start saving for the DRO now..
    I've been looking already

  9. #24
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Bundaberg QLD
    Posts
    42

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by morrisman View Post
    Hi

    I have a DM45 that came new from Standaco the machinery dealers in Melbourne

    It's been a OK machine , the R8 tooling system has performed well.

    The gearbox noise is excessive, it rattles and clangs as if it's about to disintegrate. I haven't replaced the cheap Chinese spindle bearings, maybe the bearings are knackered.

    Stefan Gotteswinter ( the German toolmaker on utube) has the Optimum brand 45 machine, for some reason his machine is very quiet and smooth ( wish mine was so quiet ! ) , he has also fitted a NT30 splindle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSjLhEWY1Vg
    I bought an lathe. The AL336 for HF and I now know what noisy is. running flat bikkies I need to wear hearing protection....Luckily I don't need to run it flat bikkies too often

  10. #25
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Bundaberg QLD
    Posts
    42

    Default Well....I've gone and done it now!

    I bit the bullet and forked over my hard earned dollarydoos for my first mill.
    With a vice, rotary table with dividing plates and a clamping set plus delivery to our local depot I am just shy of $4800 poorer.
    I went with the Metex DM45 R8 "bare bones edition".
    I will be able to design and build up the mill how I want it to perform over time. I have seen some amazing YouTubers out there.

    I really like this guys YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7a...H2RKciAXzdOaJA for a person who can do a lot with little. his builds are inspiring for a beginner like me. Plus he is an Aussie slowly building his machinist empire LOL
    This bloke is amazing with what he can do on a mill and lathe in a shop the size of a large dog kennel LOL
    https://www.youtube.com/user/ade63dug
    I know there are heaps of great YouTube channels but these two are two of my favourites.

    I don't know if it is ok but I will try to make regular updates on this thread concerning the mill and the learning curve.

  11. #26
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Age
    56
    Posts
    1,416

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Sparkiekosten View Post
    I've been looking already
    Just look for a good deal on AliExpress, they are honestly just as good as each other with quality.
    eBay will bite you for more money for the same product and the Ali sellers send express.

    I know as my first miester 2x 3 axis DRO's with 7 scales cost me $2150 back in 2007.

    I have since bought many years ago a 4 and 5 axis HXX readouts and extra scales when they hit the market.
    I also had a Sino factory fitted on the mill from H&f in 2008 which was replaced with HXX 5 axis, and they are no different in quality or functions.

    I find the standard readouts hard to see sometimes with lights sun glare etc, where the new LCDs (though smaller) out now would be much better to see.

    For your mill I'd recommend 0.005mm standard size scales just like I run on my knee mill.
    No use chassing numbers your machine is ever going achieve with 0.001mm scales.

    Not putting your new mill down, but I haven't heard anyone fitting 0.001mm scales to a mill, so don't get sucked into the higher priced club where it will be more accurate if I fit these to my machine, as the machine won't hold that tolerance.

    For a better quality lathe, the crosslide could use 0.001mm scale as I have just done, as that is radius which turns into 0.002mm diameter, but the rest of them 0.005mm is as accurate as you will ever be.

    Sent from my 5007U using Tapatalk
    Using Tapatalk

  12. #27
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,439

    Default

    Hi Sparkiekosten,

    This thread might be of interest to you !

    https://metalworkforums.com/f65/t206308-dro-instalation

    Its one that I did for my mill, which is very similar to the one that you are buying.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  13. #28
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Bundaberg QLD
    Posts
    42

    Default Look what followed me home!

    It looked like it needed a good home!
    Photo one is my new mill but I spy something which I did not expect.
    A quill dro which has made my day.

    Photo two made my jaw drop. Can you see something special?
    I literally jumped for joy when I saw what was on the control panel.
    It came with a light already mounted on the mill. How good is that!

    Also it has a tapping function...…PFFT, who needs that?

    I was expecting it to arrive on Friday but I got a message Tuesday for pickup at the depot.

    I am very happy with the unboxing of the mill(so far). I ran outta time and have left it on the shipping crate for now. Not a mark anywhere and no damage of any kind to the box it was shipped in.
    I borrowed an engine hoist from a friend which allowed me to lift it of the back of my Ute and put on the garage floor.
    More to come!
    Edit: Sorry but one of the photos got turned on its side. It was upright when I uploaded it.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  14. #29
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Tamworth, NSW
    Posts
    202

    Default

    So….. how is the new mill going?

  15. #30
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    129

    Default Buying a mill.....Metex DM45

    +1

    I'm particularly interested to hear how quiet or noisy the mill is when in operation.

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