Vertical Mill

Hi

Just wondering if anyone has used one of these vertical mill slides that attach to the lathe and what they though about it?

https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pr...stockCode=L277

Cheers

Fil

Fil
Here is a link to a Aussie bloke that has installed one and seems happy with it.
http://users.picknowl.com.au/~gloaming_agnet/mill.html
Dave

Cheers for that. Looks like about 20mins of setup to put it on and then 20mins of setup to reset the lathe to its normal function. Think I might just buy a real mill :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Filby

Cheers for that. Looks like about 20mins of setup to put it on and then 20mins of setup to reset the lathe to its normal function. Think I might just buy a real mill :)

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In the end it will be worth it, milling on the lathe is possible but very restricted compared to a "real" mill. The rigidity, degrees of movement and workholding are far less on the lathe adapter and you don't have the ability to use rotary tables etc.

Even if you end up with one of the round-column mill/drills like I have it's still a quantum leap above the lathe adapter alternative. Not as good as a full size Bridgeport or clone but still very useful.

Yes I agree I think with a bit of bargain hunting you could get a new one for around $1600.I know an old machinist who has one for years and is happy with it and said if was to sell it he would still want $1000 dollars for it as it was a good mill.
I went through the same exercise a few years ago. I started looking at the Round coloum mill $1500 then looked at the HM45 $2200. Then I thought I would pay the extra and get the HM50 because it included a vise ,coolant,powerfeed,collets etc for $3500. Ended up getting the HM52 because it had horizontal milling as well as the accessories for $4200.These prices are the old ones that were affordable, my same mill now is $5445.
Dave

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dave J

Ended up getting the HM52 because it had horizontal milling as well as the accessories for $4200.These prices are the old ones that were affordable, my same mill now is $5445.
Dave

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Without wishing to hijack the thread, Dave, what's your experience with the HM52 mill, I nabbed a round column mill drill in good nick for $200 a couple of years ago and it's served me very well but I'm looking at moving up to a knee mill, keeping the old one as a drill press and pensioning off my 60 year old drill press.

Gavin,(you type quick)
I don't have time now, but I will PM you about the HM52 a bit latter. I will tell you that the only one I would buy at the moment is the Hm52B which includes a digital read out.
Dave

Thanks Dave, no rush...

What about the mini mills like the X2?