bench mill-drills

**jardyDIY** · 27th August 2011, 07:55 PM

handsomes!

ive got a bench lathe and having fun making lots of stuff with that, but there have been quite a few things ive wanted to make but couldnt without a mill. a long project ive been working on is nearing completion so im able to finally think about getting a decent mill

i dont really have the space or money for a proper mill so like the lathe i have, im looking for a bench mill drill. i dont think the jobs ive got in mind will be too difficult for a smaller machine - mostly working with aluminium, except for engine manifold flanges which will mostly be steel, they wont be thicker than 12mm or so though

i dont know a lot about milling, i know what they can do and be used for, but ive never actually used one myself. im not so sure about the various ways the head is moved about, or the general rigidity of the different kinds available, id be very glad of any advice anyone can help me out with

i got my lathe (sm029a) from asset and it hasnt failed me at all, and because im sort of a wanker id like to keep it in the family and go with steelmaster again for the mill

my budget is around 2k, not including a bench or tooling as i can work them out later. ive got my eye on a smmd40 (350 big ones

)
SM-MD40. Mill Drill. Steelmaster Geared Head Mill Drill. Digital Depth Display. - Asset Plant & Machinery

i dunno, but pretty sure the weight is going to be nice to have for accuracy, the way the head moves looks pretty rigid, the bed looks a touch small but i spose its only really to hold the work piece in place, i dont really care for the digital depth readout personally, but i noticed it has a power feed which is nice, but would there be other options better suited to a backyard hack?

i spend a fair bit of time making things, but im definitely no professional, is it a case of buy as big as you can afford with mill drills? or is there such a thing as spending too much for someone like me?

ill visit asset again soon, but thought it better to get some thoughts on what i need before talking to a salesman about such things if you know what i mean

not that i have any problem with garry! heh

thanks for reading

Dave J · 27th August 2011, 08:49 PM

Hi,
Your on the right track going with that size mill. I think you would be happier in the long run going for a dovetail column mill, as you don't loose your position when raising or lowering the head in the middle of a job. The trouble you have with a round column is as soon as you unlock it, it's free to move left and right. Some guys have gone to great lengths to make gadgets to stop this happening, but they are not 100% successful.
Even the Assett add states this on their dovetail mill add "The latest addition to our line of milling/drilling machines sports a dovetail column. Simply unlock and wind the head up and down for tool changes or clearance"

Saying that, some guys are absolutely happy with there round column mills as the head can be swung over to do longer jobs.

I know you want to stick to Assett, but this is the one I would recommend
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pr...stockCode=M123
Power feeds can be bought on ebay from the US for around $400 to suit.
Their special weekend will be coming up soon and they have package deals on these with tooling.

The Assetts one is the same but more expensive, Morse and taper 4 is a bit of an odd ball size as well which is in both the one you are looking at and this one. This one does have a bigger table than the H&F's one at 800x240mm instead of 730x210mm
SM-MD45. Mill Drill. Steelmaster Geared Head Drive Mill Drill, Dovetail Guides, Digital Depth. - Asset Plant & Machinery

A bit more expensive than what you are prepared to pay, (but will in the long run with the accessories) is H&F's larger HM50 on special at the moment for $3289, which comes with coolant, power feed, vice, drill chuck and arbour, 8 piece collet set, 2 and 3 MT adapters, halogen light and is a lot more rigid weighing 850kg, so when you add all these accessories up for you bench top one it's a good deal and ready to go as it doesn't need a stand.
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pr...tockCode=M1605

A lot of members here have the HM50-52 and they are a rigid machine.

Dave

**jardyDIY** · 28th August 2011, 11:14 AM

nice one, exactly the advice i was hoping for. id guessed the round column wouldnt pivot left and right but there you go. i can imagine thatd get annoying after a while, ill stick to the column mill instead

that turret mill is nice, and you're right by the time i go for stuff like coolant, a vice, collets etc id be up and over 3k with the smaller mill, but it is a fair bit out of the price range for now

ive got some more to think about

**morrisman** · 28th August 2011, 12:33 PM

A few of the forum members have good things to say about Standaco

Lathes, Drill Mills, Lock type vices, Bandsaw

I've used a milling machine at TAFE , but still a beginner . TAFE had many milling machines in various sizes ... large buggers to CNC . My limited experience seems to say power feed is a great thing to have . For around 2k you will find a good machine .

MIKE

**jardyDIY** · 28th August 2011, 05:23 PM

sweet, i didnt know about standaco

ill swing in there on the way to h&f/asset

thanks chaps

very helpful

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