Thread: Making BXA QCTP holders

Originally Posted by Dave J

Hi Ueee,
I never had any problems with the HM52 machining them or anything else for that matter, I hogged out and faced with carbide and then used HSS to finish the V's. My mill stays put once set up and is rigid enough for it's size, maybe you have problems with the ways or locks, or have you checked the mating faces of the top of the column and head etc?
Saying that I would not want to be making them on a bench top mill or similar less rigid machine, it would take a long time.

Overall I am happy with the HM52, though I have done heaps of mods to improve it over the years. Pipeclay bought one last year and he seems happy with his as well.
As they say with Chinese machines, they are a type of kit that give you the basics, then you work on it from there.

Dave

Hi Dave,
I missed your post somehow, just saw it now.
I used to think the same thing, the HM50 did a good job etc.......but really when you put it up against a machine 3 times the weight and power you soon see its problems. The vernier can remove 3 times as much material and leave a better finish and do it faster. I'm not sure how my HM50 compares to the others out there, maybe it really is on the poor end of the scale. Have you used a bigger machine that you can compare to? The worst thing is even with all the work i had to do to the Vernier it still cost me half the price of the HM50.

Cheers
Ew