Thread: Help choosing a new/secondhand mill

Hello Simon and Matt,
You could (together) import a couple of mills from China (if I could do it,anyone can). You will find that you can get the mills with power table,power head and power quill, plus accessories for the cost of the basic mill in OZ.
Check out "Anhui Chizou Household Machine Tool Company"
Russell

Originally Posted by Greg Q

There is a mill just listed on ebay in Lilydale (no affiliation). It is ten times the mill for under $4K

Greg

That was a little freaky.... I had to look twice to make sure 'er indoors' hasn't been putting my stuff on Ebay! I started breathing again when I realised it had no DRO swinging off the side

And for anyone considering buying this, the motor will most likely need a spot of rewiring to run with a VFD. However, on mine the star point happened to be right under the end (at the top), so I could just tilt the head, and make the required mods with the motor still on the machine.

Also, the transformer in the side cabinet should have input terminals for 240v to get the powerfeed working.

Not going to make any bets on the coolant pump though, the switch is in a slightly different position to mine, makes me think they may not have been installed from the factory, in which case the pump may well be different too.

Originally Posted by Big Shed

Just to add another supplier to the mix, there is Asset Plant & Machinery in Dandenong, they have an extensive range of machinery, I bought my lathe from them. Again, service is excellent and although they are not the cheapest they will negotiate, or add in some free tooling.

This is a new mill they have added to the range

SM-MD45. Mill Drill. Steelmaster Geared Head Drive Mill Drill, Dovetail Guides, Digital Depth. - Asset Plant & Machinery

Then there is Applied Machinery in Dandenong

Drill/Mill

have seen them advertise on the net and on Machines4U, but haven't been there.

That's right I forgot about Asset Plant. However, the Maktec at Applied in Dandenong I have not seen before. I may go have a look. I bet the 45/46 mill/drill they sell is more than $2500 though! I'll ring them tomorrow. I'm keen to make a decision soon before the funding gets re-allocated by the minister for war and finance!

Cheers,

Simon

That Steelmaster looks pretty much identical to this one: MILLING MACHINE - DOVETAIL SHAFT » Paramount Browns' from ParamountBrowns, which might be easier to get through the SWMBO

Originally Posted by Big Shed

Just to add another supplier to the mix, there is Asset Plant & Machinery in Dandenong, they have an extensive range of machinery, I bought my lathe from them. Again, service is excellent and although they are not the cheapest they will negotiate, or add in some free tooling.

This is a new mill they have added to the range

SM-MD45. Mill Drill. Steelmaster Geared Head Drive Mill Drill, Dovetail Guides, Digital Depth. - Asset Plant & Machinery

Then there is Applied Machinery in Dandenong

Drill/Mill

have seen them advertise on the net and on Machines4U, but haven't been there.

The Mill/Drill from applied machinery is $3700 (incl GST).

Not sure if it's actually a superior product or just overpriced. I may take a look just to satisfy my curiosity. They are in Nissan Dve Dandenong.

Cheers,

Simon

eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d

That mill is a 45 series dovetail, looks like it will go for a decent price. Local to you too.

Originally Posted by takai

That Steelmaster looks pretty much identical to this one: MILLING MACHINE - DOVETAIL SHAFT » Paramount Browns' from ParamountBrowns, which might be easier to get through the SWMBO

Yes and I'm 90% convinced that it's the same machine as the TM45 by titan machinery too!

Titan sell the TM45 without the stand for about the same price as the Paramount Browns one too.

Originally Posted by takai

eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d

That mill is a 45 series dovetail, looks like it will go for a decent price. Local to you too.

20 minute drive from me!

I'm still kicking tyres at the moment though. I want to find out more about the Hercus model 0.

Simon

Originally Posted by rusty steel

Hello Simon and Matt,
You could (together) import a couple of mills from China (if I could do it,anyone can). You will find that you can get the mills with power table,power head and power quill, plus accessories for the cost of the basic mill in OZ.
Check out "Anhui Chizou Household Machine Tool Company"
Russell

Hi Rusty,

I'm very interested in this prospect. I have spent a good part of an hour looking at their web site and their mills. Tell me about your experience with dealing with them, getting the machinery here, the costs of transport and above all else, the quality of their products. Which model did you get? Is there a minimum quantity to order?

Hope you don't mind all the questions?

Cheers,

Simon

What jobs would you be doing on the Hercus.

Originally Posted by pipeclay

What jobs would you be doing on the Hercus.

Hi Pipeclay,

Well I'll answer like this:

I have a lathe that I inherited. I never got a say in what size, model or brand, but now I have one I am really enjoying the learning experience. Time to time a project presents itself that requires the use of a lathe. Now I also want to learn about milling and get in and dirty. So first and foremost I want to practise and learn. I'm sure once I learn about all it's capabilities there will be numerous projects that will present themselves to me. So, I figure that a 45 size mill should do all I will mostly want. Having said that, if I were to come across a smaller good quality secondhand mill then I would be inclined to forego the size in preference for quality.

Cheers,

Simon

Just take note as I think has been said previously the limitations that may be encounted with the Hercus in regards to size of workpiece,this is not only for the Hercus but for all of this type/size of universal mill.

Yes I have seen several posts mentioning the lack of headroom and references to machines that have been modified to create more room between the tool and the table....

Cheers,

Simon

I have the smaller Titan mill/drill and it is fine for what I use it for. Sometimes the titan machinery guy will put items on eBay and they may sell a bit cheaper. Just remember that a new item bought at auction doesn't have the same statuitary guarantee as the same item bought at a fixed price.