Rich Griff Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 My birthday is in a few months... In the past I have had access to machine shop equipment. I have a lathe ( two actually ) but not a milling machine. I have lots of jobs that would be easy on a milling machine... Bmfa mag advert ( and threads on here ) has relit that fire and the milling jam jar is filling, but slowly. Proxxon milling machines, anyone on here using one and are they any good ? I only need to do light duty stuff, but with steel/cast iron/brass/bronze, as well as Ali. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Griff Posted January 29, 2022 Author Share Posted January 29, 2022 Correction, proxxon ad seen in rcme ( I haven't read that from cover to cover yet either ) mag, doh ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Colbourne Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 The smaller milling machines are fine for drilling, but when it comes to milling, a lot lack the rigidity to get a decent finish. Have a look on the Model Engineer forum for their experiences: Model Engineer Forums - Proxxon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Griff Posted January 29, 2022 Author Share Posted January 29, 2022 Thanks robin, wilco....suspect I'm gunna need 5 jam jars ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Colbourne Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 1 hour ago, Rich Griff said: Thanks robin, wilco....suspect I'm gunna need 5 jam jars ! Rich, sadly that's usually the case once you delve deeper! If you buy a good used milling machine and look after it, you will probably get the majority of your money back when you sell. I recently helped a friend get a Centec 2A milling machine, which does horizontal and vertical milling, plus a Boxford AUD lathe. He had just retired and having had access to lathes and mills throughout his working life, he wanted one of each at home. The machines had been bought by an also recently retired chap taking up model engineering, who sadly died soon after getting them. Neither machine was new by a long way (1960s/70s), but both were in excellent condition (except the mill needed a new traverse motor which we already knew). My friend intends to fit digital readouts (DROs) to both machines, so the machine being metric or imperial isn't an issue. By buying secondhand, there's a good chance you will get the machine plus all the tooling, which can add a lot on if you buy a new machine. Plus, if you read about the Chinese ones, any attempt to improve them is generally attempting to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. If you join your local model engineering society you will most probably hear about estate sales and people selling to upgrade etc. Beware when looking online, there are a lot of ex-factory machines around that have been 'serviced' with little more than a pot of paint, so don't go too much by first impressions. Get someone who knows a worn machine when they see it to take a look, even if you have to pay them for their time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Colbourne Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 Rich, If you haven't already looked there, Lathes.co.uk has detailed info and history on Milling machines (going back to the year dot) too, plus classified ads. For instance, this is the entry about the compnay that made my friend's mill Lathes.co.uk -Centec 2A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Chaddock Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 Rich You could look at the Dore Westbury milling machine which was specifically designed for model engineering use. It can be built from a kit of parts using just a ML7 as the bigger castings are pre machined. Lathes and Co have all the details. My dad built one of the first. which I still have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Griff Posted January 29, 2022 Author Share Posted January 29, 2022 That 70 proxxon would easily do the first job, a 3mm screw sheared off ( not by me ) in a "tower" in a bike carb, quite recessed, so mig method ( 3 others removed, made washer to protect carb, weld washer to proud remains, weld tapered bolt to washer, as much heat as I dare, patience patience patience and a few please god's, they came out, well corroded in which is why they sheared ) not an option. Machine not big enough to take a cylinder head ( twin 4t ) to machine a butchered ( again not by me ) valve guide so I can make driver/extracted. Other milling jobs on a ( I think ) model De Winston stationery steam engine, ( De Winston, caernarfon, similar engine in Glyn Llifon, caernarfon area, fed dibna ). Carb job has no room what so ever for any inaccuracy... I can dream, which is ironic as the bike is a wet one, 400cc. I will keep researching. If allowed we may be going Guildford way this summer, seen a Warco sign on that route, if still no mill, will call in. Anyone like some RC boats, pm me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff2wings Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 (edited) Remember that it's possible to do a small job on a big machine, not the other way round, in my case a Warco WM 18 fits the bill Edited January 29, 2022 by jeff2wings Wrong files Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted January 30, 2022 Share Posted January 30, 2022 Some nice stuff there on the Warco site, but I couldn't find a combined small lathe /milling machine, and a lot of it sold out,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Griff Posted January 30, 2022 Author Share Posted January 30, 2022 (edited) Wm18, £2k,academic for me whether it's plus vat, not checked. Would need new shed to house that, meaning new house, meaning a lottery winner needed ! Your machine, CNC ? Nice anyway. I will struggle on with the lathes...listening to classic FM... Need a stout bit of angle iron to mount carb, then mount in chuck, 4 jaw so can centralise dead on. No room for error. Will also have to get a 2, and 4mm left hand drill else screw remains could end up being driven to the bottom of the hole. Great risk of lh drill breaking if screw decides to unscrew. Used end mill to remove the deeply recess float chamber screw, worked a treat with pillar drill. Just this last troublesome screw to sort out on the carbs. Superdreams, nightmares more like. Sorry about language... Edited January 30, 2022 by Martin Harris - Moderator Removed swear words - don’t be sorry, just don’t use them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Griff Posted January 30, 2022 Author Share Posted January 30, 2022 (edited) 6mm bolt, 3mm screw remains...inch square 18 gauge "washer"... Edited January 30, 2022 by Rich Griff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted January 30, 2022 Share Posted January 30, 2022 Rich your posts are a complete puzzle to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted January 30, 2022 Share Posted January 30, 2022 I bit the bullet and bought a Draper Mini Mill 350W. Forget the Proxon its a micro mill and its too small. Do your research as most mini Mills are from the same factory in China but price varies tremendously. Mine cost just under £700 delivered. Same machine possible with different name and colour over £1100 !!. So shop around. Also be careful as some Chinese Internet sites offer these machines for £150 ish ! But you will pay nearly £500 shipping plus VAT. Very pleased with performance so far . A little noisy due to geartrain but vibration free . Main construction is cast iron with good finish on the ways. It weighs around 60 Kg so eat two shredded wheat before you unpack and lift onto bench. Delivered on a small pallet in a sturdy wooden case. Like all budget machines don't expect the quality of the big names but for modelling and most auto part repairs its a capable little machine provided you don't overload it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Griff Posted January 30, 2022 Author Share Posted January 30, 2022 Puzzle ? DOH, yes I understand now ! ? Ed, please could you post a picture of your chosen machine and info so I can research your choice please. Much appreciated. My only real option is a bench mounted unit. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted January 30, 2022 Share Posted January 30, 2022 (edited) Draper model no 34023 from Rapidonline.com they are based in Colchester Essex. They were the best price , easy to deal with and quick delivery via courier. You can do a Google search for " bench top Mills " and you will see that most are the same machines with wildly differing prices. There is a new model out now with belt drive and brushless motor . Quieter running and more power but costs about £50 to £75 more. Having said that the model I have seems to have plenty of power for what I'm doing . Edited January 30, 2022 by Engine Doctor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Colbourne Posted January 30, 2022 Share Posted January 30, 2022 Rich, Would this be adequate for your needs? Compumill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Griff Posted January 30, 2022 Author Share Posted January 30, 2022 Will have to measure up, pick up only from Marlborough, a good hike from north Wales but price is good I think....thanks for the heads up.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted January 30, 2022 Share Posted January 30, 2022 (edited) Take your love interest, night in ( bed of choosing), perhaps a tourist diversion, and it so happens that machine happens to end up in the boot. A handbag perhaps on the return trip, and love interest thinks you are right nice, with a mill. Edited January 30, 2022 by Don Fry Edited for gender neutral post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin b Posted January 30, 2022 Share Posted January 30, 2022 2 hours ago, Don Fry said: Take your love interest, night in ( bed of choosing), perhaps a tourist diversion, and it so happens that machine happens to end up in the boot. A handbag perhaps on the return trip, and love interest thinks you are right nice, with a mill. I don't take my transmitter on shopping trips. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Colbourne Posted January 30, 2022 Share Posted January 30, 2022 Don, if only it were that easy! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Griff Posted January 31, 2022 Author Share Posted January 31, 2022 Lol ? I already have house chores, washing up being one of them. She cooks, I wash up. That's the same for every married couple ? Anyways, still researching/looking for a milling machine which must be able to accommodate the valve guide job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Davies 3 Posted January 31, 2022 Share Posted January 31, 2022 17 hours ago, Engine Doctor said: Draper model no 34023 from Rapidonline.com they are based in Colchester Essex. They were the best price , easy to deal with and quick delivery via courier. You can do a Google search for " bench top Mills " and you will see that most are the same machines with wildly differing prices. There is a new model out now with belt drive and brushless motor . Quieter running and more power but costs about £50 to £75 more. Having said that the model I have seems to have plenty of power for what I'm doing . Hi ED, I work for Raoidonline; glad we could be of service! If there is any part of the range we are missing, let me know and I will see if we can bring it in. Graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted January 31, 2022 Share Posted January 31, 2022 Hi Graham . An affordable rotary table fitted with a 4 jaw chuck suitable for the Draper would be good ?. ED Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Davies 3 Posted January 31, 2022 Share Posted January 31, 2022 2 hours ago, Engine Doctor said: Hi Graham . An affordable rotary table fitted with a 4 jaw chuck suitable for the Draper would be good ?. ED See what we can do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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