A Bridgeport is better for sure, but more $$ overall. The rotary phase converter you need to run it will be an added cost above the machine cost.
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That 6-jaw chuck fabrication video was AWESOME... thanks for sharing!! I wish I was smart enough to be a machinistMy two cents. Get a Bridgeport. There is a reason they are so popular. You can make anything on one. The more you get into metal working, the larger, heavier, more rigid, and more capacity you will need/want. I stall the BP all the time on steel, so I am looking for a VMC. Get a lathe and you're unstopable.
I'll let you know... It's going to be a while.Let me know when you decide to get rid of the Bridgeport; shipping has always been the major sticking point for all my finds...
I've not head that phrase in years. Used it on job sites for many years.A poor carpenter blames his tools.
I spent my apprenticeship in a machine shop that made the first US made ER collets; I know them well. They were originally designed to be used in ISO toolholders and they are very solid. We used to refit Bridgeports to use the ISO 30 and ER32 system. I think we may have had as many as 15 mills in the shop and none had R8 spindles; the shop made wind tunnel test models for the USAF, so that'll tell you how good the system is.Not. hijack at all. @CruizerHound How soon would you be getting rid of the Bridgeport? I think that would be too much machine for me. If I need to do bigger stuff, I know where @GLTHFJ60 lives, LOLOL. And @Malleus isnt a world away either.
Im trying to stay away from a round column mill, just because of the issues people have keeping them in alignment. I dont think I would need a tilting head for angled drilling, and understand the pros and cons of both.
These are what I'm leaning towards. Black Friday deal would have it sitting in my driveway for a little over 1800. it made by sieg, to a slightly different spec than their other branded products (grain of salt taken, big grains of salt on the margarita glass.)
Microlux R8 mega package
Mega Mini R8 Milling Machine Super Value Package
DetailsOur Mega Mini R8 Milling Machine Super Value Package Has Everything You Need to Start Your Own Mini Machine Shop Only “True Inch” machine on the market, .50 inch-per-turn table feed screwsPowerful brushless 500W motor with more torqueIncludes our best-selling accessories: digital speed...www.micromark.com
Also, same mill without the tooling bundle.
MicroLux® High Precision Heavy Duty R8 Miniature Milling Machine
Details MicroLux® High-Precision Heavy-Duty R8 Miniature Milling Machine. Powerful brushless 500W motor with more torque Only “True Inch” machine on the market, .50 inch-per-turn table feed screws Tilting column and belt-driven spindle Many accessories are available to provide enhanced features...www.micromark.com
And this from little machine shop. has dro built in. would also need tooling.
Others in the running. Same machine, optioned differently. Both would need tooling as well. LMS has Sieg build to their specifications, and they supposedly assemble and make sure they are operable and square.
With DRO
HiTorque Mini Mill for Sale | Mini Milling Machine for Sale
This HiTorque Mini Mill features a 3-axis DRO and interlocked spindle lock. Shop this mini milling machine for sale online at LIttleMachineShop today!littlemachineshop.com
Without DRO
HiTorque Mini Mill | Mini Mill Machine | LittleMachineShop
This HiTorque Mini Mill features the largest table and X-Y travel in its class. Shop this quiet, powerful Mini Mill machine at LittleMachineShop today!littlemachineshop.com
Two of LMS's smaller machines, more in line with the Sherline products.
MT2
HiTorque Micro Mill | Micro Milling Machine for Sale
This HiTorque Micro Mill is the most powerful mill in its class. Shop this 250 watt micro milling machine for sale at LittleMachineShop today!littlemachineshop.com
And a scratch/dent/demo of the same unit, in er-16. Price on this is 700
HiTorque Micro Mill, ER-16 Spindle 4660
This micro milling machine has the most power, most torque, and a larger table than other mills in its class. Shop this HiTorque mill for sale today!littlemachineshop.com
LMS's tooling bundles are a little higher quality (at least in appearance).
If I had to choose between powerfeed and DRO, it wouldn't be the DRO.Now it becomes the decision on which R8 machine. The Microlux or the LMS. R8 offerings. The microlux optioned one has the feed, but the optioned LMS has DRO and an interlocked head.
And to just get stupid, the reserve was just lifted on that Bridgeport here in Greensboro. That would be my luck, I buy one of these, and then end up with the winning big on that monster. LOL
That is the direction I'm leaning towards as well.If I had to choose between powerfeed and DRO, it wouldn't be the DRO.
Don’t let it hear you say that.I probably should have gone with the non-dro LMS HiTotrque, 3990,
I'm gonna be checking every inch of it as the pieces come out of the boxes. If something doesn't look kosher, it's going back. LOLDon’t let it hear you say that.