Harbor freight milling machine
- Thread starter JoelD
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wdchyd
Elite Member
R8 collets are universal to milling machine attachments:
Boring heads
Drill chuck
End Mill holders
Fly Cutters
Much more adaptable, larger range in size, cheaper to buy tooling with R8, I would never buy (or take free) a mill without R8......
Notice that ad for the old bridgeport mill mentions it does not have R8 collets.....Pity the fool who buys it......:confused2:
Boring heads
Drill chuck
End Mill holders
Fly Cutters
Much more adaptable, larger range in size, cheaper to buy tooling with R8, I would never buy (or take free) a mill without R8......
Notice that ad for the old bridgeport mill mentions it does not have R8 collets.....Pity the fool who buys it......:confused2:
wdchyd
Elite Member
Actually was offered one for free couple years ago and left it right where I saw it.......wasn't worth the cost of transportation or the real estate it'll use up while collecting dust.....:laughing:
Rayrla
Silver Member
If you find a well maintained used lathe or mill that is three phase, dont let the three phase stop you from purchasing. Last year found a nice three phase lathe and for approximately $125 I was able to buy a variable frequency driver(VFD) to convert 220 single phase to 220 three phase to power the lathe. Wiring was not difficult, but programming required assistance from seller. Most VFD manuals lack sufficient programming instructions. VFD also allows you to run your lathe or mill at variable speeds, especially nice with a mill. Lots of info on the internet on VFDS.
troutsqueezer
Veteran Member
You would do well to research on one of the home machinist forums. This sort of thing is discussed all the time. I belong to this one: Home Model Engine Machinist - Index
Here is another: The Home Shop Machinist & Machinist's Workshop Magazine's BBS - Powered by vBulletin
It has close to 90,000 members.
As mentioned, the combo machines are frowned upon. Mostly because of the setting up and tearing down required as you go between the mill and the lathe.
As for Harbor Freight machines, they are made by a Chinese company called Seig and they sell to Grizzly, Micro Mark, Enco and a bunch of other companies who paint them different colors and put their own name on them. No they are not Bridgeports but they do allow the rest of us to afford to get into the hobby. There are many many first class model engines and such built with these machines. Most of them need a few simple mods to bring them up to snuff. This is all documented in the machinist forums and Yahoo groups.
A blanket statement like "All Harbor Freight stuff is crap" illustrates a lack of understanding and familiarity with the various products. I own both the Harbor Freight mini lathe and mini mill. Here is one of the small steam engines I have built with it.
And a link to the video:
YouTube - Trout's Twin (2)
Here is another: The Home Shop Machinist & Machinist's Workshop Magazine's BBS - Powered by vBulletin
It has close to 90,000 members.
As mentioned, the combo machines are frowned upon. Mostly because of the setting up and tearing down required as you go between the mill and the lathe.
As for Harbor Freight machines, they are made by a Chinese company called Seig and they sell to Grizzly, Micro Mark, Enco and a bunch of other companies who paint them different colors and put their own name on them. No they are not Bridgeports but they do allow the rest of us to afford to get into the hobby. There are many many first class model engines and such built with these machines. Most of them need a few simple mods to bring them up to snuff. This is all documented in the machinist forums and Yahoo groups.
A blanket statement like "All Harbor Freight stuff is crap" illustrates a lack of understanding and familiarity with the various products. I own both the Harbor Freight mini lathe and mini mill. Here is one of the small steam engines I have built with it.
And a link to the video:
YouTube - Trout's Twin (2)
BHD
Veteran Member
when I first got my mill, that was three phase, I use a simple static converter, and used it for nearly 15 years, before I got three phase in the shop,
one can either go with a rotary converter or a static for some thing like a mill, as it does not start under load,
for some thing that starts under load will need a rotary converter, (for example a compressor)
one can either go with a rotary converter or a static for some thing like a mill, as it does not start under load,
for some thing that starts under load will need a rotary converter, (for example a compressor)
Milton Burro
Silver Member
Troutsqueezer, that's funny. Good video. You must have loads of free time.
kennyd
Advertiser
I agree 100% on the R8 spindle, but not on the 3 phase option. Any 3PH machine tool under 3 HP can easliy be powered with a VFD, and the money you save buying the tool up front will pay for the VFD because so many people are scared of 3 phase.
The VFD for my 1 HP lathe was only $120 a few years ago.
hr3
Veteran Member
Agree with Kenny.. We have done it many times on wharfs and in small shops and VFD's are very reliable..
OP
JoelD
Veteran Member
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Again thank you guys!!
I really appreciate all the advice!
I am not afraid of 3phase if others have sorted out and I'll google on vfd
I'd really like to be able to make some of my own parts as we run into old machines all the time and parts are not available in some instances
I'll also look for some classes any suggestions? Is this something I can find at a community college or the like for example maybe a general course.
Joel
I really appreciate all the advice!
I am not afraid of 3phase if others have sorted out and I'll google on vfd
I'd really like to be able to make some of my own parts as we run into old machines all the time and parts are not available in some instances
I'll also look for some classes any suggestions? Is this something I can find at a community college or the like for example maybe a general course.
Joel
