bench top mill recommendations

[BTL-A4]

I'm looking for a bench top milling machine. Saw a SIEG X2D for $600 on sale. A starter kit adds about $100.
I've heard these are the same as Harbor Freight, but that this company makes most of the small mills out there.

I'd consider used, but would like to know brands to look for. I'm looking on Craigslist, but nothing in my range is available at the moment. I'll keep looking of course, but thought I'd post and see what the GJ crowd has to say.

I'd like to spend no more than $500 for everything.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

What are going to do with it? Steel, aluminum, plastic?....

 

[BTL-A4]

What are going to do with it? Steel, aluminum, plastic?....

All of the above, plus wood. I'm looking for a general purpose one. Needs to be adjustable speed, so the HF one is a no-go.

 

[D45]

Craigslist, I was close to buying a smaller bench top mill a few weeks ago for $350

 

[Aaron_W]

Sieg makes a lot of the small mills and lathes, then re-badges them for various sellers. Despite being the same machine there can be a difference between brands, as some specify better quality control than others.

You don't mention size, but if you are talking about a Seig, assume a mini-mill.

$500 budget limits you pretty much to the used market. Even if you get one on sale for that price, you are still looking at tooling which will add at least a few hundred more, $1000 is a more realistic budget.

I bought a Sherline 5400 mill last year. The mill was $900, I've probably spent another $600 on tooling, and there is still more stuff I want to add.

Taig and Sherline offer small mills and lathes, and are made in the USA. Taig offers some assemble yourself kits which can save you some money. Sherline is down the road from you a couple of hours in Vista, CA.


Little machine shop offers several small Chinese mills and lathes.


https://sherline.com/

http://www.taigtools.com/mlathe.html

https://littlemachineshop.com/


There is also this site which has a lot of detail about the Seig machines, although looks like it hasn't been updated in a few years.

http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_mill/Main/mini-mill.htm



The Sherline machines are very high quality, but small. They do offer honest out of the box and start working right now capability with very good accuracy. I was running my lathe within hours of putting it together.

Many of the Chinese mini-machines can be good machines but often require a certain amount of adjustment and tweaking to get good accuracy.

Taig is more of a kit machine. People who want to do a lot of customizing of the machine seem to like them.

 

[Bob P1]

I'd be patient, don't by a harbor freight or china machine. There is a lot of quality stuff out there, and paying a little more up front is always better then regretting.

 

[kelpaso1]

I bought a Sherline 5400 mill last year. The mill was $900, I've probably spent another $600 on tooling, and there is still more stuff I want to add.

Taig and Sherline offer small mills and lathes, and are made in the USA. Taig offers some assemble yourself kits which can save you some money. Sherline is down the road from you a couple of hours in Vista, CA.

While I agree, they are pretty good (owned both), but they are only good for small hobby projects, like cannons, mini engines, etc, but, I don't think that's what the OP is looking for.

 

[jimreed2160]

I bought one of the Sieg mills from HF about 20 years ago. It accepts R-8 tooling and has held up well. Best machine purchase I have ever made. That little mill made me lots of money. I used carbide cutters on O-1 tool steel and brass.

Good luck in your search.

 

[Aaron_W]

While I agree, they are pretty good (owned both), but they are only good for small hobby projects, like cannons, mini engines, etc, but, I don't think that's what the OP is looking for.

I did mention it was small.

The Sieg X2D in his first post isn't much larger so I figured it was worth mentioning.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you are seriously considering a mini-mill, but the Little Machine Shop HiTorque 3990. It might come out the the same factory as the Sieg, but it is built to different specs and has some well thought out extras. IMHO, worth the extra $$$.

One big issue with the mini-mills is lack to Z-axis height. Once you add a machiniest vice and some parallels, you have lost a lot.

 

[ptschram]

How many used mill/drills do you really see?

I hunted for one for 20+ years and it seems everyone I know who has a small mill,has a list of,guys wanting to buy it as soon as things get rough for the guy with the mill

I finally found an HF knee mill and didn't waste a second going to get it.

If you have a need for one, buy what you can afford, knowing you won't have a problem unloading it when you no longer need it

 

[Aaron_W]

How many used mill/drills do you really see?

I hunted for one for 20+ years and it seems everyone I know who has a small mill,has a list of,guys wanting to buy it as soon as things get rough for the guy with the mill

I finally found an HF knee mill and didn't waste a second going to get it.

If you have a need for one, buy what you can afford, knowing you won't have a problem unloading it when you no longer need it

They are out there, but finding a really good deal isn't easy. I've seen people find a deal, but I never did when I was looking.

It took me about 2 years to settle on a mini-lathe. Like the OP my budget was around $500. The problem I found was looking for used to fit my budget, I was either looking at something fairly old (although often little used, but how well cared for was it?) or it wasn't really saving me that much compared to new.

The prices new don't leave a lot of room for an owner to sell a good used mini-lathe or mill without practically giving it away, so most seem to hold on to them as they can be handier than a larger machine for doing small work. Mini-machines are rarely used commercially, so you don't find them at equipment auctions like the larger machines.

If you paid $1000 for the machine and tooling, you aren't going to be quick to sell it for 50% of what you paid. At 80% a buyer is only $200 away from a new machine so unless you are positive the machine is in great shape why not buy new?

The best deals seem to come out of an estate where the family is just pricing stuff to get rid of it. When they do get priced cheap they go fast.

 

[royesses]

The HF/Sieg mini mills are continuously variable speed machines (0 to 2500 rpm). I've done lots of modifications to my HF which is a Sieg X2. If you use a 20% off coupon you can get in under $500 and be able to purchase a vise and some tooling. The R8 version is best. Tooling can cost 3 times what the machine costs. The LMS machines have many upgrades and are worth it if the money is in your ballpark. If they fit your size requirements the mini mills are a good deal.
Roy

 

[theoldwizard1]

The LMS machines have many upgrades and are worth it if the money is in your ballpark. If they fit your size requirements the mini mills are a good deal.

How are they at machining steel ?

Does tool pressure cause inaccuracy of the cut ?

 

[theoldwizard1]

One last tip that I picked up when I was researching such a purchase.

Stay away from any mills that does not have a FIXED COLUMN AND HEAD ! That means NO drill/mills ! Those style machine are a ***** to "tram in" an don't seem to hold position well.

 

[BTL-A4]

Thanks for the advice everyone. A quick perusal of craigslist didn't turn up much, and the prices were close to what the new ones cost. I've also looked in the classifieds on this site. Same story. I'll keep looking. I don't need one right away.

I'd post in in the Wanted section, but I need to get up to 100 posts!

I want a smaller one because I don't have room for a bigger one. I'd like the biggest small one I can get.

Little Machine Shop looks awesome. I live in SoCal so I can easily go there. They don't have a store, but you can buy stuff and get demos if you call ahead.

 

[BTL-A4]

The HF/Sieg mini mills are continuously variable speed machines (0 to 2500 rpm). I've done lots of modifications to my HF which is a Sieg X2. If you use a 20% off coupon you can get in under $500 and be able to purchase a vise and some tooling. The R8 version is best. Tooling can cost 3 times what the machine costs. The LMS machines have many upgrades and are worth it if the money is in your ballpark. If they fit your size requirements the mini mills are a good deal.
Roy

Roy:
Not sure I want to go with the HF one since the website states it's a 2 speed. Did you modify yours some way or was yours variable speed? The Seig's come in variable speeds, which I prefer since I'll be cutting a variety of materials.

 

[FMC1959]

Roy:
Not sure I want to go with the HF one since the website states it's a 2 speed. Did you modify yours some way or was yours variable speed? The Seig's come in variable speeds, which I prefer since I'll be cutting a variety of materials.

It is 2 speed variable...

"Drill, mill and cut slots, grooves and small parts with this powerful mini mill. A durable cast iron body and base help reduce vibration and deliver superior results. Two speed ranges, 0 to 1100 RPM and 0 to 2500 RPM, for working with a variety of materials and degrees of thickness"

 

[royesses]

Roy:
Not sure I want to go with the HF one since the website states it's a 2 speed. Did you modify yours some way or was yours variable speed? The Seig's come in variable speeds, which I prefer since I'll be cutting a variety of materials.

The HF has a variable speed dc motor with a 2 speed gearbox. Low and high are continuously variable from 0 to max. The 2 speed refers to the gearbox. I did put in an LMS belt drive kit and air spring kit.

The HF is a tilting column mill and is not as rigid as the LMS fixed column machines. I cut 4130, 1018, 12L14 and other steels with mine. These are little machines and require small depth of cuts and are slow compared to a full size machine. As with any tool you must be aware of the machines capabilities. You need to spend time tuning and tweaking them since the manufacturer saves money by cutting corners. If you like to tinker with machines you will enjoy this.

This is not a replacement for a Bridgeport. They are for hobby work.

Roy

 

[BTL-A4]

I read the descriptions more carefully and see that the HF is variable speed. I'll have to go look at it, but for just a bit more, I could get a better one.

I also have to factor in my budget tooling and a vice to get started. I'm checking craigslist and ebay and this site.

Thanks to all for your help and advice. Let me know if anything else comes up.