Hobby-Machinist from NY

[Nelson58]

Hi, I'm Nelson, and I enjoy the ideas for organizing a shop that I find on this site very much. I have some metalworking machines, a SB lathe, and two milling machines that I have in my small basement shop, and the ideas for getting a lot of things into a small space and keeping them organized are of great use to me.

Thanks, and keep up the great work!


Nelson

 

[Call me the Breeze]

Welcome allthumbz... Tons of information on here along with a bunch of great people!

 

[rsanter]

welcome aboard

Im a home shop machinist myself

bob

 

[Wingnut65]

Welcome to GJ, Nelson. Sounds like you have a lot of info and knowledge that will be helpful around here. Feel free to jump right in!

 

[shopnut]

Welcome Nelson. I will be checking out your Machinist website shortly.

The only metal-working machine I have right now is a 12" Atlas lathe but would love to add a small milling machine to my list. I would love to get an old Bridgeport, but it is probably overkill for my various bike project and such. Any recommendations for a decent used vertical mill for smaller parts? A benchtop style would probably suffice.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Falcon67]

Welcome. I keep the links handy for some HSM boards as well. Have a 9x20 and a decent Griz square column mill/drill.

 

[Nelson58]

Welcome Nelson. I will be checking out your Machinist website shortly.

The only metal-working machine I have right now is a 12" Atlas lathe but would love to add a small milling machine to my list. I would love to get an old Bridgeport, but it is probably overkill for my various bike project and such. Any recommendations for a decent used vertical mill for smaller parts? A benchtop style would probably suffice.

Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the warm welcome guys!

shopnut, for a small vertical, I would say try finding a Hardinge UM or Clausing 8520 used. The Clausings are popular, so they don't go cheap.
These are nice sized machines for a home shop though.


Nelson

 

[shopnut]

shopnut, for a small vertical, I would say try finding a Hardinge UM or Clausing 8520 used. The Clausings are popular, so they don't go cheap.
These are nice sized machines for a home shop though.

Nelson

Thanks Nelson - I'm on the hunt!

 

[flybefree]

Shopnut...since when do you defer out or concern for overkill? Bridgeport or bust!

Oh, welcome Nelson.

Shaun

 

[shopnut]

Shopnut...since when do you defer out or concern for overkill? Bridgeport or bust!

Oh, welcome Nelson.

Shaun

It may not seem like it, but I'm pretty frugal with my hard-earned money and search REALLY hard for deals to make it stretch as far as possible.

I would love a Bridgeport and could kick myself for letting one go at work a couple years back (could have been had for $800!!!!!! with lots of tooling!!!!), but I thought the auction was going to take it way out of my price range and didn't even go.

Since I will probably have only 4 or 5 special jobs per year to do on it, I simply want a mill that doesn't take much space and can be moved relatively easy if needed.

Terribly sorry for the thread interruption, Nelson.

 

[fatboy99]

I used to belong to your site but since I didn't post up my introduction up fast enough I was banned!! Oh well your loss .

 

[Nelson58]

I would love a Bridgeport and could kick myself for letting one go at work a couple years back (could have been had for $800!!!!!! with lots of tooling!!!!), but I thought the auction was going to take it way out of my price range and didn't even go.

Since I will probably have only 4 or 5 special jobs per year to do on it, I simply want a mill that doesn't take much space and can be moved relatively easy if needed.

Terribly sorry for the thread interruption, Nelson.

$800 for a Bridgeport is awesome, however, it really does not fit your last paragraph of not taking up too much space and being moved easily if needed. The machines I suggested do fit that protocol, along with a Burke #4, which is a nice mill for its size (I do own one).

Check on Craig's and you will find these from time to time.

Nelson

 

[Nelson58]

I neglected to mention that I can really use some help in wiring my shop area and organizing the wiring for my machines. I will check out the electrical area.

Nelson

 

[Average Joe]

$800 for a Bridgeport is awesome, however, it really does not fit your last paragraph of not taking up too much space and being moved easily if needed. The machines I suggested do fit that protocol, along with a Burke #4, which is a nice mill for its size (I do own one).

Check on Craig's and you will find these from time to time.

Nelson

I recently bought a 42" series 2 Bridgeport myself, like you wanting something that is smaller and portable was also in my plan. I did get one for $800 and a 3 piece Kennedy tool box stack full of tooling for free!!!! I figured I could get over my greedy nature and give a little on my wants in leu of the great deal. In order to make it more portable I built a 2 wheeled dolly the mill sets in so one man can move it...kinda sorta easy. Bridgeport's are out there for under $1000, you just have to look and be quick on the draw when you find it. I just bought mine 4 weeks ago (just so you dont think I paid $800 20 years ago or something).
The other big deciding factor was that a small bench top mill, Chinese made, questionable quality and limited capabilities can and most likely will cost as much or more than a good deal on an AMERICAN MADE, solid cast iron, high quality, good used Bridgeport.
Good luck!!!