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Author Topic: Machining & Milling  (Read 7667 times)

fatcat123

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Machining & Milling
« on: October 11, 2011, 09:49:37 pm »

Hi all,

I'm following a few builds online on the dutch and german sites and am really impressed with the skills and build quality of the boats. Most parts are machined and milled and i would love to be able to do that.

Are there any books, online videos, dvds etc that anyone can recommend to show the way these machines are operated and ways to do things?

I'm tempted, when i get my compensation claim sorted, to buy some of the proxxen machines etc.

Dan
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john s 2

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Re: Machining & Milling
« Reply #1 on: October 11, 2011, 10:57:07 pm »

Might i suggest that you could join an evening class at a School. Or is their a local enginering Club? both of these will give you an idea of machine work,and guide you as what to buy.I know its a personal choice. But i think that space permitting a good used Myford is hard to beat.There is so much tooling around for them.Please remember that a lathe is more or less a milling machine on its side.John
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fatcat123

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Re: Machining & Milling
« Reply #2 on: October 11, 2011, 11:53:37 pm »

I am thinking of doing a class. I find it fascinating how stuff is made.

Dan

found this - http://start-model-engineering.co.uk/tutorials/basic-workshop-skills/
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boatmadman

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Re: Machining & Milling
« Reply #3 on: October 12, 2011, 07:53:59 am »

Two good forums here:

http://madmodder.net/index.php

http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/index.php

Regarding machines, John S has it bang on the nail. Get a machine that has lots of tooling available, is as big as space and wallet will allow because if you start off with a small one you will want to be upsizing very quickly.

Ian
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HS93 (RIP)

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Re: Machining & Milling
« Reply #4 on: October 12, 2011, 10:18:13 am »

and unless you have someone who would be prepaired to make machine parts for you don't buy something cheap that part are no longer easily available there have been some lathes and mills going on ebay of late that have bits missing or look like they have just been dug up and are going for silly money, most will just be very disappointing and put you of machining the price of new Chinese is such that you can get something that works and that can be repaired if needed, some of the big names like boxford and Myford can be picked up cheap if you are Lucky and there are plenty of secondhand spares for them, when you decide what you want look for a forum that specialises in that machine and read through and get an idea what breaks or need fixing and also see the things that can be made on them.

peter
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fatcat123

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Re: Machining & Milling
« Reply #5 on: October 12, 2011, 10:26:07 am »

Just at a glance, ive been looking at the proxxon range.

Theres a cnc/mill on there for almost 5k. i'd consider something like that.
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HS93 (RIP)

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Re: Machining & Milling
« Reply #6 on: October 12, 2011, 11:00:55 am »

most small machines can be converted to CNC hear is one I sold recently after converting it and the one I replaced it with as I found I only needed a very small desk top unit,

Peter
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boatmadman

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Re: Machining & Milling
« Reply #7 on: October 12, 2011, 01:58:19 pm »

I have one of these lathes:

http://www.peatol.com/

I find it surprisingly capable given its small size. Peatol also do a mill. I also have a seig x2 mill which does everything I want from a mill.

Ian
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fatcat123

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Re: Machining & Milling
« Reply #8 on: October 12, 2011, 02:05:41 pm »

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HS93 (RIP)

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Re: Machining & Milling
« Reply #9 on: October 12, 2011, 05:07:59 pm »

Proxon are very expensive for what they are for the same price you could get a mill like this  http://www.warco.co.uk/milling-machines/31-wm-14-variable-speed-milling-machine.html that will do everything the proxon Will PLUS handle bigger stuff it is not that big but very rigid I bought one recently after looking about . the thing about it it will take all standard Morse taper tooling so collets can be used and the price of tools are then a fraction of what proxxon want, for the price of the lath you could get a brand new Myford the last ones made and there are enough spares out there to out last most of us plus the new company taking over (RDG) are going to continue to manufacture in the UK.

Peter
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Re: Machining & Milling
« Reply #10 on: October 15, 2011, 10:15:46 am »

Hi Dan, I have just purchased a new Chinese lathe. It is a 10x18 & is a joy to use. A friend of mine has had the same one for four years without a spot of trouble. It is called Craftex in Canada & sold by a company called Busy Bee Tools. I think they are sold in U/K by Grizzly tools. The tools you will need to go with it are reasonably priced & are good quality also.It is a terrific experience when you make your first part on it. Go ahead, you will not re-get it. Mick B. PS= Any questions PM me, I will be glad to help. I am now looking at a milling machine.
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fatcat123

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Re: Machining & Milling
« Reply #11 on: October 15, 2011, 11:29:03 am »

Thanks.

ive been looking at milling and lathe courses .

It will be a while before i get any machinery, both for reasons of money and somewhere to put it and use it

Dan
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F4TCT

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Re: Machining & Milling
« Reply #12 on: November 15, 2012, 04:01:04 pm »

I think them Warco are the way forward. Im now in a position to spend many thousands on a laithe, milling machine, the tooling and a bandsaw. I was tempted by the Proxxon, however the warco are better value.


Any other further advice greatly received.


Dan
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steam up

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Re: Machining & Milling
« Reply #13 on: November 15, 2012, 04:39:38 pm »

Tooling is an additional cost you need to consider might be worth considering second hand (Myford ,Boxford) go to the local engineering club for advice.
Be very careful it gets under your skin, I am now hooked on steam boats %% %% %% %% .

F4TCT

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Re: Machining & Milling
« Reply #14 on: November 15, 2012, 04:50:56 pm »

Yeah i can understand how it would be considering some of the quality you steam guys knock out. Id like to get into it and maybe one day make a steam project, but I have a lot to learn before that point.


Never done any milling before but watched loads of tutorials and just now need the equipment so I can start. Got loads of boat projects I want to do and want to make my own precision parts and maybe some thrusters etc.


Theres just so much to choose from and Im lost to be honest, something that maybe be another £200 might do one feature slightly better and then again something for £100 on top of that could take the machine into a different league. Where do we draw the line.


Dan
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grendel

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Re: Machining & Milling
« Reply #15 on: November 15, 2012, 06:24:12 pm »

I have a unimat, they are fantastic small lathes, but since there are collectors out there too and parts are scarce its not a machine I could in all honesty recommend, they are one of a very few truly portable lathes and excellent for modelling small items (up to about 2" diameter).
you can get them with a milling setup too, though mine doesnt have this (basic model unimat 3).
Grendel
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F4TCT

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Re: Machining & Milling
« Reply #16 on: July 02, 2014, 11:46:51 am »

Im back on with seeking out a mill and a laithe...  :}


Thinking of one these - [size=78%]http://www.warco.co.uk/milling-machines/32-wm-16-variable-speed-milling-machine.html[/size]


Dan
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ooyah/2

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Re: Machining & Milling
« Reply #17 on: July 02, 2014, 06:03:23 pm »

Im back on with seeking out a mill and a laithe...  :}


Thinking of one these - [size=78%]http://www.warco.co.uk/milling-machines/32-wm-16-variable-speed-milling-machine.html[/size]


Dan

Dan,
Have a look at Chester machine tools , I have had one of their lathes (  http://www.chesterhobbystore.com/920-lathe-3968-p.asp )  for the past 18 years and still can't fault it, I also have their mill drill ( Conquest ) both are sold without the cabinets, both machines as far as I am aware are cheaper than Warco and I am sure that they all come from the same Chinese factory, just sprayed a different colour.

For the prices and service from Chester I can't fault them.  ( P.M. sent )

George.
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Time Bandit

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Re: Machining & Milling
« Reply #18 on: July 02, 2014, 06:54:00 pm »

Yep, all these machines appear in different shapes and colors and all come from the same chinese plant (company is called SIEG).
BUT some of the retailers improve the machine quality and adjust it better, which you can also do by yourself.
There are a lot of how to´s on the net (at least here in germany).

What you should generally consider is the size of the machine.
The "16" size machine is more or less a drilling machine with XY travel added.
The "20" size machine is a real milling machine and at least 300% stiffer.
I used both of them, and the improvement of the bigger machine is huge.
If you want to do some tough machining operations in steel, the bigger one is definetly the better decision.
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Tobias

F4TCT

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Re: Machining & Milling
« Reply #19 on: July 02, 2014, 08:53:56 pm »

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ooyah/2

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Re: Machining & Milling
« Reply #20 on: July 03, 2014, 12:35:25 am »

Yep, all these machines appear in different shapes and colors and all come from the same chinese plant (company is called SIEG).
BUT some of the retailers improve the machine quality and adjust it better, which you can also do by yourself.
There are a lot of how to´s on the net (at least here in germany).

What you should generally consider is the size of the machine.
The "16" size machine is more or less a drilling machine with XY travel added.
The "20" size machine is a real milling machine and at least 300% stiffer.
I used both of them, and the improvement of the bigger machine is huge.
If you want to do some tough machining operations in steel, the bigger one is definitely the better decision.

Yes , the Conquest has limitations but price was a factor and space was the other.
One of the main disadvantages of the Conquest is that you have to lock up all of the slides except the one that you are using.
I have purchased a set of collets and a collet holder with draw bar to use when milling and this makes a difference when milling and much safer than using the Jacobs chuck.

As suggested if you can afford the bigger mill and have the space , go for it.

I can say that I am more than satisfied with the 920 lathe which I have been using for the last 18 years and especially over the last 15 years of retirement and it's still going strong.

George.

George
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