On Wednesday 20 December 2006 22:12, Steve wrote:
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "derekhawkins" <eldata@...> wrote:
-=snip=-
> I bought a 9x12 from Enco a few years ago, but have been too flat
> busted to do anything about it. Now that I've gone from being
> ungainfully self-employed to being gainfully employed, I expect to
> have enough money and not enough time. :'/
>
> So I'm considering one of these:
>
> Grizzly Industrial Mill/Drill G8689
> $525 plus shipping, compare to the Micromark mill/drill.
> http://www.grizzly.com/products/g8689
>
> Harbor Freight Mill/Drill 44991
> $469, not quite as good as the Micromark one, but has a Yahoogroup
> supporting it.
> http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=44991
>
> Micromark 7x14 Metal Lathe 82710
> $595, free shipping over $150 'til Jan 2nd 2007
> http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog
>&Type=Product&ID=82710
>
>
> Micromark Mill/Drill 82573
> $525 a bit better than the $469 mill/drill from Harbor Freight. Free
> shipping over $150 'til Jan 2nd 2007
> http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog
>&Type=Product&ID=82573
>
> I want/need something more than just a drilling machine. I also want
> to be able to do 2 1/2D CNC carving. Prototype cases, small signs, etc.
>
> Steve Greenfield
Steve,
You're probably aware of this, but they're the same machine under the hood:
"All the mini mills listed on this page are made in the same factory in China.
Except where they have different features, the parts are interchangeable. In
our experience there is not a noticeable quality difference between the
brands."
The only real difference amongst the models seems to be the collets/spindle
tapers "R8 Taper v.s. #3 Morse Taper" and the threading/hand wheel divisions
(imperial v.s. Metric.)
http://www.littlemachineshop.com/Info/minimill_compare.phpYou also may want to consider the starter kit they sell (clamping kit, 1-2-3
blocks, etc.)
http://www.littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=1262and the manual littlemachineshop has written for the machines:
"Mini Mill User's Guide"
http://www.littlemachineshop.com/Reference/reference.phpI've got a taig mill myself rather than one of these machines, but I've heard
of people doing good work with them. I've also heard that the build quality
is variable; if you end up with one of the crap ones with sand in the
castings, etc., don't be afraid of sending it back and asking for a working
one.
Regards,
Sebastien Bailard
RepRap.org - self-reproducing 3D printer project