Homebrew PCBs

--- Sebastien Bailard <penguin@...> wrote:
snip
> 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"

What do you think of R8 vs #3 Morse? Is one better, or easier to find
than the other?

> and the threading/hand
> wheel divisions
> (imperial v.s. Metric.)
> http://www.littlemachineshop.com/Info/minimill_compare.php

Actually, lower down on that page it says the MicroMark is 0.050 inch
per revolution, vs 1/16th inch per rev of the others, and "Micro-Mark
will have you believe that the other mini mills have metric dials, but
they do not."

That is making me very interested in the Micromark, since the others
are not even 0.060 as marked, but 0.0625 per rev.

> You 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=1262
> and the manual littlemachineshop has written for the machines:
> "Mini Mill User's Guide"
> http://www.littlemachineshop.com/Reference/reference.php

Thanks!

> I'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.

I got links to the models I mentioned from a site similar to the one
you sent me. They said the same thing.

I'd save a lot on the Harbor Freight because I have one right here a
mile from my house. But the 50 thou per rev of the Micromark is very
attractive.

Steve Greenfield

PS you don't need to send it to me off list, too.