[hcpookie]

http://pookieweb.dyndns.org:61129/minimill/mill1.jpg

mmmm juicy snack! Now to get all the cutting tools I need. Hrm what can I do for a project? I'm thinking about making some dimple dies. Then I'm thinking about making an FCG from scrap metal I have laying around. Would be a good first projo - simple, small, cheap.

I must say I plan to do quite a bit with it!

 

[hcpookie]

Harbor Freight, part # 44991go to www.mini-lathe.com and follow the "mill" link... you'll find that all of these mini-mills are identical, all made at one OEM plant somewhere, and all made in China (or Taiwan). Thus it became a matter of economics. There's an HF store here in town, so I saved shipping and happened to get it when on sale for $100 off... paid $430 total.

Now to invest that $100 I saved into collets and end mills! Ironically, littlemachineshop.com has the best prices on end-mills but they are sold out.

 

[hcpookie]

lol that's too funny - I did know that all the parts would exceed the cost of the mill, but that's OK.

The littlemachineshop.com website is always out of the parts I need - figures. I need a recommendation for a good supplier of economy end mills and collets. I've found a few that seem to have some good prices:

http://www.lathemaster.com

http://www.billstoolcrib.com

http://www.discount-tools.com

Any others I should look into?

 

[hcpookie]

Ahh got the goodies...

http://pookieweb.dyndns.org:61129/minimill/DSCN3838.JPG

... and started on a '74 floorplate maker. Emphasis on STARTED.

http://pookieweb.dyndns.org:61129/minimill/DSCN3839.JPG

I realize I have a long way to go to learn this mill, but this is a good first step.

Metal splinters suck!

 

[hcpookie]

Most of what I've found is forum stuff. Links to some of the forums here:

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

ALSO - check this out, there is a complete milling operation guide from the ARMY... for the corps of engineers maybe? Very very very useful, recommend downloading all the stuff to your local HD!

http://www.adtdl.army.mil/cgi-bin/atdl.dll/tc/9-524/toc.htm

That site is "da bomb"


Another useful link:

http://www.metalworking.com/links_to_learn.html

hth,
- Jerry