first mill??

[David]

I found this mill from Busybee, looks like the Mathews just rebranded, I have been comparing pictures of both, looks like the same factory?

https://www.busybeetools.com/products/milling-machine-with-digital-readout-cx601?request=collection

Bench Type Mills – Precision Matthews Machinery Co.

www.precisionmatthews.com

I have the Weiss version of that mill. Weiss used to make machines for PM but not any longer. They do make the Busy Bee branded CX601.
I bought mine direct from Weiss. Was $3000 to my door with X axis power feed.
It's no Bridgeport but is a decent hobby bench mill.

 

[MooseMeat]

I have the Weiss version of that mill. Weiss used to make machines for PM but not any longer. They do make the Busy Bee branded CX601.
I bought mine direct from Weiss. Was $3000 to my door with X axis power feed.
It's no Bridgeport but is a decent hobby bench mill.

kinda what I'm looking for, decent, not looking to make parts for NASA, I just don't want to get fooled into junk, and when I see the PM stuff that looks the same as Canadian stuff but in US dollars it makes a fella wonder.

 

[David]

kinda what I'm looking for, decent, not looking to make parts for NASA, I just don't want to get fooled into junk, and when I see the PM stuff that looks the same as Canadian stuff but in US dollars it makes a fella wonder.

I'm helping re-write the manuals for the Wiess machines so have contact with the general manager. They have been excellent to work with.

 

[MooseMeat]

I'm helping re-write the manuals for the Wiess machines so have contact with the general manager. They have been excellent to work with.

So would you recommend the cx601, I just don't want to be frustrated trying modify junk to do a good job. I would like something that will last and is repeatable.

 

[David]

So would you recommend the cx601, I just don't want to be frustrated trying modify junk to do a good job. I would like something that will last and is repeatable.

I've been very happy with my mill. I'm in the process of converting it to CNC as I felt it was worth of the investment.
Just know that Busy Bee will charge you and arm and a leg to ship it to the island. That's the big reason I bought direct from Weiss.
Between higher initial cost, taxes, and shipping I saved over a $1000

 

[MooseMeat]

I've been very happy with my mill. I'm in the process of converting it to CNC as I felt it was worth of the investment.
Just know that Busy Bee will charge you and arm and a leg to ship it to the island. That's the big reason I bought direct from Weiss.
Between higher initial cost, taxes, and shipping I saved over a $1000

yah I just put it all in the checkout to see, $425 shipping.

 

[David]

yah I just put it all in the checkout to see, $425 shipping.

That's about $250 less that when I was looking.

 

[MooseMeat]

That's about $250 less that when I was looking.

Are the Weiss machines from France? I just went to one site and they have international shipping, however if the Canadian ones are made by them 6 of one 1/2 dozen the other,

 

[David]

Are the Weiss machines from France? I just went to one site and they have international shipping, however if the Canadian ones are made by them 6 of one 1/2 dozen the other,

No, Weiss is in China.

 

[MooseMeat]

No, Weiss is in China.

Well the murky waters of the mill just got a bit clearer.

 

[whydontu]

I’ve owned a mini mill, a BB CT-129 (older version of CX-600), a round-column RF15, a combo lathe/mill, worked many years on a Rambaudi V3 Bridgeport clone, and currently own a round-column RF30. I’m in a townhouse with a single garage with an 8ft ceiling. If I was going to wait for a viable small-footprint machine, I’d keep on the lookout for an RF45 gear head mill. Not much bigger than a round column, but much more rigid and avoids the round-column Z-axis problems. Jet JMD-40 or 45, King KC-45, Baileigh, Precision Matthew’s PM-727. My $0.02.

 

[MooseMeat]

I’ve owned a mini mill, a BB CT-129 (older version of CX-600), a round-column RF15, a combo lathe/mill, worked many years on a Rambaudi V3 Bridgeport clone, and currently own a round-column RF30. I’m in a townhouse with a single garage with an 8ft ceiling. If I was going to wait for a viable small-footprint machine, I’d keep on the lookout for an RF45 gear head mill. Not much bigger than a round column, but much more rigid and avoids the round-column Z-axis problems. Jet JMD-40 or 45, King KC-45, Baileigh, Precision Matthew’s PM-727. My $0.02.

back to muddy again

 

[David]

Keep your eyes open for machines on the mainland as well. If you have the means to move a mill; truck and or trailer then sometimes decent deals can be had. But you must be prepared to jump fast.

 

[MooseMeat]

Keep your eyes open for machines on the mainland as well. If you have the means to move a mill; truck and or trailer then sometimes decent deals can be had. But you must be prepared to jump fast.

Thank you,,

 

[Tom Kitta]

Yeah you can get good deals with used - I sold new old stock RF-30 with extra long column and some tooling for 1800 CAD a month ago. With stand as well.

 

[Tomc938]

Hey thank you,
I found a nice Taiwan lathe after 2 + years of searching and it was local, I'll just keep looking and asking questions, something will happen sooner or later.

Cheers

I started with a King Rf-30 round column clone. "For me", I didn't like the fact that to adjust the Z axis you had to loosen everything, lose your setting that was "so close" and then try and dial it in again. I had to opportunity to get and XLO right here in town for $1800, and I wouldn't go back. You can get close and then sneak up by 0.001. It takes a bit more space, but my mill and 1236 lathe take about 10' along one side of my garage. And nice surprise: I put it in the wrong location when I first set it down, but with a pinch bar and some 1" pipe I can easily move it on my own - and I'm not a big guy!

It took over a year to even find the first mill. And these guys here will help you find things to spend your money on. So don't give up.

(I'm up in Campbell River, so if you are ever I the neighbourhood and want to see my disaster of a workshop, just drop me a note)

 

[Susquatch]

@MooseMeat - sounds to me like you are early in the mill learning phase. I don't know how old you are, but your avatar looks retired.

My advice is to go with a used gearhead bench top rf45 style mill. Not too big, very capable. The reason for my advice is to start at a reasonable set point, and don't get too heavily invested in new equipment. The idea is to learn, and then later decide if you want bigger or newer. You can sell whatever you bought for roughly what you paid for it. Basically free rent.

Unless you are rolling in cash, don't buy new because you can't sell for what you paid.

I'd also recommend an R8 spindle. That way your tooling can be transferrable to a bigger machine when and if you upgrade. The really big stuff will not be R8, but from what you have written, I don't think that is on your travel plan itinerary.

I agree with other advice here, plan around your table size but don't get carried away with that. 99% of your work will get done on a vise in the center. So you don't really need walking space around an extended table - just some room (or configurable room) to move the table there for the odd time when its needed.

When shopping, here is a list of things to look at in a used mill.

Post in thread 'First milling machine'

Jul 12, 2022

Ok, looks like I'm heading to Vancouver on Friday to have a look at this one; will likely hire a hauler to bring it to Victoria for me - Seems to be an all-in rate of $950 [ferry, taxes, pickup in Langley, drop in Victoria].
Before I spend a day and ton on ferries, what are some queries I can make remotely? I already have this from the seller:

Thanks

You asked so I'll give you my checklist. Keep in mind that I'm no expert. But I was buying a big Mill and I needed something to go by so I made this list from things I heard or saw. It's better than going blind.

I used this for...

• Susquatch

• 
• 

 

[Downwindtracker2]

Being on the Island, you're not that far from Bellingham Washington and Grizzly's western showroom. If you can get a chance to look at the models and run you hands over them. You will see and feel the quality or lack there of. Drooling on them is bad form, chuckle.

Mills are very useful, even mine in her then clapped out state, she did fair bit of work, like slotting motor bases. It's much easier and more accurate than doing it with die grinder by hand.I've used my mill more often than my lathe. BTW ,I don't recommend worn out machines, even if I fixed mine.

Cost !! No one is talking about the tooling ! I can go to KMS, buy a lathe bit for $5, and be in business. A mill requires much more tooling and I'm not talking about DROs or power feeds ! Those are optional luxuries .

Power down feed, this not a luxury . In order to bore decent hole you need a smooth power feed. Think of a bearing housing in a plate .

Even new Bridgeports don't do NASA quality work. This is from an old machinist who really did NASA work. He has a Bridgeport in his shop .

Even the RF-30 round columns are great drill presses !

 

[MooseMeat]

I started with a King Rf-30 round column clone. "For me", I didn't like the fact that to adjust the Z axis you had to loosen everything, lose your setting that was "so close" and then try and dial it in again. I had to opportunity to get and XLO right here in town for $1800, and I wouldn't go back. You can get close and then sneak up by 0.001. It takes a bit more space, but my mill and 1236 lathe take about 10' along one side of my garage. And nice surprise: I put it in the wrong location when I first set it down, but with a pinch bar and some 1" pipe I can easily move it on my own - and I'm not a big guy!

It took over a year to even find the first mill. And these guys here will help you find things to spend your money on. So don't give up.

(I'm up in Campbell River, so if you are ever I the neighbourhood and want to see my disaster of a workshop, just drop me a note)

Thanks Tom,
it took me a while to find my lathe and waiting time was used for some research.

 

[MooseMeat]

Being on the Island, you're not that far from Bellingham Washington and Grizzly's western showroom. If you can get a chance to look at the models and run you hands over them. You will see and feel the quality or lack there of. Drooling on them is bad form, chuckle.

Mills are very useful, even mine in her then clapped out state, she did fair bit of work, like slotting motor bases. It's much easier and more accurate than doing it with die grinder by hand.I've used my mill more often than my lathe. BTW ,I don't recommend worn out machines, even if I fixed mine.

Cost !! No one is talking about the tooling ! I can go to KMS, buy a lathe bit for $5, and be in business. A mill requires much more tooling and I'm not talking about DROs or power feeds ! Those are optional luxuries .

Power down feed, this not a luxury . In order to bore decent hole you need a smooth power feed. Think of a bearing housing in a plate .

Even new Bridgeports don't do NASA quality work. This is from an old machinist who really did NASA work. He has a Bridgeport in his shop .

Even the RF-30 round columns are great drill presses !

All great "add a vice" here thank you
I'll put the feelers out and brush up on what I need and what I think I need, kinda what I've told the kids over the years.
thank you....