@Susquatch It has been suggested that upgrading the plastic gears with metal gears is just asking for the next weakest link in the drive train to fail causing even worse damage. The drive belt upgrade will slip before that happens.
Hi from Kitchener, ON
- Thread starter LenVW
- Start date
@Susquatch It has been suggested that upgrading the plastic gears with metal gears is just asking for the next weakest link in the drive train to fail causing even worse damage. The drive belt upgrade will slip before that happens.
Build a garage and plunk a Bridgeport in it
The mini was a compromise due to me being stuck working in my limited space basement shop. It also started out as the companion to my mini-lathe, but I soon realized I wanted something bigger and better. Both machines have since been upgraded.
My impression was that @LenVW is interested in an RF30 class (round column, circa 1.5 HP) whereas the machines with the failing plastic gears are RF45-type (mini mill with square column and .75 HP or less). I don't think BusyBee even offers an RF30-class machine at this time. Mine is a 2008 vintage.
King Canada's PDM-30 is an RF30 style machine, $2,700 at KBC:
![6-125-030.jpg]()
KING INDUSTRIAL,KING BENCH MILL/DRILL MACHINE 1.5HP 220V,6-125-030,KBC Tools & Machinery
KING INDUSTRIAL,KING BENCH MILL/DRILL MACHINE 1.5HP 220V,6-125-030,KBC Tools & Machinerywww.kbctools.ca
Craig
That looks like it has a lot in common with my own round column mill/drill. But mega dollars. I didn't have the impression anybody wanted to spend that kind of coin. A good used one would probably still be 2 grand. My BP Clone is looking better by the minute.
gmihovics
Garrett
if that's the case, there is a craftex rf30 clone up on Facebook marketplace near me, about an hour from @LenVWMy impression was that @LenVW is interested in an RF30 class (round column, circa 1.5 HP) whereas the machines with the failing plastic gears are RF45-type (mini mill with square column and .75 HP or less). I don't think BusyBee even offers an RF30-class machine at this time. Mine is a 2008 vintage.
King Canada's PDM-30 is an RF30 style machine, $2,700 at KBC:
![6-125-030.jpg]()
KING INDUSTRIAL,KING BENCH MILL/DRILL MACHINE 1.5HP 220V,6-125-030,KBC Tools & Machinery
KING INDUSTRIAL,KING BENCH MILL/DRILL MACHINE 1.5HP 220V,6-125-030,KBC Tools & Machinery
Craig
As Carl Segan once said "Where are they"?
I'm sort of glad I never found one though. I love my BP Clone.
I am still deciding on what might work well for me. The 3/4hp King Canada KC-15VS looks the more favourable choice right now, but, I still have time to check other sources of NEW and USED machines.My impression was that @LenVW is interested in an RF30 class (round column, circa 1.5 HP) whereas the machines with the failing plastic gears are RF45-type (mini mill with square column and .75 HP or less). I don't think BusyBee even offers an RF30-class machine at this time. Mine is a 2008 vintage.
King Canada's PDM-30 is an RF30 style machine, $2,700 at KBC:
![6-125-030.jpg]()
KING INDUSTRIAL,KING BENCH MILL/DRILL MACHINE 1.5HP 220V,6-125-030,KBC Tools & Machinery
KING INDUSTRIAL,KING BENCH MILL/DRILL MACHINE 1.5HP 220V,6-125-030,KBC Tools & Machinery
Craig
Go for it.I'm kind of with you, I would want to see if I could get it for 700-750 but what do I know lol I'm a newbie. I just know that this model has the smaller table compared to the x2d and does indeed have plastic gears on the headstock and drive. I can get metal gears and a belt drive kit from little machine shop and I can even get the larger table with fixed z column if I wanted to to basically upgrade it to the x2d.
if I factor in the price of the gears, assuming they have seen abused which I think is likely, I would want to try and offset that repair cost.
I'm actually trying to find a way to bypass the spending embargo
I do not want to start a bidding war with a fellow member.
I would find out how long he has had it and why he selling it.
It looks to be fairly new.
gmihovics
Garrett
I'm going to have to pass so it's all yours.
gmihovics
Garrett
glad I didn't end up driving out to see it, I wouldn't pay the 875 after researching the issue with that mill.
yes, those mills are very small, they only have like 5 inches of y travel. you can upgrade the table and z column to make it more rigid and have more x/y travel but then you are paying several hundred plus shipping to do so. all the upgrades to make it a decent little mill add up to the same cost of a used full-size mill in the end.
yes, those mills are very small, they only have like 5 inches of y travel. you can upgrade the table and z column to make it more rigid and have more x/y travel but then you are paying several hundred plus shipping to do so. all the upgrades to make it a decent little mill add up to the same cost of a used full-size mill in the end.
I talked to the seller today, it turns out he is retiring up to Northern Ontario. He said he got lucky and a guy came up with the $875 yesterday, no questions. We had similar career experiences and were both in Stratford thru the 1980s and 1990s.
I guess my search for a nice desktop mill continues.
I guess my search for a nice desktop mill continues.
John,
I just looked at the photo closer, did you machine an AVRO Arrow from a chunk of metal ?
I was up to the Carquest on Rutherford Road in Brampton on Tuesday.
Thanks Craig.
Is John a little tied up ?
He doesn't visit or post very often.....
Oldarm
John
Hello Len,
The Arrows, like my other work are diecastings (PM). They start life as a "soft" model or pattern then a sand casting, then an aluminum die built from that. The final castings are in aluminum or one of the zinc/aluminum alloys. The dies are cast to size and never see a mill or machine tool (drill press excepted!) Yes, I'm still active! We just like to hide I guess. I'll attach a couple of snaps to show a bit of what I am up to currently.
If you were on Rutherford road the other day you were just two or three minutes away from my little workshop!
