https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WApJOZUBsJ_a8FNN6cx69BuRYD10-3Zvb_Z0Z2iWw0w/edit
I would really like to put together a nice home shop (need a little more space though). Maybe a nice enough setup to do small jobs for $. Could be a nice post retirement activity if retirement is ever possible.
Other than the space issue, it is somewhat hard to define what is the appropriate machine capacity for a home shop. This is especially true without some experience with this type of equipment and a good understanding of what types of projects I may want to tackle.
Still thinking about the types of possible projects - ranging from mundane carts/storage, large rebar type trellises all the way up to aluminum greenhouse frames, etc.
Cost is also a factor. What features on a mill would I regret not having if I either have a desire to do lots of hobby work or decide to try and make a few dollars with it? What features are easily added later? What is best purchased versus self-built? I believe I could safely construct a press but I am less sure whether I can do it cost effectively - less mechanical engineering knowledge will translate into overbuilding to stay safe. I do think it would be a fun project though.
There is also the risk with used equipment. Without a knowledgeable friend, it seems somewhat difficult to determine the state of used mills. I did see a few blog posts with some good practical advice - listen to your intuition and remember a "too good deal" is likely not a deal type things. I don't have experience tramming a mill or working with DTI equipment so I would agree with some blogs stating it would be a mistake trying to sort that out when checking out a potential mill for purchase.
An interesting reference regarding checking out a used mill.
http://www.mermac.com/freemill2.html
It may turn out to be an adventure.
The below lists are by no way complete but these are the most common sites I have looked at for much of the larger equipment I have an interest in.
Some metal working tool, equipment and accessory manufacturers:
- http://www.aceronline.net/acergroup/mills.htm
- http://www.americanmachinetools.com/milling_machines.htm
- http://metal.baileighindustrial.com/
- http://www.birminghammillingmachines.com/
- http://www.bpt.com/
- http://www.boltonhardware.com/category/bolton-tools/
- http://www.grizzly.com/
- www.harborfreight.com/
- http://www.jettools.com/us/en/home/
- http://kbctoolsandmachinery.com/category/show/Milling+Machines/Manual/
- http://www.kentusa.com/mills/
- http://www.lagun.com/vertical-milling-machines.php
- http://www.littlemachineshop.com/
- http://www.manford-usa.com/
- http://www.mscdirect.com/
- http://www.micromark.com/machine-tools.html
- http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_metal-fabrication
- http://www.proxxontools.com/store/pc/home.asp
- http://www.robotshop.com/en/tabletop-milling-machines.html
- http://www.rongfu.com/en/milling-drilling-machine.html
- http://www.sharp-industries.com/mills.html
- http://www.sherline.com/tools.htm
- http://www.siegind.com/products.html
- http://www.smithy.com/
- http://www.southern-tool.com/store/metalworking_mills.php
- http://www.taigtools.com/
- www.use-enco.com
- http://www.wells-index.com/
- http://tool.wttool.com/tools/Milling%20Machine
- http://www.practicalmachinist.com/
- weldingweb.com
- bbs.homeshopmachinist.net
- http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/
- http://owwm.org
- http://bidadoo.com/BuyingEquipment.aspx
- http://www.dempseyandco.com/
- http://cincinnatimilling.com/?page_id=301
- http://www.sterlingmachinery.com/
- http://www.machinetools.com/en/for-sale/machines/group/milling-machines
- http://www.govliquidation.com/Machinery.html
- http://www.surplusrecord.com/general.htm
- http://www.bid-on-equipment.com/Category/Machine+Shop+and+Tools.htm
