Mill

[bollero]

What do you guys think about this Mill? i'm trying to get some funding to buy it ... Will it work to mill some 80% Ar receivers?

http://www.shoptask.com/index.html

[nat]

I'm personally not a fan of lathe/mill combos.

[goober]

if you're planning on paying the prices listed on that (atrocious) website, you can do better for the $$

[wash]

Shoptask is a little bit weird but probably a lot more rigid than any other 3 in 1 type machine.

If you have very limited space they can be good, it just pales in comparison to a Bridgeport style mill or a good lathe.

I've used one, don't let someone condemn all 3 in 1 machines because their 250 lb Harbor Freight 3 in 1 wasn't any good (Shoptasks have a shipping weight around 1,100 lbs I think).

[goober]

i wouldn't condemn all 3-in-1's, but likewise i think you agreed that they tend to suffer from "jack-of-all-trades" syndrome...

[bollero]

well i plan to just have it in a garage... so space is limited...

[prc104]

You might go to www.cnczone.com and they have a Shoptask forum on there. Some are happy, some are not; some have some good mods you can do to the machine.

If you can, you might be able to find someone on cnczone close by so you can see it for yourself.

I have the Eldorado in my shop and I will say it works, you just have to go slow when working with steel.

Have fun!

[Woodworker2]

You might consider a mill/drill instead; like this one http://www.grizzly.com/products/2-HP-Mill-Drill/G1006 . The ergonomics are better and the table is larger.

[goober]

You might consider a mill/drill instead; like this one http://www.grizzly.com/products/2-HP-Mill-Drill/G1006 . The ergonomics are better and the table is larger.

yes, just be aware of the considerations of round column mills- namely, that if you must move in z farther than the quill range, you will likely lose x-y registration. Not the end of the world, and can be worked around, but generally means more setup time/extra hassle.

[FeelthySanchez]

What do you guys think about this Mill? i'm trying to get some funding to buy it ... Will it work to mill some 80% Ar receivers?

http://www.shoptask.com/index.html

It reeks w/ the stench of a Chinese import.

Buy a Bridgeport instead.
Cry once.

[hypnoman]

What do you guys think about this Mill? i'm trying to get some funding to buy it ... Will it work to mill some 80% Ar receivers?


http://www.shoptask.com/index.html

Wow . . . how many 80% are you planning to mill?

Man, this looks like a lot of machine shop . . . you can likely machine a lot of accessories for your other projects, too!

If you're buying this . . . wish you were MY neighbor . . .

[bollero]

well i wanna start a 80% shop selling lowers... that's my dream...

[goober]

well i wanna start a 80% shop selling lowers... that's my dream...

not a lot of margin there... unless you can do major volume. ask Jim over at TM.
there are quite a few ops needed to bring a 0% forging up to 80%, and unless you're planning to offer some sort of custom/boutique-y angle, it will be hard to compete price-wise.
but good luck!
in any event, here's hoping whatever mill you choose does everything you need.

[Nathan Krynn]

Just to give you an idea we have a dedicated VF-4 for our 80%'s and that all it makes.



I do not believe on the combo you selected you will be able to mass produce 80%'s.

You also have other large pieces of equipment to finish them, the mill is only one part of it.

[smird]

Just to give you an idea we have a dedicated VF-4 for our 80%'s and that all it makes.



I do not believe on the combo you selected you will be able to mass produce 80%'s.

You also have other large pieces of equipment to finish them, the mill is only one part of it.

Sure now you're just bragging...