Mini/Micro Mill question

Old Traf

Old Traf

Joined
Jun 1, 2013
Messages
184
I am planning on purchasing a mini mill. My choices for consideration are the Harbor Freight mini and the Proxxon micro mill MF70. Does the Proxxon offer more value than the HF commensurate with the almost $300 difference in price. Are there any add-ons that would make the HF equal in precision and capability? If money is of no concern, what accessories should added to either of these mills?
 
Besides any replies you get here, check out UTube for a lot of info on both. (or any other recommendations)

I'm searching for something similar myself.
 
Take a look at the Taig mill. It's a very precise little machine.
 
The Proxxon would be good for watch making, but 1/8hp motor makes me pass on the deal.

If cost is not a factor that "Taig" Bill mentioned is a better piece of equipment all the way around.
 
I watched a video (UTube) on the Proxxon, and you do here the RPM drop on contact with the parts being machined.
Looks rather "finicky" to handle as well. tiny controls, ect....
 
Get the biggest counter-top mill you can afford. Buying small to fit the wallet rarely fits the job.
Remember, the mill is just the base machine, the tooling is the bigger expense. You need rigidity, and power, to use the tooling effectively, so buying an underpowered or poorly made mill to save money is really just wasting money.

If all you will ever do is slot a guard in 1/8" brass, yes, the HF mill will work. If you plan on doing anything else, get a bigger and better mill. You want 1/4HP or more.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
If all you will ever do is slot a guard in 1/8" brass, yes, the HF mill will work. If you plan on doing anything else, get a bigger and better mill. You want 1/4HP or more.
Click to expand...

That is simply not an accurate statement and misinformation.

I , and many others have been using a HF mini mill for many years making hundreds of parts for all kinds of applications. It has its limitations but 1/8" brass is not it.

While the HF has been around, it does need some mods and tweaks to get the most out of it. Just save time and money and go to littlemachineshop and check out their Hi Torque Mini Mill. They have several upgrades included that would cost more if you did it yourself and the quality control is much higher for their machines.
 
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If you want to stretch the budget a bit more, the harbor freight 6x26 knee mill is actually a surprisingly good machine. Its about halfway between a bench top mill and a Bridgeport, and a bit of a step up from the round column mill/drill machines.
Also sold by grizzly and others.
I still find it limiting, but it's what lack of space here allows. It will handle a 1/2" endmill in steel though, chattering just becomes an issue on heavy cuts.

For just slotting guards and such a mini bench top machine would likely be fine. I'd still recommend buying at least one size up from the smallest though. Once you have your first machine tool it's very easy to fall down that hole.
My dad and I started with a 6" lathe and both honestly thought it would be all we'd ever need. Within two years we had replaced it with a big floor model lathe, bought the milling machine, and two surface grinders. And there is a fair bit more in machine tool acquisition on the list as soon as a bigger shop becomes a reality.

No matter how cheap the machine is, tooling is still expensive. And it's all wasted money when you realize it's too small and start upgrading.

The other benefit of the HF knee mill is it takes R8 tooling.... That way when you eventually replace it with a Bridgeport everything will still fit.
 
AVigil said:
..... While the HF has been around, it does need some mods and tweaks to get the most out of it. Just save time and money and go to littlemachineshop and check out their Hi Torque Mini Mill. They have several upgrades included that would cost more if you did it yourself and the quality control is much higher for their machines.
Click to expand...


Which is what I said ???
 
I would pass on the Harbor Fright! The Little Machine Shop mil is a very good little mill. I've been using one for 5-6 years now and find no need for a larger mill. I also still use a Sherline that is higher quality, but much smaller and it will slot guards in steel and any other knife stuff I need.
 
Actually you said "If all you will ever do is slot a guard in 1/8" brass, yes, the HF mill will work. If you plan on doing anything else, get a bigger and better mill. You want 1/4HP or more."

As a user of a HF mini mill for over a decade I have a lot of experience with it.

It can do far more then 1/8" brass

People need to know accurate information, the internet is filled with examples with what it can do.

For example, here is a product I make for the Airforce Rifles. It is an integral trigger guard and AR 15 grip adapter made from 1/2" Aluminum 6061

h6PfUTo.jpg
 
Don Hanson III said:
...The Little Machine Shop mil is a very good little mill. I've been using one for 5-6 years now and find no need for a larger mill.
Click to expand...

Chris from Little machine shop goes to China to the factories that make the HF mini mill and contracts with them to make it with higher quality control and upgrades.

It really is a nice machine and if my HF ever dies, the Little Machine Shop High Torque is going to replace it.
 
Thanks for the info. It looks like 3/4 HP at about 90 lbs will fit my requirements, but not my available bench top space. So until more space comes open, will make do with drill press with Wagner safe surfacer and lots of filing for bolsters and guards.
 
Don't think about buying a jewelers saw- do it!
Once you learn to use it (about 300 blades!) you will find it an indispensable tool.
 
Gesswein has them for under $25, super useful tool.
Great for filework too
And they sell blades by the gross for a reason, you'll break them constantly for a while
 
I haven't milled a guard slot in many years. I cut them with a jeweler's saw and #1 blade.
 
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