[swbluto]

So, I'm thinking of getting a milling machine because I need to machine Lexan / Plexiglass and ABS plastic and the pieces I'm looking at are 2" by 5" in size and the rectangular hole I want cut is 1" x 4" in size.

Would this milling machine work for that?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=44991

It's rumored to be the Sieg x2. Does this have the capability to mill mild steel and aluminum?

Also, is there any glaring faults with the following machine?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=5980

It looks tempting given that it also includes a lathe, but I don't know what the troubles with it are.

Anyways, once I purchase the milling machine, what else do I need? I'm talking about the bare minimium. Would I need a "drill bit"/ 'spindle'? I already have a machinist vice. Is there anything else that I need to just get started in cutting ABS plastic and lexan?

[swbluto]

Is there a n00b friendly part of the forums where n00b questions are answered? Please point me in that direction...

[Flenser]

We are noob friendly here. I hope so anyway, 'cause I pretty much qualify as one...

Based on your requirements and assuming you need a lot of the plastic parts you described, if it were me I would get a $30 router instead of a $500 mill. Bolt it to a piece of plywood and screw wood strips to the plywood so they form a 3"X9" rectangle around the router bit. Drill a hole in the plastic and slide it over the router bit, then move it around the rectangle and you're done. (I would also ditch the Plexiglas in favor of almost any other kind of plastic. That stuff is super brittle.)

Either machine you linked to will do what you want, though, and you need at minimum an end mill and collet. The end mill is similar to a drill bit, but is designed to cut sideways. The collet is what holds the end mill in the machine securely and precisely.

I have read the combined mill-lathe machines become cumbersome if you use them often. Switching between the mill and lathe is said to be a chore. I considered one initially, but changed my mind after lurking here for 6 months.

I saw a link to an MIT video course on machining on the forum earlier. That would be a good way to learn a few things before you decide what to buy.

Jeff

[universalfab]

Well swbluto your machine your links go to and almost everything from HF is a pile of $hit. I would never consider buying a machine from HF, let alone a wrench. I have bought a couple things from there and 1 was a bubble balancer and it is extremely crude and performed in my opinion very poarly.
There are a few things you need to take into consideration before you buy a machine and those things are:
1- what kind of shapes are you going to be cutting?
2- what kind of tolerances do you need to hold?
3- do you want to cut pockets and drill holes?

If the answer is fairly low tolerances and all profile cuts then you answer is not a router in my opinion, but a vertical band saw. If you do want fairly mid range tolerances, pockets, verious angles of cuts for facing and so on then you need a mill. You also probably should save about $1500.00 and buy yourself a used bridgeport knee mill style machine and get the best bang for your buck. Don't listen to anyone on here trying to get you to buy this stupid hobbyist sized and over priced chinese garbage. You'll be better off any day going on ebay or to a machine auction and buy a old used 1975 manual bridgeport style machine for $1500.00 or possibly even less, who knows you just have to look and be patient. Good luck and don't be fooled by them it's always better to have something that will do more then what you need at the time for just a fraction more of the price. U.S.A. or jap machines are the ones your looking for and all chinese of any make you should stear clear of.

[knudsen]

If you go with a mill, in addition to the collet and end mill, you'll need some way to hold the work. Thin stuff, like plexiglass, is usually clamped down rather than held in a vise.

Most of us here are using benchtop mills, as the forum name implies, but there are a couple of alternatives to the Chinese offerings. Check out taig and sherline. http://www.sherline.com/ http://www.taigtools.com/ They are lighter than the Chinese models and more expensive, but well made. If you want to cut steel, probably better skip the sherline and taig.

This one is an X2: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=44991 I only paid about $400 for mine, and it works well for my uses. If buying today, at current prices, I would be looking hard at a G0704: http://www.grizzly.com/products/Dril...th-Stand/G0704

[universalfab]

Granted they are both made in the U.S.A., I think at least one of them at least, but they are still at least $1000.00. Now tell me why you would want to spend that kind of money on a 12" machine when you can go buy a used perfectly functioning well enough for anything YOU can dream of industrial sized knee mill?! Clamps are the last thing you need to worry about, they are cheap and your a hobbyist and your tolerances really don't mean $hit, so you can get a set of clamps for $15-$20 or a cheapo vice for under $50.00. No arrogance intended in what I'm spraying here, but more less hate it when I see these sales pitch's thrown at newbs who don't know their head from their @$$. It's like taking advantage of a poor old lady, it's pathetic. The only reason you'd even consider a puny machine like either of those is if you live in a apartment, then I guess that's the only thing you can do. Stop, look, and listen.

[hoss2006]

swbluto ignore the blowhard universalfab he obviously has a burr up his butt.

The X2 can cut steel and aluminum, any of the benchtop mills can for that matter,
You certainly don't need a 2500 pound behemoth kneemill for it.
If you can afford the G0704, it's a very nice mill with plenty of travel and cutting ability at <300 lbs.
I own 3 sizes of "chinese mills", the X2, G0704 and RF45. You can read about them here.
http://www.hossmachine.info/
I run Bridgeports for a living so I know how these machines compare to "real" equipment
and they all get the job done.
Plenty of us "hobbyists" are turning a nice buck with them too.
Give my newbie introduction a read, could help you out.
http://www.hossmachine.info/forum/ya...n-Newbies.aspx
Hoss

[eaglezsoar]

Good reply, Hoss. I have the Chinese junk and it performs well for my needs.

[hoss2006]

Good reply, Hoss. I have the Chinese junk and it performs well for my needs.

Yeah it's pointless to be so fanatical about where your equipment is made these days
if they do the job for you.
At least the money you make with them is still green.
Here's a pic that reminds me of universalfab for some reason.
Hoss

[TXFred]

! Clamps are the last thing you need to worry about, they are cheap and your a hobbyist and your tolerances really don't mean $hit.

This "hobbyist" uses his Chinese $hit to produce parts for a turbocharged motorcycle. This "hobbyist" thinks that tolerances are pretty bloody important.

Having said that, I'm going to go through this thread to the original post and see if I can answer any of the original poster's questions.

Fred

P.S. This "hobbyist" also runs Haas machines by day and teaches CNC to students in the evenings.

[TXFred]

The first mill that you linked to is the X2. It's available in many places. Be warned, quality control does vary, and Harbor Freight is pretty much the bottom of the barrel as far as that goes.

But for milling plastic, you will be just fine with it. The quality problems generally only show up once you stress the machine more by milling metals.

It can cut metal, but I consider the X2 to be the bare minimum necessary. If you want to cut metal, don't go with anything cheaper, and if possible go with something a little bigger and more rigid.

I would skip the second machine. It sounds tempting, doesn't it? A lathe and a mill and a drill press all in one. 3 in 1, right?

Except that it's really a 1/3 machine. 1/3 lathe, 1/3 mill, 1/3 drill press. So in each function, it is quite limited. I would steer clear of it and instead budget for a lathe at a later date.

Cheers, and I hope this helps to get past all the bad noise that appeared in response to your perfectly legitimate questions.

Fred

[hoss2006]

Looks like I missed all the fun while I was at work.
Hoss

[Rekd]

...I would skip the second machine. It sounds tempting, doesn't it? A lathe and a mill and a drill press all in one. 3 in 1, right?

Except that it's really a 1/3 machine. 1/3 lathe, 1/3 mill, 1/3 drill press. So in each function, it is quite limited. I would steer clear of it and instead budget for a lathe at a later date.

Fred

Excellent point. The first machine will do plastic and wood easily. If you think you want a little more, look around. There are some deals on industrial equipment that might fall into your budget.

As for causing problems based on someone using one machine or another; this ain't the place. If you have an issue with a machine/brand/manufacturer that's fine, just be grown-up about it. Thanks.