[Pjblues1]

I am thinking of purchasing one of these machines, Mill Turn for my home hobby only use.

Assuming I was a machinist 25 years ago and actually programmed NCs will this be difficult to work with? Are they heavy duty for hobby type work? As an example can I take a .25 depth of cut with a 1/2" end mill at a reasonable feed rate? I am just trying to understand would I go with this machine since it has the advantage of operating manually and CNC or just go with manual machines?

Thanks.

[BlackICE1]

I am thinking of purchasing one of these machines, Mill Turn for my home hobby only use.

Assuming I was a machinist 25 years ago and actually programmed NCs will this be difficult to work with? Are they heavy duty for hobby type work? As an example can I take a .25 depth of cut with a 1/2" end mill at a reasonable feed rate? I am just trying to understand would I go with this machine since it has the advantage of operating manually and CNC or just go with manual machines?

Thanks.

I take a .25 depth of cut with a 1/2" end mill at a reasonable feed rate?

At what WOC?

In wood or plastic yes, in steel NFW.

[Pjblues1]

Thanks for the heads up. I really wanted to take the cut in steel. I guess this does not work so well.

[instructor37]

I am thinking of purchasing one of these machines, Mill Turn for my home hobby only use.

Assuming I was a machinist 25 years ago and actually programmed NCs will this be difficult to work with? Are they heavy duty for hobby type work? As an example can I take a .25 depth of cut with a 1/2" end mill at a reasonable feed rate? I am just trying to understand would I go with this machine since it has the advantage of operating manually and CNC or just go with manual machines?

Thanks.

PJ,
You need to give more info for a reasonable answer. 0.25 DOC in steel can be done, but at a very slow feed rate and with the sfm properly calculated. A "reasonable" feed rate depends on the machine HP- the Shopmaster is 2 HP, so it's reasonable rate will be far less than a 5 or 10HP machine.

[Pjblues1]

Thanks, I guess I am looking for a reasonable opinion about the machine. I am a woodworker who does a little bit of machining, only as a hobby. I currently have a 3 hp CNC router for wood and wanted something that could do metal machining. I am fascinated by CNC machines. I was hoping people could weigh in as to their opinion of the ShopMaster Patriot. Would they purchase it again? I just used the .25 depth of cut in steel as an example of how rigid the machine would be at the correct SFM. Otherwise I am going to go get a Smithy Granite 1340 and do things manually.

Thanks.

[instructor37]

I know the Shopmaster has full manual functions as well, and those Chinese 3 in1 machines like the Smithy generally have poor reviews for their milling capabilities. If you are looking in the 5-6K range, and milling is your primary goal, then I would look to Grizzly for a variety of milling machines with good capacities. Tormach offers the 440 machine at a base price of 5K, but realistically you will be up around 9K to fit it out for any sort of operation.

[Pjblues1]

Your right on the Tormach 440. I priced one at $8K for what I wanted. Anyways, thanks for the advice. I do want a mill and lathe for just doing hobby type of work, most likely 3 - in 1 because I will not use them that much. I am not interested in starting a business. I am a woodworker that came over from the machining side of manufacturing.

[Pjblues1]

Do you happen to know what the horsepower for the Shopmaster machines is?

[RussellCofID]

Do you happen to know what the horsepower for the Shopmaster machines is?

Listed as 2 HP, but many say the actual torque capability (if that is the right wording) of the drive can be quite a bit less. I have an older ShopTask rated at 1/2 HP and it works OK, but you must move sloooooly in everything you do.

[n1tr0]

Would they purchase it again?

I don't have any experience with the Patriot, but I did buy a 2015 Mill-Turn Shopmaster and I would NOT recommend the machine or the company. Contact me in private if you want more details as any negative post is quickly removed or buried on this forum.

[thoroco]

I purchased the Mill Turn in May of this year. I like it for what I do. It does hold a tolerance of 0.001 consistently. It does cut much better than my SB9 and much quieter,
You will have to check every nut and bolt on it when you get it. You will have to make sure they send you ALL the updated and changed documentation. It appears that the MFG has changed some specs and not forwarded these to Shopmaster.

If you take the time to set this up properly in the beginning and check all the screws nuts bolts you'll have a much better outcome. I was cutting good parts a week after I got it.

Would I buy this machine again at this price point , Yes. If you expect this to be a 25K Haas you'll be disappointed. If you expect it to be a 6k chinese Mill/lathe you'll be surprised how good it is.

Setup and prep is the key. get an assortment of set screws. They seem not to know what nose type to use where.

[Pjblues1]

Now I really like your posting. This is fantastic to go to such detail information.
Thanks.

[csledbetter]

I posted a review of my 2019 ShopMaster Mill Turn here: https://www.hobby-machinist.com/thre...-owners.35771/
I think it is a good hobby machine, and I get accurate parts (0.001 tolerances) and good finishes on 1020 low carbon steel from it using carbide inserts. Like any Chinese mill/lathe, you have to be ready to put some effort into setup and mods to get accurate parts, and you have to remember that it does NOT have the rigidity of a commercial machine and keep the cut depth and stepover within reason for a 2 hp 1150 lb machine. A 0.25" axial depth of cut (ap) with a 1/2" carbide end mill is possible, but your idea of "reasonable feed rate" might have to be challenged. I use GWizard for my feed/speed calculations using the settings for smaller hobby mills and it says the feed rate for a slot at that depth in mild steel would be 4.682 ipm at 2012 RPM. I know from experience that I can trust this recipe on the Mill Turn. So is 4.682 ipm a "reasonable feed rate"? If I was trying to create a 1/2" slot in steel at that depth, I would use a smaller end mill and use an HSM tool path from Fusion 360 instead of just cranking the 1/2" end mill straight through. But either way, yes the Mill Turn can make that cut.