[DPG]

Gentlemen,
I need a mini mill for gunsmithing operations. Chores will include bolt fluting, cutting brakes and handles, and engraving barrels. I would like a complete system. However, I may decide to build if costs are too high. Money is tight now (but I'll spend what's necessary). I would greatly appreciate some suggestions.

Thanks

[jalessi]

DPG,

What is your budget?

Welcome to the Zone,

Jeff...

[DPG]

DPG,

What is your budget?

Welcome to the Zone,

Jeff...

Jeff, as I said money's tight. Frankly, filling the gas tank has been a challenge lately. I need to fill my needs as economically as possible. I don't know what that is. Bear with me, I am a complete novice.

[Crevice Reamer]

Hi DPG. Welcome to the Zone!

Are you thinking manual or CNC?

What machining experience do you have?

CR.

[DPG]

CNC. Can't imagine engraving (writing) by hand. My milling experience is limited to gunsmithing (rifle building) chores. Threading, chambering, boring, turning etc on the lathe. Milling duties have included stock work, drilling, tapping, fly cutting.... I am confident I could build what I need. My cnc experience has been limited to the tasks mentioned before, cutting muzzle brakes, fluting bolts, and engraving barrels with caliber etc. This is a very brief description.

My google search has led me to the Taig. I have used this mill and found it adequate. It is perhaps a bit small. Any feedback on this mill?

Thanks for the welcomes!

[Crevice Reamer]

Best CNC mill bang-for-buck. Taig long table with Gecko electronics. $1700 plus slight assembly and it's ready to make chips:

http://deepgroove1.com/cncmill.htm

CR.

[DPG]

Best CNC mill bang-for-buck. Taig long table with Gecko electronics. $1700 plus slight assembly and it's ready to make chips:

http://deepgroove1.com/cncmill.htm

CR.

Thanks, I'll look at your site! How about a rotary axis?

[Crevice Reamer]

Yep that's there also, and a trunnion table that could be 5 axis.

CR.

[DPG]

Yep that's there also, and a trunnion table that could be 5 axis.

CR.

Lookin' now, thanks!

[DPG]

CR, looks perfect. How about a 4 jaw independant instead of the three jaw chuck? Just didn't see one.

[Crevice Reamer]

Uh, do you want a mill or a lathe?

Both Taig and Sherline use the same spindle threads. Between the two of them, you can almost find anything you want. For example, you could probably attach the taig 4 jaw lathe chuck to the mill.

OH! Forgot about the 4th axis. Yeah, it's available at Taig.

http://www.taigtools.com/c1030.html

BTW, the 4th axis that DG1 sells is a Sherline, and one of the best small CNC RTs available. You can do a better price though by buying the barebones CNC axis from a Sherline discounter and just bolting on your own Keling $28 KL23H256-21-8B 185 or $39 KL23H276-28-4B 270 or $49 KL23H2100-35-4B 381oz stepper.

http://www.discountcampus.com/cgi-bi...KI8iw2ENJoV6zK

http://kelinginc.net/NEMA23Motor.html

CR.

[DPG]

Perfect. I want a mill. Will be used much like a lathe though. I want the four jaw and a steady rest so I can dial in. The one I used before was set up this way. Seem to remember some shop made mounting plates...

[Crevice Reamer]

These guys make some custom accessories:

http://a2zcnc.com/machinetools.asp

CR.