Milling Machine - Pictures added

[stewart]

Hi all
Not quite woodwork, I know, but I've got the chance to acquire a milling machine and a metalwork lathe (a Myford) - do either of them have a use for the home woodworker?? I can't convince myself that they do - unless I get into making metal planes or use the milling machine to flatten the soles of the planes I already have (assuming that's possible...?) - I love coming to things from a standpoint of almost complete ignorance!
Any got any views?

 

[Benchwayze]

I wouldn't hesitate. Buy them if you can afford to. There are countless uses for them in a woodworker's shop.

To make certain aluminium parts for jigs I used a router, mounted overhead. With a 'cross-slide' beneath, it worked well, within limitations. I used metal cutting bits, of course. Just made sure they would fit the collet. No problem!

Mind you, a proper milling machine would have been better.
Go for it. You might later regret it if you don't.
John

 

[jonbikebod]

Hi Stewart,
Both machines can be found in the workshops of many cabinet makers. They do both have a role in making jigs and tools but less for directly making things with wood.
You can turn wood on a metalworking lathe but having made a couple of handles and things I got a proper woodturning lathe for that sort of thing.
If you read Robert Ingham’s book you will find him extolling the virtues of a milling machine because it can accurately position in three planes. You can use router bits in a suitable collet.
I like making tools and mending old ones and would love to have a metal working end mill to complement my old Southbend Lathe.
In your shoes I would be after them like a shot.
One reason why that sort of purchase can be so good is both machines become more versatile, the more accessories they have. When bought new, you have to buy these extra. Second hand they are usually included and could easily be worth more than the bare machine.
Jon.

 

[Benchwayze]

Agree with Jon...

One day when you want to make some tiny, drawer knobs from brass, or imitation ivory, you will find the lathe a boon. You can even turn some of the harder woods on a Myford metal-working lathe; and think of all the threaded rod you won't have to buy, because you can make your own!

John ccasion5:

 

[Philly]

Stewart
With those two machines (plus your woodwork stuff) there is probably nothing that you could not build - so well worth getting if the price is right.
Hope this helps
Philly

 

[Fecn]

I'd take them in a second if the price was right - With a lathe and a mill you can make pretty much anything.

My woodworking efforts are largely a by-product of my love of power tools and machinery.

If the price is good and you decide for some reason that you don't want them, can you PM me with the details

 

[dickm]

If the price is good and you decide for some reason that you don't want them, can you PM me with the details

... and if you can post the milling machine up to Aberdeen, let me know

Seriously, until you've used a metal lathe, you don't realise how versatile they are; within the 3.5inch centre height, the only limit is your ingenuity. Wiith a mill as well, you're in clover.
And like I said in another post, compared to wood lathes, you get infinitely more precision for your money with even a slightly worn metal lathe.

Go for it.

 

[9fingers]

Go for it Stewart. I don't think you will regret it and even so both types of machines have a good resale value should you find you dont use them.

Whole new slope with a different direction in metal working!!

I've a separate workshop dedicated to metal ( can I admit that here?) and been making swarf for 30 years

Good Luck

Bob

 

[jasonB]

Even if you don't use the mill for milling it will make a good accurate drill press and as others have said good for spacing holes and slots accuratly in jigs, what model/make is it.

The lathe again will be handy for making knobs, feet in both wood, plastic and metal, even hinges are possible. You could also mount a sanding disc to the faceplate and have a decent disc sander(just keep the abrasive away from the ways)

The only problem is you may get the metalworking bug, I am spending most of my spare time in the metal shop and not doing much hobby woodworking, This is the latest project, and these are some old ones.

Jason

 

[Lord Nibbo]

I wish I still had a metalwork lathe and a milling machine, there are lots of things it would be handy for for use in woodwork.

Here is something I made at work (20 years ago) before I sold my company :lol:

The cigarette lighter is to give you some idea as to scale. It's made from solid bronze, the wheels were milled from 2 1/2" round steel bar.

 

[bob_c]

You can mill shape hard ,heavy exotic timbers with the milling machine also.

 

[OPJ]

I used a lathe at college before Christmas to turn some nylon knobs for a box we had to make. I'd have preferred to turn something from solid timber personally :roll: , but the importance was in learning how to use one of these machines and to give you an idea of just how useful they can be to have around.

I'm sure you'll find endless uses for it in jig-making and other things. If not, I'm sure one of us would happily take it off your hands! :wink:

 

[stewart]

Ok, ok! I'm convinced - another slope beckons... Seriously, thanks for all the advice and all the demonstrations of what can be done with a metal lathe and milling machine. The price is certainly right - but I need to rework my entire layout in the workshop. It's a single garage that I'd just got set up nicely with enough space to move around in and cope with fairly large pieces of mdf as the house needs lots of bookcases and units and mdf is what we can afford to use at the moment. If I squeeze in a milling machine and a lathe that's most of the floor space gone:

All the machines are on castors except for the drill press in the corner so I could put the metalworking machines down the west wall - there are storage shelves on the wall between the drill presses but I could probably rework them (a shame as I had only just finished them!).

I couldn't see a make on the milling machine but it does take up a lot of space - on about a par with the space taken up by my planer thicknesser.

Sadly the management has ruled out an extension on the north wall as it will encroach on the vegetable patch

Guess I'll have to take your advice and take both machines and see if the use justifies keeping them. I'll only regret it if I don't.

Will keep you posted.

 

[dchallender]

Stewart

I would echo the views of everyone here, however I'm a model engineer first and then a wood worker, I have quite a large industrial lathe and milling machine and I find them invaluable. In fact my lathe is out of commission at the moment (due to moving house) and I'm desperate to get it working again as I use it all the time when wood working.

My only bit of advice would be that because of the inherent moisture content of wood and the presence of tannins you need to be careful with the slideways of the lathe and also the milling machine with respect to corrosion and the presence of dust.

Also if you've been offered a Myford then they are seen as the creme de la creme in the model engineering fraternity and if you decide it's the wrong decision you'll definitely get your money back and maybe a little profit!

 

[9fingers]

Hi Stewart,

One further thought, try and pick up as much tooling as you can as part of the deal. These will cost you dear to buy separately especially Myford bits as anything with the name on attracts silly money.

3 and 4 jaw chucks, drill chuck for the tailstock and any 3/8 sq tool bits for the lathe and a drill chuck, milling vice and as many cutters as you can get for the mill. Tee nuts and clamps for the mill will be useful too.

When you get the lathe, going there is an invaluable book 'the amateur's lathe' by Sparey. That and Ian Bradleys ML7 Lathe Manual are essential reading. They are popular and go in and out of print but you should be able to find copies.

I am a mechanical engineer first and hobby woodworker second. If I can be of any help in the future, please let me know and I'll try and let you down the slope gently.

Bob

 

[stewart]

Thanks, dc and Bob. Further confirmation if it was needed!

I've already ordered the ML7 book - one of the kids can give it to me for my fortieth next weekend...if I can keep from opening it until then! Thanks for tip about the Sparey book as well. Any suggestions for a milling machine instruction book?

Thanks for the offer of assistance, Bob. The only experience I have of metal working was a complete failure to braze two bits of metal into a cross when I was 11 at secondary school! But I can see the uses for woodworking and jig making and just having fun.

The price is right because they belong to my mother's partner's father who sadly is moving into a home as he is terminally ill. He's just glad for them to go to a good home and he has lots of accessories as well - I think it'll take me as long to work out what they are as to actually learn how to use them.

 

[9fingers]

Hi Stewart,

Try 'Vertical Milling in the home workshop' by Arnold Throp
ISBN0 85242-843-x It is only slim book 93 pages but covers the basics.

HTH

Bob

 

[stewart]

Thanks, Bob
Will do!

 

[dickm]

Only further comment is to echo the earlier one about dust and damp. Whatever you do, get a proper cover for the metalworking machines. They have lots of nooks and crannies into which tannin laden dust can get and cause 'orrible rusting. Myford do an (expensive, but worth it) fitted cover for their 7 series lathes, and maybe you could interest SWMBO in designing a fitted cover for the mill

 

[stewart]

Thanks for the tip about the ready made cover, Dick. As for getting a cover made for the milling machine I suppose I'd have more luck with that than an extension, though I know what I'd prefer!