Milling machine for various riflesmithing

[dorg]

I am on the look out for a milling machine mainly for making adjustable cheek pieces and inletting work. I am new to metal work and would ask for any advise on machines and useful attachments. I have been looking and how useful is powered movement on the table and 3 axis dro. H ow powerful a motor is normal are any of the smaller machines any use, and how much travel in the table is needed. Which machines do you experts use?

[Vermincinerator]

If you have the room and a few grand to spend get a Bridgeport, they are arguably the best vertical mill on the market.

You will need a phase convertor unless you have a 3 pahse supply.

Depending on model, motors can be 1.5 to 2.0 HP with variable speed or belt drive, with rpm ranging from 50-3000.

They have a 42" table and i believe 26" inches of travel

A heavy duty 6" swivel base vice is a must for secure work holding

Power table feed is a nice luxury you dont need but you get anyway on the Bridgeport, digital readout is very useful on a mill but i would learn to use the dials with DR as a back up unless you are plotting coordiantes.

Also invest in quality tooling, cheap tooling will end up giving you a cheap looking job.

 

Ian.

[Lee]

I did my engineering milling training on bridgeport milling machines. They are not bad but you may have trouble getting one in good nick. They are a good medium size so are highly saught after as they fit into a medium garage workshop. I have used other mills and so far one of my favourtes has been an AJAX milling machine and I personaly think is more solid than bridgeport, they are a big machine and very solid/sturdy which is something which is very important. I have since been told by a good source that XYZ milling machines are very good solid machines for the money and are about the size of the bridgeports. I have not had a go on one yet.