Recommendations - hobby mills

[fizzy]

I seem to be finding stuff now for some reason...
Arboga U2508, 2000€

Way up north in Rovaniemi though.

Do you have pallet networks in Finland? You must do. We can't help with that but you could look into it.
Just make sure you get photos of how it is packed first. A 120x120 pallet and bolted down.

 

[DennisCA]

There are some transport companies I could ask a quote for I guess, but I am not really in a position to actually buy anything right now, mostly just looking around because hey, it's hard not to look.

 

[DennisCA]

Also, this reminded me since not all Arbogas have got it, but I am pretty sure I want power feed capacity.

 

[fizzy]

Also, this reminded me since not all Arbogas have got it, but I am pretty sure I want power feed capacity.

Power feed not essential but very nice to have.

 

[DennisCA]

I constantly use the power feeds on my lathe and would hate to be without them. I don't think I could stomach a mill without it to be honest.

 

[addjunkie]

Lower cost and smaller mills, tend to only have feed left to right, not for and aft, or on the quill.

 

[DennisCA]

It might be worth not getting cheapest and first mill I come across yes.

Also learning about the eastern european alternatives / copies of deckels, might be an option too:
http://www.lathes.co.uk/stankoimport676/index.html

 

[DennisCA]

Ah, when you can't actually afford anything, that's when you find all the machines
http://www.se-datateknik.se/code/obj_sel.php?objID=247&lanID=1&catID=5

3100 euros for that, not sure if it's VAT included or not, doubt it.

 

[DennisCA]

Doing research currently, wanting to learn more about the Schaublin 13 in particular right now. I've noticed the later models seem to have this "power box":
https://www.machinio.com/listings/27605448-milling-schaublin-13-1897-in-harlev-denmark

While this older machine does not have that:
https://www.machineseeker.com/Universal-milling-machine-Schaublin-13/i-1267781

So what's the reason for this power box, why does it take so much space? Does it contain electronics perhaps? But for what, does it have some CNC functions built in? lathes.co.uk doesn't mention these things and googling hasn't turned up any concise explanatons of the differences between models.

I see the newer models also have a coolant tank ont he back, it looks like it's integrated into the unit more compactly in the older version, at least I assume the motor in the corner is a coolant pump.

 

[DennisCA]

Found a manual for the earlier models here, does seem it's a coolant pump. The newer models also had more travel and other improvements, the old models weighed 440kg vs 740kg too, either one should be moveable I think with a shop crane. If they can be lifted like that.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxr59DtuJda_Y3FtWmtYaGZRa0E/view

Good info here http://anglo-swiss-tools.co.uk/schaublin-13-milling-machine/

 

[addjunkie]

I would say that power box as you call it has been retro fitted. And probably contains electrical gubbins to perhaps run the coolant and lamp at a different voltage, or the relays for emergency stops etc.

 

[MBB]

Its just a box with the electric supply from the mains to the machine I had a Deckel FP2 with one which I discarded and ran the mill through an inverter. The motor was inside the column of the mill which gave me a bit of a problem. The motor on the FP1 was a two speed motor , very large I replaced that and ran it off a inverter also. The Deckels are more versatile than the Schablins. the FP2 has power feeds on all axis including the horizontal ram and has quill feed to the vertical head, same with the FP1 excluding power feed to the ram which the Shaublins don't have. I would rather have a Deckel than a Schaublin or a Deckel clone.

 

[DennisCA]

Yes the deckel might be the ideal machine but then again I might not have that wide a choice of machines, so I figure I best research the alternatives I prefer the most. Which is 1. Deckel 2. Schaublin. 3. ????

I think a Schaublin would still be a great mill for me I think even if the deckels are better. But again I might end up with something less equipped than either of these, the VF600 despite it's simplicity is still an option if the price is right.

I have 3phase in my garage so I shold be able to run these mills from the outlet without any fuss.

 

[DennisCA]

There is an SV-12 for sale in sweden for 2300€ but I think it's a different beast entirely to the 13. In order to speed up the funding I have my Benelli M1 for sale locally.

 

[dobbslc]

I googled that thinking it was a bike!

 

[MBB]

Run a add on workshop.org and see what turns up.
https://www.homeworkshop.org.uk/

 

[fizzy]

Yes the deckel might be the ideal machine but then again I might not have that wide a choice of machines, so I figure I best research the alternatives I prefer the most. Which is 1. Deckel 2. Schaublin. 3. ????

I think a Schaublin would still be a great mill for me I think even if the deckels are better. But again I might end up with something less equipped than either of these, the VF600 despite it's simplicity is still an option if the price is right.

I have 3phase in my garage so I shold be able to run these mills from the outlet without any fuss.

Sometimes people with 3 phase choose to fit an inverter for ease of use and extra control.

 

[Arc Tourist]

I recall reading about someone's favourite used machine tool dealer in Norway called " Leknes Maskin ", which sells smaller machines at a fair price. Perhaps its not too far away from you ?

 

[DennisCA]

I'll keep them in mind. Right now I am currently conflicted... If I should invest in a surface plate now, or wait with that whole business until after I have acquired mill.

A surface plate and learning to scrape might be handy when buying second hand machinery and the whole process is definietly fascinating and intruiging. Though one could live with a worn mill for some time and go for that afterwards. From Germany I have found a new 450x450x100mm plate for 285€ shipped and including VAT, which is a tempting price for a plate that size, chinese import plate though, supposed to be DIN876 / 00 grade.

This is the problem with saving up, there's always something else to put the money into. Discipline....

 

[Arc Tourist]

The discipline I've followed in my life is to buy only what's needed at the time its needed, and be confident that I can at least recover my investment if it's unlikely that the item will ever be needed in the future. Of course nowadays good quality new or used manually operated machines and tools have become more and more difficult to find at reasonable prices, Now I make purchases based on how scarce the item I'm looking for may be, and my thoughts on how hard it might be to find and acquire it in the future.