I've been thinking about the same sort of question for awhile now, and
have been following the newsgroup:
rec.crafts.metalworking
You might want to post your question there. I'm guessing that they will
consider the Sherline too small, but I'm far from even being
knowledgeable at this point.
A standard part of this group is the argument of new Chinese vs. old,
rebuildable American. The discourse seems to be along the lines of "If
you refurbishing an older machine you'll end up with better quality and
resale value than buying a new Chinese machine -- but finding the older
machine in good shape takes time and looking, and they are still not
cheap. So it is a little like car restoration, people who are purists
-- and patient or lucky -- have original while others have the more
modern copies. Among the importers, one company that seems to get good
marks is Grizzly, and they just came out with their 2000 catalog.
Marc Robertson
Derek Harling wrote:
>
> Need advice/recommendations.
>
> Some years ago, never having used a machine tool before, I bought a Taig
> micro-lathe. Since then have made or modified all kinds of things for my
> vintage race cars. Obviously mainly small parts - but I have gone "up to
> and beyond" the nominal capacity of the lathe by taking small cuts and s
> l o w feeds. Have even used the micro mill attachment quite a bit.
>
> And boy, is it nice to have more bench space by putting it back on the
> shelf when I've finished the job.
>
> Question
>
> I now need to make some suspension uprights from billet 6061. Biggest
> pieces would be maybe 6 x 4 x 1-1/2 and 4x4x5. Should I even consider a
> mini mill such as the Taig or Sherline? Obviously I'd need to take small
> cuts etc.
>
> Or do I need to spring for a $1000 "real" bench-top mill with R8 collets
> etc - such as stocked by most mail order people and local supply houses?
>
> I'm not even thinking about a 3-in-1 lathe-mill-drill; but if you think
> I should - pls tell me.
>
> Educate me.
>
> Derek
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