Projects In Metal, LLC

Topic RSS

New Mill in transit

September 9, 2010
7:00 AM

Fabrickator

Senior Member

Forum Posts: 223

Member Since:
August 26, 2010

Offline

Disclaimer: I am not a manufacturer or dealer, but the new High Torque Mini Mill is finally off the boat and headed to the LittleMachine Shop. This is basically a customized Sieg that has been tweeked to their specs with belt drive and a larger table than the competitors. I pick one up next week and I'll be sure to keep you posted how it works after I get it set up.

http://littlemachineshop.com/p…..p;category

You can walk with a wooden leg but you can't see with a glass eye. Always use Eye Protection!

September 9, 2010
7:32 AM

Tyler

Seattle, WA

Admin

Forum Posts: 1535

Member Since:
January 9, 2009

Offline

No worries Fabrickator, your announcement is exactly how I intended this section of the forum to be used. Thanks for keeping us informed and thanks for the link. I'm sure Chris Woods from LMS will appreciate the free press!

Please let us know how you like the mill once you've had a chance to use it.

NOTE: I work full time and I'm attending college full time as well. So if it takes me a few days to respond, please don't take it personally. If it's urgent please send me a Private Message.

REMEMBER: You need to subscribe to your posts so that you'll receive an e-mail update when a member replies.
If you are having trouble posting pictures, be sure to visit the FAQ section of the forum for instructions.
If you are having trouble viewing the forum posts, consider trying a different browser like Firefox or Chrome.

September 24, 2010
1:02 PM

Fabrickator

Senior Member

Forum Posts: 223

Member Since:
August 26, 2010

Offline

The good news is I picked up the new mill this week. I'm not used to these little guys and so I have nothing to compare it to. I've used the larger combo units (green tank, Wooly?) and I've used the bigger, bechtop Taiwan model before. My first impression is that this is a nice, compact package. The quality of finish looks pretty darn good for the money and when I fired it up it was really quiet and smooth. As I was going through my box of parts/add ons and start-up kit, I remember how much I hate cosmoline and rice paper wrapping that they pack it in. The good thing was, no rust anywhere. The bad thing was it took about a pint of lacquer thinner to get it all off and three handwashing to rid my hands of the smell.

I started by setting up the power feeder with no problems until I went to install the stops. The front table groove on the little guy must be smaller than the larger machine it was really meant for. The "round nuts" had to be machined for all dimensions; diameter, thickness, and the flats reduced (glad I had a lathe handy). Then, the actual stops were sized for a wider groove too and so my first milling operation was to narrow them to fit the groove. Anyway, I got it all working. Now I have to find some time to start a project other than setup!

You can walk with a wooden leg but you can't see with a glass eye. Always use Eye Protection!

September 24, 2010
2:02 PM

ironring1

Vancouver, BC

Senior Member

Forum Posts: 430

Member Since:
July 23, 2010

Offline

Great to hear about the new acquisition, Fabrikator. I used to use a ton of solvent to clean up new machine tools until a friend of mine suggested that I try kerosene. MAGIC!!! Just go to your local department/camping supply store (e.g. Canadian Tire up here in the great white north) and pick up a can of it. You don't need much, and it totally dissolves the packing grease.

September 26, 2010
12:00 AM

Fabrickator

Senior Member

Forum Posts: 223

Member Since:
August 26, 2010

Offline

Yes, I've used Jet A (highly refined kerosene) before. I've managed one or another of the commercial jet fuel storage facilities at So Cal airports for the past 20 years. I never thought about taking some home though. I've used it before in my ex-solvent tank that I used for cleaning up automotive parts. It works great and it was free. I lean towards LT for my "go to" solvent. I don't like the smell of paint thinner or the oily residue it leaves. I reserve MEK for special occasions because it's very nasty stuff.

You can walk with a wooden leg but you can't see with a glass eye. Always use Eye Protection!

October 4, 2010
8:55 AM

Fabrickator

Senior Member

Forum Posts: 223

Member Since:
August 26, 2010

Offline

I decided to post a pic of the milll after final set up (well, for now). Due to space confinements, I have it mounted on the bed of my 600 pound, cast iron, Oliver wood lathe.

I've also just completed developing a dedicated space for my little Atlas 6" lathe. I've had a built in bench (built by others) that was 41" tall and 32" deep, almost useless. I recently disected it from the built-ins and chopped it down to a more useable 36" work height and reinstalled it. The depth was excessive too, and so I built in sliding doors to protect my hardware supply storage from chips and dust. I haven't mounted the shelf inside yet until I figure out the ideal height. I lined the entire area in white hardboard to reflect more light and keep it clean. Tyler, note that I'm using your cookie sheet "chip tray" idea.

Lastly, I thought I'd throw in a pic of my long-time neglected measuring tools. Seems like the one that's got the most use for the past 20 years is the cheapo Cen-Tech cailper because it's digital and provides metric measurments when working with my Honda stuff.

Mics are labeled, 2- 6"calipers, 0-6" Starrett depth mic set, complete set of inside & small hole gauges, indicol and .0005 dial indicator, various straight edges and inside/outside feeler calipers. 2-dial indicators with mighty mags and/or 2-adjustable mag bases (not shown).

You can walk with a wooden leg but you can't see with a glass eye. Always use Eye Protection!

December 1, 2010
9:49 AM

JohnLawson

Tacoma, WA

Senior Member

Forum Posts: 181

Member Since:
February 8, 2010

Offline

Some of the nicest things about this site are the peek-a-boos into other peoples shops. When I compare them to mine, I am somewhat ahsmed at the clutter I kinda push aside to get at a tool.

My old partner used to say that a shop neatly appointed and clean to a fault was a sign of a mental disorder. Dunno. Whatcha think?

December 13, 2010
9:55 AM

Fabrickator

Senior Member

Forum Posts: 223

Member Since:
August 26, 2010

Offline

Yes, I've definetly got a mental disorder! Have you been talking to my wife? Laugh

I like things put in their place so I can find them when I need them. But generally, when I'm working on a project I end up with a big plile of tools and stuff and put it all away when I'm done.

You can walk with a wooden leg but you can't see with a glass eye. Always use Eye Protection!

April 23, 2011
11:38 PM

Titaniumboy

Senior Member

Forum Posts: 322

Member Since:
October 10, 2010

Offline

Fabrickator,

Now that some time has passed, what are your thoughts on your mini-mill?

April 24, 2011
6:58 AM

Chris

Member

Forum Posts: 46

Member Since:
April 2, 2011

Offline

I'd say I'm a little mental too. I have made drawer after drawer after drawer in my shop for the storage of tools near the tools they are mostly used at and still at the end of the day there are tools everywhere. I try to put stuff away as I'm done but for the stuff that is still out the next day i use the "Rule of 10" when I come in I put at least 10 tools away and pick up and debris from the previous day if I didn't do it that day. It's something that has helped me with my woodworking projects in the past too.