This is such a good forum, it's amazing other sites haven't followed Pro's lead here?
As a milling machine "virgin"
I've done more reading than posting, but reading this topic I was thinking the
Rong Fu sounds really good, so followed the urls to find it's the same as my mill
This mill seems to go under a lot of Pseudonyms, I wonder who really makes it?. Mine was purchased in the UK where we have a lot less choice of mills than the USA, (and higher prices / taxation). I think we probably have more access to supply of older Bridgeport machines but these are mostly always three phase, so would require single phase motors, and are by design huge, so although they maybe a better choice in the long I decided on the
Rong Fu. Mine is actually named SIP 30 and I have a brief preview of it included in my Radeon 9700 Cooler build project, (click pic).
I totally agree with
LiquidRulez comments it is a great tool, although it can be seen it's evidently made to a cost, which is understandable. Those considering it should be aware of the weight. There is NO way, (unless you won the strongest man contest), that you'd lift the thing on your own. Even two people would struggle, I had to use a car engine crane to assemble it as it wouldn't fit in one piece in my, (compact by American standards), estate car, (station wagon). I made a stand for it but it needs to be strong as it weighs in at nearly 400lbs (180kg)!
LiquidRulez I be interested in the CNC kits that can be used with it if you have any links or info, and you are correct the column, (I have a circular type, wasn't aware there was any other option), is a pain in the @$$, with recalibration).
I also really like the look of
morphling1's mill...... looks a real quality item.
Another thing that is true.... this is a HUGE money pit, you can keep throwing it in, but if you have a little ability it's worth it imo when you can spit stuff like this out:-
I'm getting better but so far two dead 5mm 4 flute end mills and one partially dead 5mm, and one dead 2mm also.
I've since made a milling lubrication / cooling system using / modifying a cheap parts washer.........appears to work really well.
For those that don't have the funds to throw at expensive mills, I could and did get by making good enough blocks with nothing more than basic hand tools if need be, as my original homemade "milling machine" was almost useless, details in sig link.