Desktop Mills

[ChrisD]

I've been looking at various model desktop mills from Roland to Sherline.

I am very interested in purchasing one for myself. Does anyone have any experience with these products? And can you offer any suggestions or dos and donts.

thanks

Chris

[Charles Davis]

Look at the stuff from Light machines also.

IMHO, for the same amount of money you can buy a Haas mini-mill, or a Prototrak retrofit on a conventional mill. With both of those, you'll get bigger HP, travel, and flexibility.

But, if you need a benchtop, you need a benchtop. Beware as some of these machines are OK for cutting plastic, but even aluminum over a period of time will shake and rattle them apart.

[Will Slota]

I agree with Charles. Haas mini-mill all the way. A friend has one in his garage and is running a successful side business with it. Luckily for me he also contracts out his code to me so I benefit as well.

[ChrisD]

Never heard of the MINI MILL before, read up on it and am very impressed. Any body got 30,000$.

As for the desktop mill ,It's just another toy that I want.

I think it would be fun to play around with.

and hopefully I could make a little money on the side with it.

[chad fisher]

Hello Chris! We happen to have 3 of the haas mini mills and there great so far. I seen that haas has them in a stripped down version for twenty thousand. Check out www.haasautomation.com plus i would imagine to say that this company will still be around thirty years from now, so if you would need replacement parts. They should be there.

[Charles Davis]

Not to pump up Haas too much, but they also have a toolroom mill for under $20K with the Haas control on it.

Depends on what you're doing, but a knee type mill with a good 3-axis cnc control is a very productive prototype/shortrun machine.

Haas or Prototrak