Milling machines?

[Blaze]

Anyone have one? I want one some kinda bad. I'm trainined to do machine work, but I haven't done it in years. I'm getting tired of buying stupid little **** for my Trans Am that I could easily make myself for a fraction of the cost.

Plus, I have lots of designs I want to make (I'm a design engineer, always coming up with ideas) for my cars/trucks.

I figure $1000 is about the cheapest I'll be able to get out with one. I wish I could find a small benchtop one, but seems like all the ones I can afford are big guys.

I'd love to lease a 5-axis CNC machine, but I have a feeling my wallet will axe that idea.

 

[rdn2blazer]

You can find mills for a grand, they will be beaters but will do the job none the less. A decent to good mill will be in the 2500 up range. I really nice mill is in the 4K and up range. I want one sooooo bad it hurts, BUT, We have a small machine shop at work with two mills & lathes I use every day. I WILL but or lease a small tool room cnc mill one day. After my truck is paid off more them likely. I had a lathe for about three years, sold it to buy a larger machine then never bought another one. Used the money to bay bills . So I deal with not having one since as was said have access at work. Good luck finding one, post pics if ya get one.

 

[ryoken]

subscribed....

 

[Blaze]

I know, my last three jobs I had access to a complete machine shop, but not at this one. Ever since I moved into a strictly engineering firm, I've lost access to my machining tools.

I need a drill press anyway, so maybe I can justify a mill that way.

I think once I sell off my 91 Formula and pay off my wife's truck, I can sneak some of the fat income tax refund we'll be getting towards something like this.

****, I can probably knock out some f-body shift sticks and make my money back.