Get a used Bridgeport or that type of machine,.............
The smaller mills will only frustrate you. It's much better to have more mill than you need, ...........
Check Local machinery dealers, FB & Craigslist.
I agree whole heartedly with this advise.
Avoid the cheap-import stuff (Grizzly?
), as this will in the end prove to be just that!
I wouldn't say you can't, but, you can't buy to big a unit (that is, and have it fit in your garage that is!
) that is unless your solely taking up watch making; so in trying to determine just how big a unit you'll need, figure out what table surface area and traverse distance you 'think' you'll need and multiply this by at least one and one-half times, if not by two, and I assure one day it'll still prove not big enough!
We have two Bridge-Port brand 'knee-mills' ("table-top" units are to small for anything other than 'tinkering'
) in our shop, nice units, one from an equipment dealer, the other at an auction.
As far as self-moving them, at perhaps a couple thousand pounds, if you don't have the proper equipment (like I do!
) just rent the necessary equipment to move it safely, a truck and or trailer (now might be when it pays to have friends!
), a fork-lift and or pallet-jack; they're not that expensive (at least not where I'm at). And though not difficult, be sure to understand the proper procedure in handling them (most importantly: center of gravity!)
Scott.
