Per request, my shop

[gull wing]

As I said before this is a simple, basic setup(and old)mill, it serves my purposes well. You can still get these from the knife supply co's, there are other mills out there as well. I use mine to thin handle material or steel, cut flutes(with a balled cutter), slice titanium liners, cut jimping, etc.
Some tools come with the setup, but not all, had to make some of my own tools. A Pergreen VICE is a big(little :D ) help.

I also have a lathe, which I don't use much.

[SpyderNut]

Very nice setup there, Gull. Thank you much for sharing the pics. As I mentioned yesterday, I am strongly considering a Micro Mill for my knife making hobby. Are there any specific brands you prefer or can recommend? Any you would avoid? Thanks again for the pics!

[jmh58]

Nice!! Its one thing to have the proper tools and another on how to use them properly!! :D John :)

[gull wing]

Sherline is a very nice tool with lots of accessories.

Taig Tools is the type I have. (less costly, but with few accessories)

Google them! Good Luck!

[SpyderNut]

Thank you, Gull. I appreciate the info. I'll certainly do some searching. :) I'm amazed at what even the mini mills are capable of.

[SpeedHoles]

Very cool, thanks for posting this.

[Dr. Snubnose]

Gull Wing....Nice set up....almost like looking at knife porn there...LOL...Doc:)

[PayneTrain]

It's only natural to be excited by looking at tools, especially specialty tools like this. My y chromosomes are all aquiver right now. So many tools I want to add to my "shop", and a mill is definitely on the list. Currently I do everything with a 1x30 Harbor Freight special and an awful old Craftsman 3 wheel band saw. I hate that thing, but it beats the alternative 75% of the time. Everything else is done by hand. I don't even have a drill press yet! Can a mill like this act as a drill press?

[gull wing]

Yes you can do light drilling, but it would be like using your Porche to haul 2 x 4's from the lumber yard. You need a drill press.
Don't skimp with tools, wait, save, persevere till you can get decent tools.
:) It usually takes wives many years before they see the true value of tools.

*I saw a Harbor Freight MILL/DRILL in a cat, but I've had three tools from HF and they were less than satisfactory.

[jabba359]

I bought a Harbor Freight drill press. The next day I returned it without drilling a single hole. I knew it wasn't going to be great at the price point, but I didn't expect it to be such a pile of garbage. As soon as I pulled it out of the box, I knew it wasn't going to work for me. I'd much rather put that money into a more expensive, decent drill press. I'll probably try to find something used, seeing as how a lot of the new ones are junk out of China.

[SpyderNut]

I bought a Harbor Freight drill press. The next day I returned it without drilling a single hole. I knew it wasn't going to be great at the price point, but I didn't expect it to be such a pile of garbage. As soon as I pulled it out of the box, I knew it wasn't going to work for me. I'd much rather put that money into a more expensive, decent drill press. I'll probably try to find something used, seeing as how a lot of the new ones are junk out of China.

Yes, and sadly a lot of the even mid-line power tools are made in China too.