[TheForge] OT - Advise needed on mini machine tool

[sos at frii.com]

Hi Bruce,

I can't answer your question directly, but I did once own a Rong Fu RF40
mill-drill. It made a good drill press, an uncertain mill. Here is one
site that shows an RF40:
http://www.smidgie.com/928/machineshop/rf40/

I bought it used. When I bought it, I wanted to see how it would do on
steel, so I asked the guy to take a cut on the steel I'd brought. I put in
my 1/2" end mill and he said something like "well, that steel has scale on
it, so we're going to have to take a really aggressive cut--0.050" deep".
The mill limped through this 'tremendous' cut, and I bought it, not
knowing any better.

The next mill I bought was a Van Norman #12, a very nice machine if you
can live without a quill feed. With this mill I felt very comfortable
cutting a 3/8" deep slot with a 3/4" end mill.

As James says, rigidity is very important, and it depends on what you're
going to do with the machine.

Steve

> I intend to start working on a project requiring some machining of
> parts.  This would be prototyping, not production.  I have used a
> vertical milling machine and (minimally) a turret lathe, but do not
> consider myself a machinist.
>
> I''m thinking of acquiring a lathe/mill combination tool like the one
> below.   I'd appreciate comments back from folks who know about this
> brand or similar machines.
>
> http://www.boltonhardware.com/category/bolton-tools/combo-lathe-mill/5-x-7-mini-combo-lathe-mill.php
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Bruce
> NJ
>
> The total lack of evidence is the surest sign that the conspiracy is
> working.
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