Rail Road Model Milling Machine

[Anonymous]

Which small milling machine on the market today would be the best to use for making brass parts and why?

Also a horizontal lathe to go along with it.

Thanks.

[Allen Jenkins]

An ole'timer about the World of Kalmbach, has been http://www.unimat.homestead.com/ . Hear's the history of The Unimat Lathe, the standard tool display of this multi-tasking mill. A Google search of the name, brought 19,400 entries. The history of Model Railroader, and it's clones, are riff with the results, of the which we call "scratchbuilding." Always use personal protective equipment (PPE), And professional shop practicies, when using power tools, and Work Safe! ACJ.

[Anonymous]

I did not know of this machine before now. And thanks for the link Allen. Gives me another line of research. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Sherline makes top-quality milling machines and lathes.
http://www.sherline.com/

[bcammack]

Second that vote for Sherline equipment.

[Anonymous]

Will check out Sherline. What about Taig or Microlux? Worth considering?

[Anonymous]

I have a Sherline 4400 lathe and a 5400 milling machine. They work fine for me.
Consider what accessories and attachments come with the unit and availability of replacement parts when shopping for these machines.

[Anonymous]

I want one that has the most capabilities. I want to be able to make parts as needed for brass models as well as the plastic and diecast.

[Anonymous]

Greengoose1,
As a tool & die maker of 25 years, I know there is a joke you need to know to use these type machines:
Oly & Sven were new to Lar's Tool & Die Company. At lunch on the 1st day Oly looked over to Sven and said: Sven, dem tousands of an inch is so small! Sven said: Ya, Oly dey are, you can't even see dem, I wonder how many der are in an inch? Oly said: Ders lots, der must be millions of um!

At one time we had a Max-I-Mat lathe and mill combo. It was a better lathe than mill and not real good at either, but would likely work very well for Model RR. I would look at used machines if you have companies like this in your area. There may be used machine brokers on the internet that could serve you, also.

Looking at Micro Mark's Catalog at the MicroLux line they carry:

The lathe appears to come with a three jaw chuck. I would add a 4 jaw chuck. I used a steady or follower rest very little and I can't see where you would need a tool post grinder for Model RR

The Mill also looks usable and I would add a good vice and clamping set to the inventory. I never used an rotary indexing table. However, boring bars and various mill cutters are needed. You will also need a test indicator to true your set-ups.

Hope I have been helpful!

Mark

[Anonymous]

My machine is a Harbor Freight Mini Mill, it trams OK and the X axis is about .001" in a foot, has a quill feed and speed controlled reversable spindle control. The weight is around 100 lbs. an advantage I believe over the small cute ones that may weigh less than 20 pounds. I would recommend taking the slides apart and cleaning them.
Roger Aultman

[Anonymous]

I have used a Taig mini lathe for many many years, I have made lots of detail partsand fittings with it. It is accurate for most uses, I used it to make nn3 wheels etc, stacks and an ocassional brake wheel in large scale. At the time I purchased the Taig it was the best buy for my purposes. I had problems in later years holding close tolerances and the mill attachment they offer will work, but could be a lot better. I find I use a mill nearly as often as I do the lathe. I have a large floor model Harbor Freight mill with a ton of tooling that works ok for a cheap $1000.00 tool. If I had it to do over, I would buy
from Enco or hold out for a Bridgeport. I have a 10 inch South Bend Lathe, an oldie, but
it continues to do good work. I would be lost without a four jaw chuck for making cams etc.

You will need to spend nearly as much for tooling as you do for a good mill or lathe.
It's the available tooling that controlls what you can make or do with either a lathe or mill. I now use an old restored Atlas 5 inch lathe for aluminum and brass turning.

For mini tools, I would look hard at what Micro Ace offers. One problem I had with the mini lthe and tools wasI found that I wanted to do items that were too large for the mini tools to handle. Check out Enco and others on the web.

Respectfully

[Anonymous]

I have been using a Sherline Lathe and a Sherline Mill for some time .The only spares I've neededhave been cutting tools .The great thing about Sherline is that tools and sub assemblies are interchangeable between mill and lathe , and they do a super range of add ons . The bloke who designed the system was obviously a modeller .
Being British , I hate to say it's made in the Good Ole USA
Mike Morgan , England

[bcammack]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mikanmart

Being British , I hate to say it's made in the Good Ole USA

If it's any comfort, I seem to recall that the Sherline originally was developed in Australia. [:D]

[Allen Jenkins]

Well, We hauled ***, you carried the southwstern pacific entrepreneurial types to Tazmania. And I've gotta hat, with one side turned up to prove it. Had a kangaroo band. And now I have Trainz! Goodaye! acj.

[Anonymous]

I didn't know we'd go around the world on this discussion. :D

Seriously though , I am following up on the info given. I have the Micro Mark catolog already as I get my wire brushes from them. I understand about the investment in tooling - just have to dig in on it. Actually there are just a few milling machines worth considering judging by the comments so far.

I appreciate the inputs as it saves alot of time. :)

[Anonymous]

Hi there,
I'd have to agree the Serline Mills and Lathes are very utilitarian. I had my mill stolen some years ago that had the lathe power head and 3 jaw chuck mounted on it. If anyone is interested I still have the lathe bed with cross slide and tailstock, minus power spindle head, byt with power feed attached to a wood base. I also have the threading attachment, 4 jaw chuck, a fly cutter head and offset boring bar holders for the mill. There are some other items. Like I said if anyone is interested in buying any of
this you can reach me at [e-mail]., and just reference "Sherline Lathe parts" My name is Cliff and will respond to any reply. Otherwise keep railroading.

so I don't dump it as spam.