which milling machine

[Gss]

thinking of buying a milling machine but can't decide on to go for belt driven or gear driven.

I wont to use this machine as a drill, to replace my relic of a bench drill, as well as for milling work.

the belt driven machines I'm looking at are all 12 speed (100-2080rpm) 2 hp models, but the gear driven ones are only six speed (80-1300rpm) 1.5/2 hp.

I'm concerned the limited speed range may be a problem when drilling especially small drill sizes.

Intertested in ppls thoughts

[tp555]

I've never seen gear drive mills.Where are they? Could you post a link? Mills are belt driven. Usually manual change and variable speed with the variable speed costing more. I have never run higher then 1k speed for anything, but that's me.

[Gss]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/milling-drilling-dovetailed-column-new_W0QQitemZ330094293531QQihZ014QQcategoryZ105827 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

https://ishop.gasweld.com.au/ishop/stock/item/532547

[tp555]

I looked at the adds and it didn't say anything about gear drive. In any case I
don't think it matters.For a mill the important things are : power of the motor,size of work table, type of collets,usually r-8 for average mills.High speed is for soft materials like plastic or wood. If you are going to work with such soft
material then the higher speed might make a difference. I would be concerned with size of work table.The bigger the better. My mill is a standard 9x42 table.
It has a 3 phase motor with step pulleys for different speed.I don't have 3 phase electricity so I use a static converter.Works fine for over 10 years.What helps is accessories like a dro. Makes you job go a lot easier.regards.

[Gss]

Thanx for you feedback, I have just reread both links and they both definatly have geared heads.

[spmorgan]

Hi GSS,
Mate if you have the money get yourself a geared mill with dove tail slides, they are stronger and more accurate than the round slide models wth pulleys. Pulleys slip and do not control the speed of the spindle accurately enough if you are doing large work. Have a look at www.machineryhouse.com.au which have a great variety of mills big and small. Also where you have looked on Ebay and check out ozmestore 1 who also sell great lathes and smaller mills, both geared and belt driven. Cheers Shane (Raymond Terrace)

[Gss]

thanx Shane

will check out machineryhouse.