Two-Speed Variable Bench Mill/Drill Machine

Comments about Central Machinery Two-Speed Variable Bench Mill/Drill Machine:

I love this little mill. It's obviously not as rigid or powerful as a Bridgeport, but it's quite sturdy for its size. Can fit on a small workbench. Able to mill any material I throw at it, although you will need to take lighter cuts on tough steels like 4340 or most stainless steels. It might take longer with small cuts, but it gets the job done. A few minor adjustments (search online for help) and you can hit reasonably tight tolerances with this machine.

Comments about Central Machinery Two-Speed Variable Bench Mill/Drill Machine:

I bought this specifically to complete 80% AR-15 receivers. I was a complete newbie to milling. After reading detailed instructions available on the web, I was able to muddle my way through the first receiver. Now I have moved on to 0% receivers and have installed DRO's. It's a good entry level machine, and trust me you will spend more on vises, clamping sets, and end mills than you originally spent on the machine. A quality product as long as you recognize the size and power limitations inherent in a small machine.

Comments about Central Machinery Two-Speed Variable Bench Mill/Drill Machine:

I am a hobby machinist and this machine gets the job done! Like the others have said, needs some tweaks/adjustments to get it 100% but they are all very easy(should be done for a proper setup on ANY machine anyway). Just be ready for cleaning alot of the red grease off(wasn't bad with a couple beers =0) ). I am very happy with it...it is now a very accurate machine...you will be happy. The palstic gears can be swapped out relativly pretty cheap. Can switch out for metal gears(like I did) or a belt conversion(quits the machine down alot but raises your lowest RPMS) Lots of places sell the parts needed online.

Comments about Central Machinery Two-Speed Variable Bench Mill/Drill Machine:

I have two of these mills that I use for my business. This machine allowed me to start my business without going into debt because the cost is very reasonable. I have put a belt drive kit on both of these machines which made them run much quieter and without the gear failure problem. If you like to invent you need one of these mills. It is great.

Comments about Central Machinery Two-Speed Variable Bench Mill/Drill Machine:

The guy in Asia that put this one together did a real nice job. Everything was adjusted tight and true. I must have gotten a newer one because there was no heavy grease to clean off, just a light coat. Also it has the slotted X-Axis drive shaft so a power feed will be a simple bolt on. All these size machines come from the same factory. Read the manuals from the other retailers for spindle break in and various adjustments because the HF manual is useless!!

Comments about Central Machinery Two-Speed Variable Bench Mill/Drill Machine:

Good small mill for general use. Have has mine for 4 years and used it a LOT. Problem......plastic gears break. And gear head anything screams wien running. Best thing is to spend $150 and get the conversion to belt drive kit from [@]. It replaces the gears and I can now take.th rpm's way up quietly!!! I have drilled thousands of holes and milled tons of stuff with little tool. Backlash is still where it was 4 years ago. Use this more than my big mill for small jobs.

Comments about Central Machinery Two-Speed Variable Bench Mill/Drill Machine:

As a hobbyist, I read all the reviews first before buying. I knew what I was getting was not TOP NOTCH, but then neither was the price! You can always find something better if you spend more money! I have been thoroughly satified with this unit -after making it a belt drive and replacing torsion spring with air lift! Make chips!

Comments about Central Machinery Two-Speed Variable Bench Mill/Drill Machine:

Bought this mill with a 25% off coupon during Thanksgiving! Mill arrived about a week later, and I set it up in my garage shop. One of the pieces had been damaged during shipping, but Harborfreight has been responsive in getting my concerns resolved, and a new part is on its way (presumably from China).





As for the mill, like any chinese machine, you will have to put forth a little effort to get it "up to par" if you want to perform any accurate, quality work. I plan on finishing up working on my 1/12 scale coal-burning steam locomotive, that could not be done on my lathe. So far, I've been impressed by the machine for its value!





Remember, tram, tighten, and TAKE IT SLOW!





Thank you harbor freight!

Comments about Central Machinery Two-Speed Variable Bench Mill/Drill Machine:

I bought one from HF 4 years ago. I believe the quality is probably as good as any X2 machine. Lead screws very nice quality. I braced my column up and it is twice as capable now. Mine turns a 1/2" drill OK in steel if you push moderately, but obviously rigidity for milling is pretty limited so light cuts are the rule. In steel it is probably at its best with 1/4" end mills, but can use 1/2" or larger in some situations. I've used a fly cutter in mine a lot with no broken gears yet, but I'm very careful about solid setups and smooth feed. I dislike the belt conversions because they increase the minimum speed and decrease torque... I like to work in steel with HSS cutters and want more torque, not more speed. Too much speed already for me. I'd say the #1 thing besides bracing is keep the gibs adjusted closely... they need frequent adjusting as the rough ways break in. I guess because my gibs are snug, I never saw the least use for the air spring kits. If your head drops from its own weight, your gibs are too loose. Another great mod is to add a longer rack on the column... increases the "Z" travel enough to avoid a lot of problems. Oh, I put a reverse switch on mine too, for power tapping, but the head movement is too rough for taps under 1/4" and the power is too lacking for taps over 5/16" or 3/8" in aluminum.

Comments about Central Machinery Two-Speed Variable Bench Mill/Drill Machine:

And it is lightweight enough for mr to lift onto my workbench after dragging it up a flight of stairs to my apartment. Get the belt drive mod! Also the air spring mod.