Post by Greg on Mar 5, 2014 22:17:45 GMT -8
As some of you know I purchased a milling machine from Harbor freight not too long ago and have used it for a couple of weeks now so I wanted to post my observations.
I purchased the 2 hp version but this will apply well to the mini mill most places are selling on the web.
It dawned on me after refinishing a cutting board for work that I could do the same thing with wood and since these machines are made to cut metal they cut wood like it was warm butter!
I resurfaced some oak that had mistakes and they are ready to be used, that was more that a .250 cut and would have taken numerous passes going through the planer.
It also dawned on me that I could make any design or touch up on finished projects with this that I would normally us a router to do.
I already have a planer but if I were looking at these $200-$300 dollar planers I would seriously think about spending $500 on the mini milling machine you could then make AR's while your not using your cnc router!
Do a little searching around the web on 80% Ar lower's.
I purchased the 2 hp version but this will apply well to the mini mill most places are selling on the web.
It dawned on me after refinishing a cutting board for work that I could do the same thing with wood and since these machines are made to cut metal they cut wood like it was warm butter!
I resurfaced some oak that had mistakes and they are ready to be used, that was more that a .250 cut and would have taken numerous passes going through the planer.
It also dawned on me that I could make any design or touch up on finished projects with this that I would normally us a router to do.
I already have a planer but if I were looking at these $200-$300 dollar planers I would seriously think about spending $500 on the mini milling machine you could then make AR's while your not using your cnc router!
Do a little searching around the web on 80% Ar lower's.
I know you can get them cheaper but I wanted one that was going to last and good tight adjustments.