Value priced mill

[person6661067]

I'm looking to make a custom water cooling system for my computer. Which will include at least one 12" x 6" x 2" aluminum passive heat sink that I plan on removing ~70% of the block, I also want to make three aluminum or copper maze style water blocks as well as the parts to mount the water blocks. I am looking for a machine that I can convert to CNC later but can use fairly accurately as a manual for awhile until I can afford more. I have been looking at the Sieg X2 & X3 they seem to be good value machines. I would like to be able to make RC car parts & small parts for ATVs out of harder metals also. The Sherline mills have pushed me away because of the all aluminum design and the little room for making larger parts in the future (the only way I can get my dad (I'm 16) to chip in is if he can make pieces for our ATVs, lawnmowers and his loader) .I am also wondering where to buy the mill. Price is the biggest obstacle. I can wait for a good price.

[Traceycnc300]

Have you looked at the Harbor freight mini mills as well as other mills like it?I think they run in the $500 range and there seems to be alot of people converting them to cnc.But its probably to small for loader parts.Good luck to you.

[mikkojay]

I think these are basically the same, but the one at Cummins looks to be a little less money:

http://www.cumminstools.com/browse.cfm/4,1485.htm

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=44991

I was looking into getting something like this to use when I wanted a manual mill (and to help build my CNC machine). If I get one, I'll let you know how it works.

-Mike