Anyone have a minitech mill?

[CNCadmin]

These look really good http://www.minitech.com/index.htm any here have one how do you like it?

[rustyclock]

Hello everyone,

I own a Mini Mill 4 from Minitech... and I don't know how I ever got along without it in my model engineering shop. This machine and my spin caster are the back bones of my facility.

It is truly versatile, the head can be used as a horizontal mill or vertical mill, and can also be used as a chucker lathe.

I normally use it for micro-machining operations, but will be using it soon to cut some steel prototypes on a new tool we are developing.

The ball-screw option is worth it, as well as the linear slides. This alone makes this mill stand out from the other benchtop machines.

There's a guy named Jack who works there, he'll go out of his way to find a cost-effective solution for your needs. I've already decided his company will be our supplier of benchtop machines for years to come.

Nice meeting everyone here,

Jason - (my username is normally rustyclockwork, but I guess this site has a limit on characters)

[rustyclock]

chip sweeper.... nice.

[jrc347]

I have an older version mini-mill /2. Its built like a tank with 1/2 round slides and bronze bushings. The original spindle was setup for a router with a flexible shaft about 10" long. This made the cut very chattery due to the windup of the shaft. I have since modified my maxnc spindle and motor to fit on the mini-mill and have had excellent results. I would recomend the machine to anyone and im sure the newer versions are lightyears ahead of what I have.

[fpworks]

I have a Mini Mill 3 on order to replace my Sherline. I hope to have it next week. If anyone is in the market for a small mill, I strongly suggest that you contact them.

Jack (owner) he has worked quite extensively with me to customize my order. There are several options that aren't listed on their website. I was able to get my machine without spindle & motor (Sherline spindle will bolt right on) and they are providing a 10 amp DenverCNC controller (with Geckos). This combination cost quite a bit less than the package quoted on their website.

I visited a company called Charles & Colvard last week that has 18 Mini Mill 3s. They have been running 12 of these mills eight hours/day since 1998 without any failure. (except they've lost 5-6 steppers from coolant spills) They are pushing the machines quite hard...cutting Silicone Carbide with diamond saws at 1.5 hours/cycle. ~2001, Minitech made some revisions to make the machines even more substantial than the models available in 1998.

[Deviant]

What was the price tag on your setup.

I was looking at those mill for my next machine. ((of course I should make something with my first machine)) *grins*

[fpworks]

approximate prices (don't hold me to these)

Frame: $4500
DenverCNC 10 amp controller box (4 axis with Gecko drives): $1200
3 x Aerotech 250 oz*in steppers: $360

I supplied my own spindle, spindle motor, spindle speed control. On their website, the $8500 Mini Mill/3 is supplied with Flashcut controller/software and spindle, hence the price difference.

Sure, you could do it even cheaper with DIY controller and Ebayed steppers, but I wanted some form of support if I ever have a malfunction.

[jrich124]

Hello, I have a Miniteck minimill 2 Purchased 6 years ago. I use it, probably 10 times a week. I have a problem and have tried to contact Jack Heald to resolve or to even direct me to someone that can fix this machine, with no call back. I have left messages over and over for weeks and Jack nor anyone else from Miniteck will call me back. I purchased this machine from Jack. I have e-mailed Jack for possibilities of trading for a new mill or possibly a replacement circuit board to repair mine, but no one will call me back. I am not asking for anything but help. Customer support seems to be nonexistant. Can anyone help me? Is there anybody that Jack won't help but me?

[jrc347]

Let us know what the problem is and I might be able to help you out. I don't work for minimill or anything, but I am pretty good at this type of thing.

[jrich124]

The control board in my minimill2 is getting power, but nothing works, not even the fan. Is it possible to get another controller and use my software and power supply from someone besides Minitech ? I use this mill to make plastic templates and use Minitech's dos software. If there is someone that can retrofit this unit to work as it should I will be glad to pay for parts and services. I am 30 miles south of Atlanta. Thanks Joe

[moniker]

jrich124,
I have a minimill1, and have really had to "light the phone up" to get a reply on previous occasion.

[Halfnutz]

Maybe "Jack" can smell money (or the end of it) over the phone? They are beautiful machines, for sure, but it is shocking to hear that people have spent that kind of money and have had problems with support, while others have had apparently good responses to thier problems. I am curious as to why this is so? Any insight?