Help - Looking for a mill/drill in Canada

[theLane]

Hi all,

I am new to all this machining and am looking to get into it for hobby/learning purposes. I'll be milling plastics 95% of the time. Max source/material size is probably gonna be about 4x4". Every now and then, I may use alum as well. My budget is around a thousand. I have a few problems/questions:

1. I am looking at the Craftex CT129N from Busy Bee. Is this a decent machine for my purposes?

2. What else is available or an option within Canada? I can't order out of the states because of high shipping costs, duty, etc. I saw the X2-like machine at Princess Auto too.

3. Can't seem to find a source for machines anywhere in Edmonton, Alberta other than Busy Bee or Princess Auto. Does anyone know of some other places/dealers?


Thanks,
~Lane

[theLane]

OMG... just swung by Princess Auto and BusyBee Tools to see the Mill/Drill machines in person. I first stopped by BusyBee and the CT129N is a pretty nice machine. A lot smaller than I thought, but still a sturdy and capable looking machine. The guy working there was knowledgeable as well.

Then I stopped by Princess Auto... what a shi!t-hole, selling what appears to be "disposable tools". They are like dollar store quality for retail pricing. The Mill/Drill they sell is JUNK, made out of tin, rusted and the dials turn 6-10mm before they even engage the table. The markers are literally tin and are not even cut straight or align properly. They want a THOUSAND DOLLARS for that!!! (http://www.princessauto.com/shop-gar...illing-machine)

I wouldn't even buy a hammer from Princess Auto man. Anyway, just thought I would share my window shopping experience.

[dertsap]

all of that stuff originates from the same factories

the mill from princess is the x2 mill which is the same as the craftex that busybee has on for $699 http://busybeetools.ca/cgi-bin/picture10?NTITEM=CT133, difference on the price tag is $300 and a different can of paint , they are a toy in comparison to a bridgeport but surprising in the size of cut that they can handle for what they are , I picked up the craftex a while back for a laugh and it's actually impressed me with it's capabilities

[theLane]

Note to self then... "stay away from the X2". The one at Princess Auto was so bad (three of them out), that I couldn't even get the table moving. Lifting the rubber protective cover revealed a LOT of rust. When it did break free and start moving, it was obvious that it was junk. There is no way they are the same as the Craftex. I saw them both and they were night/day difference in quality... literally. Maybe the same size, but nowhere near the same quality.

[dertsap]

I assure you its the same machine as the craftex , but I'll agree that it seems that the mills at the princess auto here are abused as well

[H500]

The ct129n is bigger than the x2. It weighs close to 300lbs. It's somewhat smaller than an x3. It's a decent machine.

[H500]

Here's an even bigger machine for the same cost.

https://www.machinetoolswarehouse.co...cat=253&page=1