Crafttex Mill. Should I look for something else?

[zerodegreec]

I am buying a mill (not thinking about it anymore... I have cash in had FINALLY). I have had a few craftex machines and a few have been returned because they were crap. But my bandsaw has been good. Here is the machine in question:
http://busybeetools.ca/cgi-bin/picture10?NTITEM=CT129N

Now I am an amateur... BIG rookie when it comes to mills. So from what I can gather you should buy as big of a machine that you can afford... well $1500 is the price point for me. I will get a Lathe next but I dont want to make the mistake in trying to find a machine that can do two tasks but really is not very good for any one.

this mill had Var Speed with a gear drive.
20" x 7" table
15" vertical travel

What are the Negatives with a machine of this size? Would I be better off with a better brand name (if you could suggest one) but a smaller size?

and no I dont have a specific duty to perform, I just want to tinker

[dertsap]

I have the mini craftex mill at home to play with http://busybeetools.ca/cgi-bin/picture10?NTITEM=CT133 and I find it capable to get the job done , they're certainly not high torque professional grade machines but for the price they are ok for small projects

[Teyber12]

If i were you i would absolutely go with the machine tool warehouse rf45 clone. its just a tiny bit over your budget but i would say twice as cabable as that machine. its a big machine, a PITA to move and such but in the long run it will be worth it.

I have a x3 and sure wish i had a rf45.

cheers

[zerodegreec]

Where can I find this machine? would you have a link to some specs?

Thanks

[knowell2]

link to Machine Tool Warehouse:

https://www.machinetoolswarehouse.co...me.php?cat=309

[zerodegreec]

it would be WELL over my price range once I ship something that large into Alberta. I wonder if someone around Calgary would have something similar.

[arizonavideo]

The mill looks like a Weiss 20.You can see one here.

http://www.weissmachine.us/wmd20v.html

That should be almost the exact same machine as the Grizzly 0704.

there is a few threads on that mill going on now.

I have the larger Weiss 30 and it has been a fine mill but it is not a supper large mill. It is a bit over 400lb.

If the Weiss 20 is not too small for your parts I would think you will be happy with the machine for its size it is just about best in class your only other choices are the X2 and the X3 and the MTW RF-30.

https://www.machinetoolswarehouse.co...cat=309&page=1

The 0003 machine they list looks like a knock off of a X3 with a larger head. It is about the same price and I have not heard much about them.

[rowbare]

If you go with and RF-45 clone you are getting a 1000 lb plus machine that will have to be disassembled to get into the basement etc... Is this what you want to do? Sounds like you are getting your feet wet here, an RF-45 might be jumping into the deep end.

The mill you are looking at is a good little mill. As mentioned, it is similar in design to the Grizzly G0704 that is getting a lot of attention here lately.

There is a nicely documented CNC conversion of one of these mills here: http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97057

To further confuse the issue: https://www.machinetoolswarehouse.co...me.php?cat=310

The BF20v is pretty much the same as the CT133 but its price includes the stand. The BF20lv has a longer table and more X. As well these have an R8 taper vs MT3 so that might be a factor. I have read that their shipping costs are fairly reasonable.

bob

[zerodegreec]

Thanks arizonavideo, Now the exchange rate from Canadian to US is almost par, so shipping is an option.

Would you recommend shipping the Weiss 20 up to Canada for $400 in shipping? or would you go with the China knockoff?

Busy Bee has a MT3 and the Weiss has a MT2.

Advice would be appreciated. I would rather spend a little more to get a good machine, if its worth the money.

[zerodegreec]

thanks rowbare What are the advantages of the R8 over the MT2 or MT3? I sent an email to Machine tools warehouse for a shipping quote and will post the $$ when they get back to me.

[fatal-exception]

That's not a bad mill. I've looked at it at our busy bee store. Looks to have better finish than the standard X2's. It would be pretty simple to CNC if you ever wanted to do that. It has a relatively big table for a small machine.

Yeah, R8 would be a better spindle taper, but if you don't already have R8 tooling, it doesn't much matter.

[zerodegreec]

Thanks fatal-exception I called BB today and am waiting on a delivery time. The last time I ordered in a tool (my bandsaw) it took 4mths and i suffered every time I had a job that I could have used it for.....drove me batty (not to mention my Wife was tired of hearing me talk about it...)