Is this mill worth it

[MrArmyAnt]

I am wanting to by a mill, found this one with cnc, rather new to machining but I know what I can get this at and was seeing what you all would pay for it.

"Need to sell this Wells Index CNC Mill. Is in good working condition. Has a 3 way power feed. Has a selection of tooling and quick release chucks. Will sell with or without tooling.

Had this mill appraised, $8000.00 to $12,000.00 "

What would you all pay for it? I really want this and if what you all say is below what I can get it for I think I'll pull the trigger.






Please answer soon! I am trying to get more info on it, but it may mean having to return the 1080p projector I just bought!

[little bubba]

From your pics it appears that the machine is screwed to the wall.

First it appears to be a Wells-Index 847. An incredibly stout machine, still made today 100% in the USA. Parts are available and Wells-Index customer service is second to nobody. Rick Robeson, who I believe is the president was out on a service call the last time I needed help from him. Very good people.

The mill alone, in a manual configuration will run you just shy of 15k new and well worth every penny. The same mill CNC'd I do believe is just shy of 25k.

I have a 1978 with a Bandit controller from the factory. (old, archaic and slow, 50ipm rapids, with steppers, Qwik Switch 200). Paid $1500 with 9 tool holders a few years ago. Doesn't get used much anymore, but it is handy to have around. It will still move a lot of metal, HP limited, not rigidity, holds good tolerance and is reliable. Its the one machine in this entire shop that I will never sell, its the machine I cut my CNC mill teeth on where I used to work, so it has some sentimental value, but she is still a workhorse.

From the handles and lack of nice big cast boxes at the end of the screws, it look like a home brew CNC to me. How well was the conversion done is what I would want to know. Even if it wasn't great, the basics are all there and can improved on.

Not seeing it in person, and your photos honestly aren't great, if I needed it I wouldn't have a problem dumping $4k on it. Maybe $6k if its ready to run and comes with tool holders, and is in really nice condition. BTW, what toolholders does it take??

[mc-motorsports]

for $8-12k, you can get a lot more. I wouldn't spend more than $4K and that would only be if I needed it tomorrow and it was in front of me today. The CNC control will need updated if your going to make any real money with it. I vote to keep looking, you can find better deals. JMO

[MrArmyAnt]

I offered him 2, he came back with 3, asked for more specs and what it comes with. I'm poor college student so i might low ball him below my first offer because it seems he wants to move it.

[mc-motorsports]

If you take care of rigging and pick-up/delivery, he might just go for it... Tell him he won't have to lift a finger. Good luck! Def play up the broke college kid part!

[MrArmyAnt]

S how the heck does one move it. I have a decent sized truck.. so guessing trailer?

[mc-motorsports]

You would have to have a towmotor or some sort of structure with a chainfall at both locations. Or just call a towing company and have them drag it up on a slide-back, and slide it off into your shop. 2 people can slide one, wiggling it back and forth, accross a smooth concrete floor. Rollers would be better, sorta...

Either way, tilt the head 90* when your loading/unloading and transporting. It should have an eye bolt in the ram, if not, look for a 5/8" thread and put one there, or just put a couple of slings on the ram, either side of the column, it will be fine, as long as you have good high rated slings. Not really as hard as it seems, once you move one, it's easy.

[dertsap]

if the machine is all there then it may be a great price , it cant depreciate any further ,so you can sell it down the road for what you can buy it for now .

for the most part it's worth is depedant upon what you plan to do with it

[Dr Pete]

Good buy for that machine at $3K.
I would spend the $ and pay a rigger to move it and deliver for you.
Depending on how far you have to travel shouldn't cost you more than $500.
IMHO money well spent to make sure no one gets hurt and the machine arrives intact.
Shop around, the rigger across the street from us is bargain prices compared to machinery movers.

[gridley51]

I wouldn`t give him $1000 for that.The control is antiquated,unreliable and very expensive to repair.

[mc-motorsports]

Originally Posted by gridley51 I wouldn`t give him $1000 for that.The control is antiquated,unreliable and very expensive to repair.

But how much is that in USD $$$$.$$? You can get almost $500 in scrap today.

[gridley51]

$=USD