general milling question

[bjinatj]

I have a cheap HF Mill / Lathe combo. I am trying to figure something out (I am not experienced in either). After purchasing I figured out that the mill only came with a 1/2 drill chuck. I read the documentation and found it used morse taper 2 collets. I purchased some. I then proceeded to buy end mills. Now that I have everything "I thought" I needed I found out that when the mill is completely extended it is 4.5 inches from the bed. How do I get the bit closer to the table.

If anyone cares I have provided a link to the manufacturers pdf.

http://skywasyellow.com/5980.pdf


Thank you in advance for any help!

-Ronnie

[sendkeys]

Vise? Change the collects for tool holders ?

[Capt Turk]

I have one of the 5980's myself. I got a set of mill holders from little machine shop. They do the trick for most jobs.

[ZipSnipe]

123 blocks or 246 blocks and a clamping kit is a necessity

[captainlee]

Hi.

I just replaced the top two bearings under the step pulley in the mill head because I didnt know that the work must be fairly close to the mill in the most up position you can get it, this is achived by making a tilting table attaching it to the bed with a vise on same and you can get real close to the mill cutter tool this way.
If you havent joined the 3_in_1_Lathe_mill_drill yahoo group you should their is a lot of info on this machine check out the photos sections under
Harbor Freight 5980 for pics of the mill holder and tilting table and other modifacations. good luck Cap. dont give up the ship...

[ghawkins2000]

Hello all im a newbie to the forum and the metel working machines and i thought i would say hello....

[captainlee]

Well GHawkins as you can tell from my number of posts I am new my self to this group
but I do enjoy helping and talking about metal working I have a garage full of small equiptment. What are your metal interests?? Cap.

[ghawkins2000]

well a friend and i have been making small motorcyle parts with his lathe so i thought i would fork out the cash and buy my own machine central machinery model 5980 3-1 and i have to say im not impressed ...lol