I bought a 3 axis Taig 2019 CR-ER mill with (3) 276 oz. stepper motors several years ago, promptly put it in my closet, and forgot about it. I have little machining experience, and have only played around on a lathe for a few hours in a school machine shop, so I know I'm the weakest link or rate-limiting-step in this system.

This mill has the following travel capacities: X axis 12 inches; Y axis 5.5 inches; Z axis 6.0 inches. My table is 3.5 x 18.5 inches. Highest Spindle Speed is advertised as "7501 - 10000 rpm."

Anyway, my question is would my setup be practical for eventually trying out something like this: http://www.cnczone.com/forums/hobby_...lt_1911_a.html
Where a 1911 frame (receiver) is milled from steel billet? 4140 is a big tool steel for firearms receivers, for reference.

I also have a Taig vise, which I've been told to swap out for something "better" and a StepMasterNC SOP-2 controller unit.

Thanks for all your time and input. I know my way around a research lab, but feel completely out of place amongst a lot of the interesting equipment in the realm of machining. Both types of creation, the synthetic and the mechanical, have always interested me, but I've only now had the time to devote towards engaging the latter.