Trying to keep the ship afloat
 

As a few of you know, my Toptech(Optimum)BF30 mill has been down for almost a month. My dealer no longer carries the mill because of huge cost increases and electrical issues like I've had so it's made getting a new circuit board more challenging. They had two boards in stock but were not sure if either were new. After trying both and not fixing the problem we are now waiting for a new board from China which may take some time. In the mean time I have a local machine shop sparky looking at my old board to see if can be repaired and my wife and I bought this little guy yesterday so that I can at least get some small, simple jobs done. This little machine is no Cadillac but I'm hoping it will see me through the simplest of tasks to keep customers happy. I am looking at buying a new mill in the very near future to replace the BF30 but they are also a few weeks away and I can't afford to take the summer off while I'm waiting. Hopefully this little duffer will keep the ship afloat! My expectations for this thing are realistic so I'm hoping they are met!lol

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...pslkfntqrq.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psy0ixr2sg.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psgbgxkuue.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3nxg32wl.jpg

Re: Trying to keep the ship afloat
 

Keep us posted on how you like/dislike about the princess auto mill. I've been keeping my eye on one when they come on sale.

Re: Trying to keep the ship afloat
 

Is the Power Fister the one Hazard Fraught tools sells?

If you like it, there are some ways to upgrade
http://makezine.com/projects/cnc-min...-kit-hardware/

Re: Trying to keep the ship afloat
 

Good looking machine Reg. Hope it performs well for you.

Re: Trying to keep the ship afloat
 

Hope it gets you thru your problems. Please let us know how you like it!!

Re: Trying to keep the ship afloat
 

Well I ran the mill for a few hours this afternoon and I have to say "so far, so good"! I have an older lathe that I'm sure was made by the same factory so I'm hoping this will work out as well "long term" but we'll have to see. I spent about 5 hours messing around making these bumpers. A fair amount of that time I was using the mill and it just got smoother and smother to operate as I went. Keep in mind I was making small cuts and taking my time compared to what I'd do with the BF30. Especially with the radius cutter and slitting saw. Comparing the two would be stupid anyway. Sure they look similar in design but one is 150lbs and the other is 600+. It's also a $1000 dollar machine vs a $7000 machine(Canadian funds). The best part is... the mini mill runs which is more than I can say for the other one!:rolleyes:

Thanks for the link frizzen. I may just mess around with this thing after I get a solution for the normal gear. That link might come in handy.

Today's work. They look the same as the other ones I've made so life's good.

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psdvhg2elg.jpg

Re: Trying to keep the ship afloat
 

Glad to see the shop back up and running :cool: