Just a Sparky
Hot Rolled
- Joined
- May 2, 2020
- Location
- Minnesota
Can anyone who has had experience with milling on a South Bend lathe perhaps chime in with your thoughts on SB's milling attachments?
I find myself debating whether tracking one down would be in my interest or not. TL;DR: small 7" x 2-3/4" horizontal milling machine with little vertical clearance when vertical adapter is installed, no room to upgrade to a full-size vertical mill.
The interest here stems from the opportunity to gain additional work envelope on the 'Y' and 'Z' axes and being able to keep my horizontal mill more or less permanently configured for horizontal milling since that's the work it's most suited for. Their built-in 'Z' and 'Y' axis pivots do seem rather handy for milling angles, hex shapes, bevels, etc. And there's just so much more open space on my lathe - better lighting & visibility, ergonomics, more room to manipulate things, fully configurable 'Z' and 'X' power feeds, etc.
Are these milling attachments worth the trouble and expense in your guys' experience? Do you find yourselves using them from time to time or do they mostly collect dust?
For the 13" lathe attachments in particular, does anyone have a figure on their maximum 'Y' travel?
Thanks.
I find myself debating whether tracking one down would be in my interest or not. TL;DR: small 7" x 2-3/4" horizontal milling machine with little vertical clearance when vertical adapter is installed, no room to upgrade to a full-size vertical mill.
The interest here stems from the opportunity to gain additional work envelope on the 'Y' and 'Z' axes and being able to keep my horizontal mill more or less permanently configured for horizontal milling since that's the work it's most suited for. Their built-in 'Z' and 'Y' axis pivots do seem rather handy for milling angles, hex shapes, bevels, etc. And there's just so much more open space on my lathe - better lighting & visibility, ergonomics, more room to manipulate things, fully configurable 'Z' and 'X' power feeds, etc.
Are these milling attachments worth the trouble and expense in your guys' experience? Do you find yourselves using them from time to time or do they mostly collect dust?
For the 13" lathe attachments in particular, does anyone have a figure on their maximum 'Y' travel?
Thanks.