At work we have a 22LU that was gathering dust. I put the machine back into service and have really enjoyed it, particularly for removing lots of stock quickly and the way all the power feeds are integrated and operated. I've enjoyed it so much that now I want one.
Thing is, they seem to be a little thin on the ground, at least if one is on a budget.
I do see a #16 and a #24 for sale though.
In my personal shop I currently have a couple mid-sized CNC mills and one manual mill, one of those little Index #40 mills so popular on battleships back in the day and I have an M-head I was thinking of installing on it so I could have a fast quill.
So, on the one hand I don't need a VN particularly and floor space is always a thing so the smaller one is attractive as a way to scratch the itch. On the other hand, if the 24 will do everything the 16 will do plus more but just take a little more space, it might be worth it.
One more detail is that I can borrow accessories from work if I want to play and the 22 is *very* well equipped.
So I guess if the 24 will take 22 accessories and 16 won't, that would be a factor.
Or do I just wait for a 22 to come available? Actually, since the other guys at work are afraid of anything that isn't a Bridgeport or Haas, when I retire they are likely to just sell the VN, so perhaps I should just wait...
Anyway, comments and comparisons from folks who have used both the 16 and 22 or 22 and 24 are welcome.
Thing is, they seem to be a little thin on the ground, at least if one is on a budget.
I do see a #16 and a #24 for sale though.
In my personal shop I currently have a couple mid-sized CNC mills and one manual mill, one of those little Index #40 mills so popular on battleships back in the day and I have an M-head I was thinking of installing on it so I could have a fast quill.
So, on the one hand I don't need a VN particularly and floor space is always a thing so the smaller one is attractive as a way to scratch the itch. On the other hand, if the 24 will do everything the 16 will do plus more but just take a little more space, it might be worth it.
One more detail is that I can borrow accessories from work if I want to play and the 22 is *very* well equipped.
So I guess if the 24 will take 22 accessories and 16 won't, that would be a factor.
Or do I just wait for a 22 to come available? Actually, since the other guys at work are afraid of anything that isn't a Bridgeport or Haas, when I retire they are likely to just sell the VN, so perhaps I should just wait...
Anyway, comments and comparisons from folks who have used both the 16 and 22 or 22 and 24 are welcome.