RE: Hey Terry

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: Terry Fritz <teslalist-at-twfpowerelectronics-dot-com>

Hi Dan,

I have the 5400A Deluxe Mill Package and later the DRO (8100).  Mcmaster 
sells ever bit imaginable so I get them from there since I like fancy Ti-N 
bits.  I would definitely recommend a small Chinese grinding style vice 
($40) since they are very sturdy and fit perfectly.  I did get the little 
three jaw lathe chuck too (It fits in the mill ;-)) to do round work.  It 
actually works find for short stuff.  I also have the 4 inch rotary table 
for things like wheels.  I would count on spending about $2500 by the time 
you have all the "extra toys" too you really want ;-))  Things like $120 
set of machine wire drills just keep adding up.  But eventually you end up 
with quite a selection of things that can do ANY small task easily.  The 
mill cost as much as a cheap full sized one, but it is very high quality 
and will last just about forever.  McMaster also delivers all the raw stock 
in modest quantities to your door.

The thing is extremely versatile.  I have spent a lot on gage blocks, 
micrometers, alignment tools and other Starrett things too.  In general, 
you can bolt down and cut up things about the size of your hand with 
it.  Things not fitting in it has never been a problem for me.  It is 
pretty wide open around the table.  You can actually over extend the reach 
by adding "more" extension blocks too.  It is all just bolt together stuff 
so you can do just about anything.  A cheap Sears $120 little band saw is 
real nice for chopping things to size too.  McMaster sells blades for them 
that will cut a car in half as opposed to the dumb Sears blades that wont 
cut wood twice... Get a little cheap ~2 gal shop vac too!!!

It is not vastly powerful so you need to go a little slow with hard 
things.  It can do very high <1mill tolerance if you really need.  It 
actually does things bigger than the $500 Harbor Freight mess that is pure 
garbage...  There is a big Yahoo group too...  Sherline folks are "real 
friendly" to if you need any help.

They go on Ebay for just about new (or higher!!) prices if you can find 
them at all.  People don't "get rid" of them ;-))  They will sell their 
liver and kidneys first :o))  The CNC stuff is not useful unless you want 
to make like 20 of one part or odd 3-D milling.  All my stuff is pretty 
much one and two stuff.  The DRO is pretty much NOT an option.

If you can afford to spend the cash, you will never regret spending it on 
this!!  You can spend the hours making all sort of cool things and it will 
all actually fit!!

Just buy one.  If you are really strange and don't like it, sell it on Ebay 
for $50 more than you paid for it ;-))  But you will NEVER sell it...  Get 
the goofy Sherline books too since they really help if you don't know 
anything about machining.

Cheers,

         Terry



At 12:26 PM 8/31/2004, you wrote:


>Thanks Terry,
>
>I did find your directory with all your Sherline photos in it.
>What particular model (and accessories did you get with yours)
>Also, what is the maximize size piece you found to machine.
>Thanks
>
>Dan
>
>
>Hi Dan,
>
>They are made by Sherline:
>
>http://www.sherline-dot-com/
>
>Very nice stuff that is very popular with hobbyists and people that
>don't
>have a lot of room.  I like mine a lot and use it all the time.  Highly
>recommended for smaller stuff!  They also have CNC stuff too.
>
>Cheers,
>
>          Terry
>
>
>At 08:04 AM 8/31/2004, you wrote:
> >Hey Terry,
> >
> >Awhile back, you had posted some pictures of a small tabletop milling
> >machine (or CNC?) that had a digital read-out?
> >
> >What exactly was that?
> >
> >Thanks
> >Dan