Mill

[floridafred]

I just purchased a mill for the main reason that the price was right. Now I have to incorporate it into my knifemaking. Since I am not all that familiar with it's operation I am wondering what benefits others derive from their mill. What do you use your mill for and how does it benefit your operation. Thanks.

[blademan]

Fred:
Go to http://users3.ev1.net/~blademan/
Go to the "Tutorials/Articles" and download
a copy of "PMSG" that will just give you a
start on what it can do.

[floridafred]

Thanks Blademan, that is a terrific tutorial. I had an idea I may be able to surface grind with the mill but had no clue how to get started. When I purchased the mill it did not come with a chuck and some of the control handles were missing. I've ordered them and hope to receive them this week. It was a floor model and some of the parts had walked off. Therefore the good price. It looks like I need a magnetic chuck also.

[Geno]

Hey Fred,
A mill is a powerful tool. Your own imagination is your limit to what it can do. You will find that tooling, and equipment for it is $$$, but it is a workhorse in the shop.
I use mine more for making tools than for knives. I slot the locks on my lockbacks, make spring caps for my automatic(coil fired) knives, and other tasks, but mostly tools.
If you equip it with a digital readout, watch out.it becomes a precision machine right away.
One note of caution, Make SURE your work is secured very well before turning on this machine.Your work can not move ANY during the cut or else danger to you or the machine is likely.
Have fun.
Work safe.
Be blessed!

[floridafred]

Thanks Gene, I'm really looking forward to turning this bad boy loose.