Best Milling Machine Reviews 2018

A milling machine is an excellent piece of machinery and should be seen as a great investment in any workshop, which means that it definitely isn’t the cheapest tool in the shed but will be worth the money! Saying that, there are milling machines at a range of prices to suit everyone.

The price range of our selected products starts at around $170. For this price, you shouldn’t expect any less quality than that of more-expensive machines, but it is better-suited for smaller projects and won’t work at the same speed as an industry-sized option. If you’re on a budget, ensure you are picking quality for the money you can afford and don’t just buy the first cheap milling machine you see on offer as it may not live up to your expectations.

If you’ve got a bit more money to play with then there are plenty of other machines to choose from, including our top-end product at around $2300. At this price, you will find the machine has built-in safety features such as an emergency stop button and see-through chip guard. On top of that, the designers have thought thoroughly about how to make your job easier—from variable speed, headstock movement tilt, and reverse tapping. You’ll wonder why it’s taken you this long to purchase such a brilliant creation.

If you’re still milling around trying to choose the right product for you, then take a look at our list below for some more tips on buying the right machine for you.

Here are some of the important things to think about whilst shopping:

• Table Size - This has to do with the surface you need available to accommodate the machine.
• Type - This can include combo, vertical, mini, sawmill, etc.
• Motor Power - The power is measured in horsepower and volts.
• Spindle Speed - This will be measured in RPM (revolutions per minute—or in layman’s terms, rotations).
• Weight and Portability - Milling machines can weigh anywhere between 40 pounds and 300 pounds; some designs are made with portability in mind.
• Job Capacity - The information on spindle travel, swing size, drilling capacity, and cutter diameter will help ensure it will suit your tasks.
• Measuring - This includes XYZ axis and features to improve precision.
• Safety Features - Some features include emergency stop, chip guard, etc.
• Extras - These are other features to help you achieve your goal.

If you need more guidance on these points, keep reading below.

When it comes to the construction and design of your future milling machine, we have a few suggestions on what to look out for. The table size, type, motor power, spindle speed, and weight/portability are all of great importance. What you need to look for will vary depending on your intended use.

Table Size

Before starting to shop, make sure you know where you want your machine and that you have measured the area that you have available. Then it’s just a simple job of checking (and double-checking) that your desired machine fits into that space. Remember that bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better, so check to ensure that the other specifications suit your needs.

Type

A combination milling machine allows you to drill and mill with the same machine, and can be tilted to do horizontal milling as opposed to a vertical machine which only operates in the one direction. The sawmill design is suited to lumbering wood quickly and conveniently. A mini milling machine is simply on a smaller scale and better-suited to moderate jobs.

Motor Power

Motor power is described in HP and volts. Our five top picks range from 0.33 HP and 90V to 2 HP using 115V to 230V. If you go for a larger size, make sure that your power supply will be able to work with that number of volts without cutting out. Although going for the machine with the most horsepower is tempting just to ensure you have the meanest machine on the block, you may not need it, so consider your purpose for the milling machine and power before heading for the big guns!

Spindle Speed

Spindle speed is the number of rotations the spindle does in a minute and can range from 0 – 3000 RPM. The fastest ones are ideal for projects that need to be as professional and efficient as possible to produce a large number of quality products. However, many may not need to use a machine that can reach such a speed.

Weight and Portability

Ranging from 10 pounds—the handheld sawmill—to 660 pounds, weight is one of the biggest variants with this machine. Even with tabletop milling machines, if you know you may need to move it or reposition it, then ensure you can carry and hold the weight of the machine.

When shopping around for a milling machine, you’ll want to ensure that it will offer you top-notch performance and won’t be too difficult to use. To help you find the best features for you, we recommend looking for its job capacity, measurements, safety features, and extras. More info on each factor is below for your convenience.

Job Capacity

Only you will know the details of your projects and what you require from the brand-spanking-new piece of machinery. To avoid disappointment, make sure you check out all the measurements:

• Swing Size - usually measured in inches
• Spindle Travel - measured in inches, describing the maximum distance the spindle can travel
• Drilling Capacity – the diameter of the drill or the width of the hole it will create
• Face Cutter Diameter – the diameter of the face cutter itself

Measurements

Most milling machines have an XYZ axis on them to assist in measuring the material and cut sizes during the job. Machines can also have lasers to help with accuracy and scales engraved onto the surface to reduce the risk of a mistake. There are also some with dovetail columns if you need more of a physical guidance to keep you on the right track.

Safety Features

From emergency stop buttons, to see-through chip shields and anti-backlash feed screws, there are many features that can protect you from a safety hazard you may not even have thought of yet. Remember to read the set-up instructions carefully to make sure everything is where it should be to keep you safe.

Extras

The smallest details can make our lives so much easier. Some machines let you have full control of the spindle speed so you can always work at your own pace. Others have reverse tapping to withdraw the tap from the hole or a coolant system that lets you create deeper cuts and drilling.