Aztec Mfg is closed - frame milling needed

[nightmare0331]

You mean like this? (Attachment Link)

Certainly an option, but this is what I use on a almost daily basis...

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Grizzly-6-x-21-Mill-Drill/G0619

I would have actually gone larger, but this was the largest machine I could get into my basement partially dismantled...with 3 people.  lol

I also have a Harbor Freight micro mill (Sieg X1...since discontinued by HF, but probably still available from someone...it's okay for little stuff but what led me to go bigger) and a Microlux mill sitting at a buddy's house I need to go pick up one of these days that I plan on converting to CNC (rebranded Sieg X2...also available in one form or another with slightly different options from Harbor Freight, Little Machine Shop, Grizzly...)

Someday when I have more shop space and it's on the ground floor, I'd like a Bridgeport knee mill, but I think that's beyond the scope of this discussion.

That Grizzly mill though...I've machined thousands of Kato frames on it....it's paid for itself hundreds of times over.

Your mileage may vary. 

Enjoy!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

[rrjim1]

I use a Sherline lathe with the milling column, this way I have both a mill and a lathe. If you want to go crazy you can also go CNC.     

[peteski]

I use a Sherline lathe with the milling column, this way I have both a mill and a lathe. If you want to go crazy you can also go CNC.   

Another very happy Sherline user here.
I started with what rrjim1 has (that was about 40 years ago), then slowly kept adding accessories. At this point I have a complete lather and a complete mill.  What's nice about Sherline is that they work with you to get you to where you want to be.

For example, I didn't have to buy the complete milling machine.  I sent in the vertical milling column I was using with my lathe to be modified by Sherline to fit the milling machine base. Then I purchased just the headstock/motor assembly and the milling machine base. Then after assembling these components I had a full standalone milling machine. 

It is not a Bridgeport or a Grizzly, but it can still easily do all the machining I need (just using lighter cuts).

[CRL]

Yeah, with only about a dozen locos to mill, I Might be able to justify the Proxxen, but more likely a roto tool in a drill press attachment with an XY table accessory would make more sense.

[narrowminded]

If there is an interest in that Proxxon mill there are several good threads about mill choices where the Proxxon is part of the discussion.  I have one and am quite happy with it.  I find it to be an appropriate size and very capable machine for small modelling work.  Any mill will require learning to use but those threads might add some valuable insight into a purchase.

A mill thread.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=40160.30

Here's my Proxxon set up to make speaker enclosures.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=44547.0;attach=21583

And this thread shows the precision capabilities of the Proxxon with a reworked spindle.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=44651.msg575173#msg575173

And this post has a little more background and description of the thoughts and realities that went into the setup I made to make my in house machining capabilty complete enough to be really useful.  The first post of the thread links a video of a chassis built with these machines, the device that triggered the whole persuit.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=40794.msg506359#msg506359

Hope these help your deliberation.

[JMaurer1]

Best track cleaners ever, great LE rolling stock, and a heck of a nice guy. Enjoy retirement.