In most modern metal shops, you'll find both a lathe and a vertical
mill. Both machines function by removing material from a block of
metal--the "workpiece." The key difference between the two is how the
workpiece is handled. On a lathe, the workpiece rotates, and is cut away
by a knife tool. (Typical products of lathe work are "turned parts" such
as spindles, bearings, screws, washers, and circular blanks for
gears.)
On a milling machine, it's the cutter that rotates. The workpiece is
clamped to a table that is moved by precise amounts in two axes at right
angles. (Typical mill products are flat-surfaced blocks of metal, like a
cube, sometimes drilled for spindles or dowel pins, often tapped for
screws.) Both the lathe and mill are incredibly flexible machines, but
neither is capable of doing useful work right "out of the box." Both
call for a number of accessories for holding the workpiece, as well as a
selection of different cutting tools, drills, reamers, etc. Unlike lathe
turning, which has not changed fundamentally in the past 100 years,
milling in the small shop has been changed radically by the recent
introduction of bench-top machines.
There are now so many different milling machines that insider
information has become even more important. In this work, Choosing &
Using the Right Milling Machine, Richard Rex provides everything
needed to choose the right type of mill--knee-type (Bridgeport) or
bench-top--and properly install it depending on the type of work you're
doing. With suggestions for finding, installing, and using the essential
accessories, including digital readouts, this work is a must-have for
model shops around the globe. And it's the perfect companion work to
Choosing & Using the Right Metal Shop Lathe.
Features
- Covers different types of milling cutters, including end mills, drill
bits, reamers, and slitting saws.
- Introduces information on the add-ons that get a shop operational with
the least delay and expense.
- Instructs on the installation and use of three popular
accessories--table power-feed, digital readout (DRO), and rotary
table.
Provides a workpiece tutorial that demonstrates many of the commonplace
milling routines--ideal for first-time users.
