Knee Mill $1500 Ottawa

[combustable herbage]

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[Six O Two]

No longer available, no surprise there. Heck of a deal.

 

[slow-poke]

Bargain!

 

[Dabbler]

absolute bargain!!!

 

[DPittman]

Just a few years ago you could still get those machines at harbor freight for $1750 USD. Now they are $2500 USD.

9 Speed Vertical Milling Machine

Amazing deals on this 9 Speed Vertical Milling Machine at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I looked into buying one new a few years ago and figured by the time I got the machine here it was double the price in Canadian dollars. I suspect it would be similar yet today.

 

[Dabbler]

When I bought mine in 1998, I paid 5200$ for it (it had a X power feed(!!)). I sold it to another member at 3800$ even though it had very little wear. Mine was manufactured in Taiwan, and weighed 2100lbs. It is possible the 1750 US$ ones are much flimsier, and made in a less expensive place?

The cheapest, new price, I have seen them in Canada has been 3100$

I would have kept mine, but for the fact that the spindle-to-column distance was 7" and not adjustable. I got much bigger machines, so when using a tap wrench, for instance, I didn't hit the column. It is also handy for doing bigger jobs than 14" wide....

 

[DPittman]

When I bought mine in 1998, I paid 5200$ for it (it had a X power feed(!!)). I sold it to another member at 3800$ even though it had very little wear. Mine was manufactured in Taiwan, and weighed 2100lbs. It is possible the 1750 US$ ones are much flimsier, and made in a less expensive place?

The cheapest, new price, I have seen them in Canada has been 3100$

I would have kept mine, but for the fact that the spindle-to-column distance was 7" and not adjustable. I got much bigger machines, so when using a tap wrench, for instance, I didn't hit the column. It is also handy for doing bigger jobs than 14" wide....

Yes the red Harbor Freight mills are made in China and have a so-so reputation. I have a made in Taiwan Busy Bee version of this mill and at first glance they appear the same but mine has a few nicer finishes and touches. At the time I was looking at buying the HF version the low price was very persuading but in the end I'm glad I did not get the red one. However almost anything can be a good buy at the right price.

 

[slow-poke]

Yes the red Harbor Freight mills are made in China and have a so-so reputation. I have a made in Taiwan Busy Bee version of this mill and at first glance they appear the same but mine has a few nicer finishes and touches. At the time I was looking at buying the HF version the low price was very persuading but in the end I'm glad I did not get the red one. However almost anything can be a good buy at the right price.

That's interesting I have never seen a red one and was wondering what manufacture used red. I paid $2500 for a green BB made in Taiwan 8x30.

 

[Dabbler]

FYI the first few years it was an 8X34, with 22" X travel, but then they cut it back to 8X30. I was lucky enough top get the 8X34 model.

 

[DPittman]

FYI the first few years it was an 8X34, with 22" X travel, but then they cut it back to 8X30. I was lucky enough top get the 8X34 model.

Yes there have been a few sizes and variations of this style of mill and they all look very, very similar. The red HF mills have been 6x26 mills, my BB CX602 is also a 6x26 mill, but often they are mistakenly compared to the newer CX603 which are 8x30 and look very similar. One of the biggest differences in the smaller mills versus the bigger ones is that the bigger 8x30 mills have a cast frame right to the floor, the smaller ones sit on a stand.

 

[Dabbler]

Even when BB was importing the next version, and 8X30, the weight dropped 500 or 600 pounds.

 

[mickeyf]

In the "Tramming the KCB mill question" thread I listed some of the many names this mill has been sold as. I found this useful when looking for "how we done it good up our way" stories since many people will know it only by the name or company they bought it
from. Searching under the other names can bring up otherwise unknown useful ideas.

​

 

[Susquatch]

In the "Tramming the KCB mill question" thread I listed some of the many names this mill has been sold as. I found this useful when looking for "how we done it good up our way" stories since many people will know it only by the name or company they bought it
from. Searching under the other names can bring up otherwise unknown useful ideas.

I wish someone knew even one name for my old mill drill 10 years ago. It only vaguely looks like an RF30. But I plan to sell it soon so it doesn't really matter any more.

 

[mickeyf]

It only vaguely looks like an RF30. But I plan to sell it soon so it doesn't really matter any more.

Well, it might matter to the person buying it if they have something to compare to, and can look up other peoples experiences with using it and adding bells and whistles. But perhaps "RF30 Style" is enough.

 

[Susquatch]

Well, it might matter to the person buying it if they have something to compare to, and can look up other peoples experiences with using it and adding bells and whistles. But perhaps "RF30 Style" is enough.

Well trouble is that RF30 is as close as I have found but still miles away. I'm not sure there are any bells and whistles that would fit it.