Mill/Lathe for prototyping torch bodies

[Mosser]

I'm looking into getting a mill/lathe for prototyping custom torch bodies and wondered what anyone thought of this machine ?, would it have good ebough tolerances to produce good quality parts ?, it cuts metric 0.5mm-3mm threads, would these mate up to heads like the maglite ?, or should i simply machine everything custom from start to finish ?

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/p...-lathemill-drill/path/metal-lathes-milldrills

As you can probably tell, i'm in the UK, so it needs to be a 220v machine that is available in Europe really otherwise shipping and tax will push the price sky high.

I have experience with lathe work, so am pretty handy doing stuff on there, but have never used a mill before, and thought i would just pick it up as i went along !

Anyone else have and advice to add that would help me with my decision ?

I've been spurred on by the fact that i want a 24v 250w high powered incan like the FM elephant body with extensions, but its way out of my price range for what i would be prepared to spend on a flahlight, and thought i might be able to make my own similar one much much cheaper if i did it myself

 

[gadget_lover]

The general feeling has been that a combo machine is less versitile, since the lathe mode and mill mode require that you use the same parts in different ways. This means that you can not easily remount the flashlight after doing milling operations.

Having said that , one of the guys here has done some great work with his combo setup.

Daniel

 

[precisionworks]

I also believe you'd be more happy with a separate lathe & milling machine. I can't tell you how many times there's one job running on the lathe, and another setup (or maybe a second op for the lathe job) on the mill.

i might be able to make my own similar one much much cheaper if i did it myself

By the time you add up the cost of the machinery, tooling, etc., your lights will be anything but cheap - even if your time has no monetary value. It's hard to make any item for less money than a factory that has dedicated CNC machines ... but it is fun. Buy the machinery for the fun and learning aspect, but don't plan on saving money unless the machinery & tooling are free.

 

[Mosser]

Thanks for your help, I think i will pass on this one then and look for separate machines

cheers

 

[wquiles]

I also went this route (separate lathe and mill) and I fully concur with the prior two posters who have lots more experienced than I have. Not only that, but both of them have already given me great advice here in the forums, so I listen carefully to "anything" they have to say :thumbsup:

Will