According to :

[ ... ]

I guess you're right about me getting a small mill for now. The most
extreme thing that I will have to do that would be beyond the
capability of the Rotabroach I just won on eBay is carve out a 4"
diameter hole that is 1/16" deep in stainless steel.(Not all the way
through).

If I can establish that I could get that done with something like a
Micro-Mark Mini-Mill, then I'd be set for now.(I'd of course need to
also get a machine for straight cutting 1/4" thick S.S.).

Hmm ... the 4" diameter will probably call for slower spindle
speeds that the Micro-Mark can provide -- and more torque. Especially
so because you insist that stainless is your material of choice. I
really suggest that you experiment with something like 12L14 steel, and
compare how easy that is to machine to what is needed with stainless.

I'd be a *lot* happier if you were not insisting on stainless.
And I'm not sure *why* you insist on stainless. If it is inside what
you are making, it can be lightly coated with oil, and you will have no
problems with rust. If it has to be out where people can handle it,
then you might want stainless.

The Micro-Mark probably could make a 4" x 4" *square* pocket
fairly easily. Though you might have to make two or three passes with
Stainless to get 1/16" deep. To make a round one on a small machine,
you would be better off with a rotary table -- *if* the overall size of
the workpiece is small enough so the corners will clear the column as
it is being rotated.

*** BTW, as far as a drill presses short-comings as a mill, if we apply
what was said to a lathe instead of a drill press? Would most of the
same issues apply?

A lathe is a *lot* better as a mill than a drill press is. The
setup is awkward, and the travel is less than you would probably like,
but since the spindle is hollow, you can fit a drawbar to hold the
endmill in a collet (or in an endmill holder) in place. The lathe is
designed for lateral loads. Mostly, the problems are with the
orientation of the milling cutter to the work, and the added stuff
needed to give a vertical axis -- which is usually not as good as the
rest of the lathe.

That said -- model makers, in particular in England, do some
amazing milling in a lathe.

Enjoy,
DoN.
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