wrote in message
...

I really don't want to get into a ****ing contest over this, but let's
get back to some basics:

1) small mill, therefore daylight space will be a consideration.
Set screw holders subtract from this because of their projection from
the spindle nose.
2) probably ONLY mill in shop, therefore daylight space is a
consideration, especially if larger dia. drills (longer) are
contemplated, along with a vise.
3) light mill/spindle construction, keep cutter projection from
spindle nose to a minimum.
4) set screw holders clamp the cutter with some eccentricity which is
detrimental to very small cutters when the chip-per-tooth load nears
the cutter run-out. Collets, good ones, run at better concentricity.

Just my thoughts.


OK, I shall referee :-)

I am sure you both make valid points and I appreciate the discussion. As a
result I had a further look at various web sites and made a couple of phone
calls.

The economics suggested by Wolfgang is valid perhaps in the USA but not in
Canada with the C-dollar plunging and the postages charged by US companies
(assuming always that, unlike e.g Grizzly, they actually ship to Canada).

From what you say I would conclude that *if* I wanted to buy a mill right
now I would be better off with this one:

http://www.houseoftools.com/product.htm?pid=18460

because of the accessories and a bigger motor as well as no shipping.

I suspect that for the moment it is academic. I just got excited seeing a
mill for under $700. On the positive side, I sure have learned a lot from
this thread.

--
Michael Koblic,
Campbell River, BC