23 items, $12,920.41 total at current listed prices. Two machines that can make almost any hobby part, plus the inspection tools that make the parts fit. Who should not buy this: anyone still deciding whether they enjoy machining. Mills in this price range show very few sales on Amazon for a reason; most hobbyists are well served by the intermediate build for years.
Mechmaxx Metal Lathe Machine 11'' x 30'' High Precision Benchtop...
A 10 to 11 inch swing, a 1.5 HP brushless drive and a larger spindle bore take the work a benchtop lathe cannot.
Check price on AmazonWho this is for: A committed machinist with projects that need milled features, larger work and tenth-level measuring, and the bench space and power to support two machines.
The complete expert build list
Machine
Mechmaxx Metal Lathe Machine 11'' x 30'' High Precision Benchtop...
A 10 to 11 inch swing, a 1.5 HP brushless drive and a larger spindle bore take the work a benchtop lathe cannot.
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IntXanth 110V Benchtop Mini Milling Drilling Machine
R8 tooling, a real knee-free column and a table big enough for a 4 inch vise. The machine that adds flats, slots and bolt circles.
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JET 7" x 12" Metal Cutting Horizontal/Vertical Band Saw
Cuts bar stock square and unattended; the horizontal saw every serious shop ends up owning.
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JET 17-Inch Floor Drill Press
A heavy, 16 speed floor drill press with the low speeds large drills need in steel.
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JET 8-Inch Bench Grinder with Wire Wheel
For grinding HSS tool bits and drills; a solid grinder with true wheels is what makes a good tool edge.
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Tooling
Accusize 1/2 in Shank Indexable Carbide Turning Tool Set
A full boxed set of holders and inserts for steel and stainless at the speeds a larger lathe reaches.
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6Pcs Carbide Square End Mill Set 4-Flute TIALN Coated CNC Milling Bits
The basic mill tooling: 2, 3 and 4 flute cutters in common sizes.
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KnKut 115 Piece Jobber Length Drill Bit Set Numbers
Every drill size in one index, so no tap drill is ever missing.
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uxcell 3/8" 5/8" 1/2" 3/4" Chucking Reamer H7 Accuracy 6 Straight Flutes
Holes to a precise size and finish for pins and bearings.
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Tapping
IRWIN Tools 76 Piece Machine Screw/Fractional/Metric Tap and Hex Die...
The full range of sizes in both systems.
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Workholding
Kurt Industrial Crossover Vise - DX6
A precision milling vise with a repeatable jaw is the most used accessory on any mill.
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findmall 58 Pcs Pro-Series 1/2 Inch T-Slot 3/8 Inch-16 Stud Clamping...
Step blocks and studs for work too big for the vise.
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INPANOLS 26 Pcs ER32 Spring Collet Set
Accurate, repeatable holding for end mills and small round stock.
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findmall 20 Pair 1/32 x 6 Accuracy Parallel Block Set .0001 Hardened...
Raise work in the vise to a known, flat height.
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Measuring
Mitutoyo 500-196-32 Absolute Digimatic Caliper
A top-tier caliper you can trust as the shop reference.
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Fowler 52-215-006-1
Covers every diameter a 10 inch lathe realistically turns.
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Neoteck 0.03"/0.0005" Dial Test Indicator and 90lbs/40kg Magnetic...
Trams the mill head and indicates bores; the lever-style indicator a mill needs.
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iGAGING 12"/300mm Electronic Digital Height Gage
Layout and inspection from a surface plate.
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Woodriver Granite Surface Plate 9" X 12" X 2"
The flat reference that makes a height gauge meaningful.
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PEC Tools Mechanical Edge Finder
Locates a part edge on the mill to about 0.0005 inch.
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Machinery's Handbook
The standard reference for threads, fits, tolerances and speeds.
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Consumables
Tap Magic 30128P Pro Tap - 1 gal
A larger quantity for regular tapping and threading in steel.
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Safety
Tellegloww 4 Pack Face Shield for Grinding Cutting
Full face protection for grinding and heavy cuts.
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Also for the shop: a machinist tool chest for measuring tools, the reference books worth owning, and the safety gear. Before cutting threads, check the change gear chart and the Morse taper chart for tailstock tooling.
What can you skip?
- A CNC conversion. Learn the manual machines first; the CNC path is a separate hobby with its own costs.
- A surface grinder. Precision ground stock and a good fly cutter cover nearly all hobby needs.
What should you upgrade first?
- A second vise and a rotary table for the mill.
- A power feed on the mill X axis for long, even finishing passes.
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Prices are live catalog prices at our last check and change often. Products researched from published specifications and verified owner reviews, not hands-on testing.