Have you ever looked at a knife you got from a manufacturer, even a particularly high quality knife, and wondered if you could make one that was just as good…if not better? If you are interested in beginning to craft your own tools, it could be worthwhile for you to look into purchasing a mini milling machine.
Mini milling machines open up a whole new world of opportunity for you to explore crafting your own tools and so much more. Read on to learn more about these amazing tool makers and what they can do for your workshop.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Mini Milling Machines
Comparison of the Best Mini Milling Machines
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What is a Mini Milling Machine and What Can You Do With One?
A mini milling machine is a miniaturized version of the larger milling machines that are used in shops and factories to make large quantities of various tools. Mini milling machines are much more accessible for home use, both in terms of size and in terms of cost, than a full size milling machine. Mini milling machines can shape metal parts, such as components of guns and knives and other tools. If you have ever been frustrated with store bought tools and wanted to just make your own, a mini mill could be a good option for you.
What Makes a Great Mini Milling Machine?
Because these are major pieces of equipment to purchase, it is worth taking some important qualities into consideration before buying:
Quality of Material
When shopping for mini milling machines, you will quickly see a noticeable difference in price between mini mills that are made almost entirely of metal and mini mills that have some plastic components. Do not fall for the lower price – the more metal a mill is made of, the more effective it will be.
Grizzly G8689 - Mini Milling Machine
Versatility
Despite their name, mini milling machines are still rather large pieces of equipment and can cost a considerable amount of money. If you are investing in a mini mill, you should invest in one that has some versatility and can handle a wide variety of different materials.
Durability
Of course, to go along with that same point, you also will not want to sink money in a mini milling machine that will burn out after just a few uses. Be careful to find a machine that has the durability to last through multiple projects.
Review of the Best Mini Milling Machines
Now that you are more familiar with the concept of mini milling machines, here is a list of some of the best products we were able to find on the market today:
Best Overall:
JET JMD-18 230 Volt 1 Phase Milling/Drilling Machine
PROS
CONS
The JET JMD-18 230 Volt 1 Phase Milling/Drilling Machine is our best overall choice for the most impressive mini milling machine we were able to find. This machine comes with a range of awesome features that make it really great to work with.
It comes wired to work with 110 volts, and can easily be changed to work with either 110 volts or 230 volts. This ability to switch the voltage gives you the option to save some energy if you would like, or to upgrade your machine’s power if you anticipate needing it for a particular project.
And this machine will work well on a wide range of different projects – users report this machine easily handles wood, aluminum, and even ceramics! It is on the heavier side, but JET has installed an eye bolt on top of the machine so it can be easily lifted up.
Bottom Line
The JET JMD-18 230 Volt 1 Phase Milling/Drilling Machine is a fantastic milling machine and our overall first choice. It can be a bit inconvenient to move the machine’s head around, though.
Runner-up:
SUNWIN Metal Mini Milling Machine
PROS
CONS
If your top priority is saving your pennies, but you still want a high quality, high functioning mini milling machine, we have found just the one for you: the SUNWIN Metal Mini Milling Machine!
In case you are completely thrown off by the low price and are having difficulty believing that this milling machine is actually quality, let us convince you by pointing out that this machine’s spindle, tailstock, pedestal, slider, motor blades, and even its gears are all made of one hundred percent metal parts.
This kind of quality makes this machine tough enough to mill even small bits of steel. Users report that the SUNWIN is best used for tasks such as gun smithing and knife making. You can’t really get more badass than that…
Bottom Line
The SUNWIN Metal Mini Milling Machine is a fantastic little milling machine that will impress both your inner hobbyist and your inner cheapster. It is a little laborious to set up and to adjust, though.
Best Mini Lathe Milling Machine Combo:
Erie Tools 7 x 14 Precision Bench Top Mini Metal Milling Lathe
PROS
CONS
The Erie Tool 7 x 14 Precision Bench Top Mini Metal Milling Lathe is an awesome, versatile little tool that can accomplish basically anything you ask of it. It is excellent for drilling, cutting, and turning, and it can work well on a wide range of different materials, including metal, wood, and even plastic.
Plus, it comes with everything you could possibly need to get it up and running and to maintain it: a lathe, a chuck key, a five piece carbide tipped cutter kit, external and internal chuck jaws, eleven feed rate gears, and an instruction manual. Oh, and that instruction manual is absolutely fantastic – it includes helpful photos that can assist you when you are initially assembling this machine.
Bottom Line
The Erie Tools 7 x 14 Precision Bench Top Mini Metal Milling Lathe is an awesome mini lathe milling machine that will be able to get any job done for you. Keep in mind that you will likely need to replace the plastic gears inside the headstock at some point, though.
Best By Klutch:
Klutch Mini Milling Machine 110V, ¾ HP
PROS
CONS
The Klutch Mini Milling Machine – 110V, ¾ HP is a fantastic little milling machine produced by the reliable Klutch brand. This machine is high quality – almost of its gears are made entirely of metal, with the exception of the gears inside the head stock, which are made of plastic in order to reduce the potential for the machine to create excessive noise.
And, this machine is versatile – both its milling head and its column can tilt 45 degrees to the left and to the right. Users report that this mini milling machine is especially effective when working with steel, which is a rarity in milling machines that are smaller. There is really not much to dislike about the Klutch Mini Milling Machine – 110V, ¾ HP.
Bottom Line
The Klutch Mini Milling Machine – 110V, ¾ HP is a top notch mini milling machine that you can trust with your most intense projects. Just know it does not come with its own stand, so you will likely have to bolt it down yourself.
Best By Grizzly:
Grizzly G8689 Mini Milling Machine
PROS
CONS
The Grizzly G8689 – Mini Milling Machine is certainly one of the most effective mini milling machines on this list – and definitely the most effective one sold by the reputable Grizzly brand! Grizzly is well known for making excellent tools, and with the G8689, they certainly do not disappoint.
First and foremost, this is a tool that can be effectively used by anyone, even someone with little to no experience working with milling. Users report not ever having run a mill before and feeling entirely comfortable using this tool because of the awesome and thoroughly detailed instructions for use they could find in the included operation manual.
And, this mill is strong enough to be able to be effectively used even on tool steel. There really is not much the Grizzly G8689 – Mini Milling Machine will not be able to handle.
Bottom Line
The Grizzly G8689 – Mini Milling Machine is a top notch mini milling machine that can mill whatever you may want to throw at it. Just keep in mind that it is not intended to be used for precision drilling projects.
6. OTMT OT2213 X2 Variable Speed Mini Milling Machine
PROS
CONS
The OTMT OT2213 X2 Variable Speed Mini Milling Machine finishes just in second place for best overall mini milling machine, right behind the JET JMD-18 230 Volt 1 Phase Milling/Drilling Machine. But do not think this is because of any fault of the OTMT!
This machine has got it going on. Its head can tilt a full 45 degrees both to the left and to the right, so that users have the most accuracy and control possible when they are working.
It has a variable speed setting with two speed ranges. The low range works up to 1,100 RPM, and the high range goes from 1,1000 RPM to 2,500 RPM.
This machine also has both a fine feed for milling and coarse feed for drilling. Oh, and the warranty is pretty top notch – it has a thirty day warranty for manufacturing defects, and a full year warranty for parts!
Bottom Line
The OTMT OT2213 X2 Variable Speed Mini Milling Machine is a fantastic mini milling machine and our choice for runner-up. But be forewarned that some of this machine’s gears are made of plastic instead of metal.
Best Mini Vertical Milling Machine:
Erie Tools Variable Speed Mini Milling Machine Benchtop Drilling and Machining
PROS
CONS
If you are looking for a fantastic mini milling machine, but keep getting frustrated because all of the most high quality mini milling machines are all horizontal and you are in the market for a vertical machine that can do everything a horizontal machine can do…you are finally in luck! The Erie Tools Variable Speed Mini Milling Machine Benchtop Drilling and Machining is the machine for you.
This machine is accessible and usable for anyone, even people with little to no experience working with milling. Which is not to say that this machine can’t accomplish some serious mill work – it is designed for dilling, face milling, and deep milling, and it can do all extremely effectively. And, it is recommended by hobbyist mill workers.
Bottom Line
The Erie Tools Variable Speed Mini Milling Machine Benchtop Drilling and Machining is a great little vertical milling machine that will not disappoint. It is top heavy, so make sure you firmly secure it before using it.
Conclusion
Mini milling machines can truly change up the game when it comes to creating, well…pretty much anything! Whether you are in the market to make your own knives, to craft components of a gun, or really to work with any sort of tool or metal surface in order to make it completely your own, a mini milling machine will do the trick for you.
Make sure you keep in mind what you are most looking for in a milling machine, and find yourself a machine with some great versatility and stability, and is built to last you a long, long time. If you choose one of the stellar products from our list, we promise you will not be disappointed!
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