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a Used Bridgeport milling machine
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jpanhalt:
For pieces that small and with a budget, I second a new or good used smaller mill.  Here is a thread I started on my shop: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/mechanical-engineering/my-new-shop/msg5106417/#msg5106417

The first picture shows the mill (left tool, red) I used since 2003. It was less than $200 at Harbor Freight and many would call it junk.  X and Y axis run reasonably true, but you can't trust the dials completely (leadscrew is inaccurate as are thrust bearings).  Z axis is basically unusable.  You can feed with it, but I adapted a dial indicator to show depth.  I would not recommend it, but one can get thousandth accuracy on aluminum with a bit of effort.  I made a motor mounts for models (attachment1) and a stencil printer with it.  Something in the $500 to $1,000 category would probably be better.  Maybe a Jet brand?

Depending on the machine for accuracy is a fallacy.  Your measuring tools and effort is what gives accuracy.  One of the old sayings is that CNC doesn't make things more accurately.  It achieves the same accuracy quicker.   

Bridgeports give greater capacity and more rigidity.  New ones made by Hardinge, of course, are quite nice, accurate, and expensive. 
MarkF:
Also, checkout the 'Blondihacks' Youtube channel.

Specifically a modification she made to her PM-728VT mill.

 

Also.

 
LaserSteve:
The correct answer is your looking for a "Rebuilt" Bridgeport, and you need to be careful about the requirement for 3 phase power.  While modern VFDs used as a phase converter are awesome, there can be issues with older motors.    I have a used Bridgeport clone.  Issues are, finding a location big enough with a strong enough floor.  10-20 thousandths of an inch slop in the X axis, finding parts, and the lack of a DRO, if you want to hit .001 Inch tolerances, you need a machine capable of .0001".     I can get close with practice, even with the wear on the cross block, but I have to use a thick lubricant and a external dial indicator.   Getting 2700 Lbs/ 1250 Kg into your home can be interesting.   Also, choose your spindle wisely.  R8 is a great size in the US for collets, but it might be probablematic getting "English" tooling in a metric world.   Get a good vise with replaceable jaws.  The quality of your Vise can make or break you.

These days Semi-professional table top machines in the 2000-3000$ and up class are fine for most hobbyists.    In your case a Lathe with a 4 jaw chuck and milling attachment might be far smaller and easier.

Every country in the World except North Korea probably has at least a few used  machines for sale at any time.

Expect to pay 1/2 to 3x the value of the machine for tooling.   I'd check out the Blondiehacks videos.     For most projects , you can hit that .001 on a beaten, used machine with shear determination, and even better if you have the three axis DRO. The question is how much of the bed travel can you maintain .001 over,  in my case, on a 40 year old machine, its about 10 cm.

Also if overseas, check lead screw threads and what the manual dials are calibrated in.

I'm not a fan of CNC for one off pieces.  I am a fan of CNC at 4 or more identical pieces.    A good belt sander is a great investment, and expect to need a good power band saw for any serious hobby work.

X2 family is generally too small for real home projects if you want to machine "normally".

Grab the table, pull on it very hard, if you can feel anything, don't buy the machine.  Buy a good dial indicator and test the used machine before purchasing.

Really, really check the spindle bearings and spindle runout over its whole travel.   Dropping the spindle  for bearing replacement in the home shop  is my next task, and that is not going to be fun.

Steve
Smokey:

--- Quote from: LaserSteve on October 13, 2023, 06:57:12 pm ---...
In your case a Lathe with a 4 jaw chuck and milling attachment might be far smaller and easier.
...

--- End quote ---

Yes, I understand that lathes are the "mother machines", but please don't make your lathe your only mill.  A completely worn out Bridgeport will be more useful than a lathe with a milling attachment. 
Milling on a lathe, in addition to having a tiny work envelope, is pretty terrible. 
thm_w:

--- Quote from: MarkF on October 13, 2023, 11:08:16 am ---Also, checkout the 'Blondihacks' Youtube channel.

Specifically a modification she made to her PM-728VT mill.

--- End quote ---

Something of this size makes far more sense than a Bridgeport. But it is still a bit limited for very small parts at 4,000 rpm spindle speed. You often want more than that if using small endmills and drills (<1/8" or 3mm). Depends on the desired feature sizes.

Sherline offers a 10,000 rpm spindle but the size of the machine might be too small and weak.
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