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It's basically an Optimum MB4 (a clone/rebadged one, but specifying the exact model would probably dox me).

It's fucking heavy, around 320kg to start with. Almost busted my engine crane getting it off the trailer. Spent about a week making an massively overbuilt stand for it. Still need to tram the head (hopefully the column is reasonably true, as I don't currently have the tools required to check that with any degree of accuracy, but will probably get them some time soon) and install the vise. Then I can start breaking end mills and generally fucking up everything I do for a year or two.

Hopefully I can make something that's worthwhile posting here. Time will tell.

It's basically an Optimum MB4 (a clone/rebadged one, but specifying the exact model would probably dox me). It's fucking heavy, around 320kg to start with. Almost busted my engine crane getting it off the trailer. Spent about a week making an massively overbuilt stand for it. Still need to tram the head (hopefully the column is reasonably true, as I don't currently have the tools required to check that with any degree of accuracy, but will probably get them some time soon) and install the vise. Then I can start breaking end mills and generally fucking up everything I do for a year or two. Hopefully I can make something that's worthwhile posting here. Time will tell.

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[–] • 1 pt

A 1 year warranty with something like that? (Or is yours longer). That's a hefty price tag (unless your clone is a lot cheaper?).

Nice bit of kit.

[–] • 0 pt

The basic package i got was around AUD$6k, that included the mill, DRO, x-axis power feed and some basic tooling: vise, clamp kit, ER32 collets and holder and some end mills.

I tried to pick one (basically the same) up second hand at auction, but the price got too close to the new price for me. That's encouraging though, shows these machines have good resale value (not that I plan on selling it any time soon).

I'm not too worried about the warranty. Gear like this is either DOA or good generally. It's a relatively cheap Chinese machine, so you need to expect some flaws that can be improved upon a time and skill permits.

I did an initial tramming of the head last night and it seems there is some nod (which cannot easily be adjusted on this type of machine). I'll need to get a precision machinists square to figure out how much and whether it's the column or the head, then I'll probably just shim it for now. Perhaps in the future I could level with epoxy or scrape in the surfaces (that's outside my skill set at the moment though).