Atlas Horizontal Mill - Useful??

[4156df]

I've got a chance to buy a small Atlas horizontal mill for a reasonable price, but am hesitating because I don't know if I'll use it enough to warrant the floor space it will take. Do any of you have a horizontal mill and, if so, do you find it useful?

This is the mill I'm talking about.

http://www.lathes.co.uk/atlasmiller/index.html

Thanks,
Dennis

 

[joeby]

A horizontal mill is a nice machine to have, but you may not use it everyday. They are great for gear cutting, fluting (reamers, taps), cutting splines, parting off (slitter saws), slot milling, keyways, etc.. They are also good for squaring up material when using a face mill (spindle is not likely to get out of square with the table), or just plain slab milling.

They aren't so great for drilling holes, milling pockets, etc., because of the limited "y" travel, lack of a quill, and poor visibility.

I have one, and I don't use it that often; but something always comes up that lets it earn it's keep.

Kevin

 

[4156df]

Thanks, Kevin. That's the kind of input I was looking for.
Regards,
Dennis

 

[lathe nut]

I have one and love it, Lathe Nut