tools, materials & knowledge for model makers
With any milling machine a set of clamps is a must first buy, a clamping kit has a selection of T-nuts, bars and studs. My clamping set is screwed to the wall behind the milling machine. Keeps the workbench clear and easy to access. This is one of the generic cheap 52 piece sets from … Read more
A review of the Warco HV4 4″/110mm Rotary Table. One of the main points to consider when selecting a rotary table is to go as big as you can within the limits of the milling machine that you want to use the table with. I have a small 3″ table that I have used with … Read more
An article about Upgrading the Mini Mill with Taper Roller Bearings, giving part numbers and the impact of changing to taper bearings. I bought an Amadeal XJ12-300 milling machine, sometimes called a Mini Mill, this is actually a Real Bull milling machine. I bought this as it was cheap, but since buying it I’ve spent a … Read more
The Mini Mill gearbox or more accurately, repairing the Mini Mill gearbox after you break the plastic gears. This is the Real Bull XJ9512 milling machine or for this particular case the Amadeal XJ12-300. I’d been using my mini mill (Amadeal XJ-300) for around 2 years and all was fine. Then I pushed it a … Read more
A review of the Amadeal XJ12-300 Milling Machine. I’ve been looking for a milling machine for some time and have been surfing the web. This can drive you insane as their are a number of machines on offer, some just a variation on a theme with a common source based in China (Real Bull Machine … Read more
Technically these are 10-20-40 and 20-40-80 Blocks and Arc Euro Trade calls them Stevenson’s Blocks, others call them 1 2 3 Blocks. Whatever the name these are really useful to support items on the milling table. Review Great for jacking up workpieces, aligning workpieces on a milling table or using as a measuring aid. Toughened … Read more
The Sieg SX2.3 milling machine is a machine for the model maker or hobbyist. I often have a browse around to look at the latest milling machines and to see if there is anything new. This means looking at Warco, Axminster Tools and ArcEuro – the latter two selling Sieg Industries made machines. On the … Read more
I have a heavy duty 3″ wide Soba machine vice, great for general use. However, I often want a small precise vice to hold some of the smaller parts that I make. After much searching I ended up on arceurotrade.co.uk – a very easy company to deal with who deliver promptly. The dimensions are: Jaw … Read more
I was at the Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition and looking for a heavy vice for my milling machine (Amadeal XJ12-300). There are a lot of cheap vices around and you can find them starting at around £50 for a 3″ swivel vice. However, the cheaper vices have a very rough action. This Soba vice is … Read more
I was at a car boot fair wandering around and came across a stall selling tools. In a small tray there were a few milling cutters and one of them was this distinctive cutter – brand new and only £2…. Review The numbering is 1636 N Sp31,5 NC-N12 HSS-ECo8 This cutter has a very distinctive … Read more