What is a Milling Machine?

Milling machines are large tools that help refine and shape metal products by carefully removing excess material gradually. The multifaceted nature of a milling machine allows them to manufacture both flat, as well as highly irregular surfaces. For activities such as shaping steel blocks, coining, or molding plastics a milling machine is ideal. As a result, due to its versatility, a milling machine is considered to be the bread and butter for any CNC shop. From the perspective of a business owner, milling machines are extremely effective in the manufacturing process. Their efficiency also helps facilitate other benefits including reduced time and costs, while increasing production output and maximizing revenue.

What Do I need to Know Before I buy a Used Milling Machine?

Considering that a new milling machine can be quite expensive, buying a used milling machine can be a much more practical option. With that being said, here are a few factors you should consider before buying a used milling machine:

Factor #1 - Type of Milling Machine

Before buying a milling machine it's important to be aware of your options. Having said that, milling machines can come in two primary types which include,  horizontal as well as vertical mills. The main key to be aware of is to always choose the machine that will be suited to the type of cutting you intend to perform. For instance, if you are looking to manufacture pipes or gears horizontal mills would be better suited for this task. Additionally, due to the longer size of a horizontal mill, they are also ideal for manufacturing bezels, spirals, nuts, bolts, screws, as well as grooves for washers. Horizontal mills as the name suggests, is optimal for cutting on the horizontal plane. 

In addition to horizontal mills, vertical mills also have their own set of capabilities and benefits. As opposed to HMC’s, vertical mills cut in the vertical plane. They are optimal for projects where you are working on a single side such as operating with large metal plates. As opposed to horizontal machines, vertical machines also have a few sub-options. These include the following:

Mill Drills - (Least expensive option, lightweight, and smallest machine on this list)

Turret Mill - (Similar to a drill press, optimal for high precision designs)

Bed Mills - (Similar to a turret-mill but does not perform parallel cutting)

Factor #2 - Necessary Features

When looking to buy a milling machine it is critical that you acquire one with the desired features you need. The most important criteria of features to analyze include the following items:

Travels - (Relates to the idea of how far the area the metal is being cut is held)

Spindle Speed - (Analyze if you need a high or low spindle speed. High spindle speeds are optimal if manufacturing materials such as aluminum, laminates, or composite materials)

Manual Controls - (Determine if you need a manual mill or CNC mill)

For more information the previously mentioned factors you can also check out our Used Milling Machine Buyers Guide for more info!

Where Can I find a reliable Milling Machine for Sale?

All in all, making a good decision for buying a milling machine for sale, stems from working with a trusted supplier. With that being said, if you are looking to purchase a used milling machine, we specialize in servicing internationally in buying, selling and trading of machinery. We were initially started by a group of professional engineers with over 18 years of experience in the manufacturing industry. Ever since then, our company focuses on providing customers with an alternative to expensive new machinery. We provide reliable customer support, delivery and ongoing maintenance. Whether you are looking to tool up for a job or replace existing capital equipment, we have you covered. If you are interested in purchasing or need help with your purchasing decision do not hesitate to contact us and we would be glad to help!