Proxon power tools

[Neverenoughwatches]

Hey watch people, i hope we are all well today. I've heard good things about Proxon in the past regarding their hand rotary tools such as the 12volt microdot and 240 volt versions. Does anyone have any experience with their bigger equipment ? I have an old Geneva pattern watchmaker's lathe and another old bigger lathe, not that I've done much with them as yet but i like to prepare for future levelling up in this hobby so when something comes my way at the right price i grab it. Becoming more independent another major piece of equipment to consider getting is a mini milling machine. Proxon have a few different priced models ranging from a meager £300 up to almost £1000. The specifications on the entry model MF70 look kind of ok for the price but some of the important info like runout is missing, it also available for cnc use. Reviews are mixed as reviews are very dependent on the knowledge that the reviewer has, but more positive than negative. Also is a bigger more functional model is the PF230 . Any thoughts would be appreciated

[ClaudioCavalli]

I have been eyeing their lathes and mills as well (fir future purchases).  I do have their Bench Drill Press TBM 115 with the Compound Table KT 70 and i can attest that it is very accurate and very well built.  I also would welcome any review of their bigger tools.

[JohnR725]

15 hours ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

The specifications on the entry model MF70 look kind of ok for the price but some of the important info like runout is missing, it also available for cnc use.

this does seem to be a very popular milling machine. Then if you toss in the word CNC conversion it seems to be extremely popular as it's a very easy mill to convert the CNC.

at one time a long time ago I saw someone making a watch with the milling machine and when I went back to find it again of course it's impossible because people failed to use the proper keywords for findability. But I know I've seen at least two people using it for watchmaking projects.

here is an interesting video showing what you can do with the milling machine and one of their lathes. so does an upgrade that in stepping motors and a custom controller that's not CNC at least not yet.

https://youtu.be/iVYIXzO6UtI?si=LkkqeS4KGcOthR5B

then a couple years later basically a new controller but you wouldn't have to build his you can buy something like that already made and now it's full CNC capable. Plus he adds in a really much nicer CNC programs of what most people use it cost a little money but it's not very expensive and it's a rather nice program which is called Estlcam.

https://youtu.be/ADKnGjk6h3E?si=B8LXs6fUQ4rQ3zos

so yes it does seem to be a popular milling machine. But finding affordable milling machines tends to be an issue for some unknown reason they seem to be rather expensive.

 

[Neverenoughwatches]

4 hours ago, ClaudioCavalli said:

I have been eyeing their lathes and mills as well (fir future purchases).  I do have their Bench Drill Press TBM 115 with the Compound Table KT 70 and i can attest that it is very accurate and very well built.  I also would welcome any review of their bigger tools.

Thanks claudio, i quite like the look of that drill as well, that would be the 3 speed not variable ? Not a bad price if its ok

1 hour ago, JohnR725 said:

this does seem to be a very popular milling machine. Then if you toss in the word CNC conversion it seems to be extremely popular as it's a very easy mill to convert the CNC.

at one time a long time ago I saw someone making a watch with the milling machine and when I went back to find it again of course it's impossible because people failed to use the proper keywords for findability. But I know I've seen at least two people using it for watchmaking projects.

here is an interesting video showing what you can do with the milling machine and one of their lathes. so does an upgrade that in stepping motors and a custom controller that's not CNC at least not yet.

https://youtu.be/iVYIXzO6UtI?si=LkkqeS4KGcOthR5B

then a couple years later basically a new controller but you wouldn't have to build his you can buy something like that already made and now it's full CNC capable. Plus he adds in a really much nicer CNC programs of what most people use it cost a little money but it's not very expensive and it's a rather nice program which is called Estlcam.

https://youtu.be/ADKnGjk6h3E?si=B8LXs6fUQ4rQ3zos

so yes it does seem to be a popular milling machine. But finding affordable milling machines tends to be an issue for some unknown reason they seem to be rather expensive.

 

Thanks for the useful information and videos John. 

[Dell]

Why buy a drill press if contemplating the purchase of a mill , I have Warco’s smallest mill WM12 and I have added DRO to it and I am happy with it and it’s cast iron not cast aluminium, I even use it for bushing and depthing for that matter but I only do clocks but I can make tools as well, recently made a T rest base for my Pultra & made the upright on the Myford.

Dell

Edited January 28, 2024 by Dell
Words missing

[JohnR725]

4 hours ago, Dell said:

I have Warco’s smallest mill WM12

minor problem it appears to be out of stock?

https://www.warco.co.uk/milling-machines/303103-wm-12-small-engineering-metalworking-milling-machine.html

 

 

[Neverenoughwatches]

6 hours ago, Dell said:

Why buy a drill press if contemplating the purchase of a mill , I have Warco’s smallest mill WM12 and I have added DRO to it and I am happy with it and it’s cast iron not cast aluminium, I even use it for bushing and depthing for that matter but I only do clocks but I can make tools as well, recently made a T rest base for my Pultra & made the upright on the Myford.

Dell

Like it Dell. Proxxon have the pf230, a bigger more functional mill that is steel and cast, bit less than a grand.

[Dell]

28 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Like it Dell. Proxxon have the pf230, a bigger more functional mill that is steel and cast, bit less than a grand.

There is a Warco mill for sale on model engineering but can’t remember what model it is but it was cheap and looked in good Nick.

[Neverenoughwatches]

30 minutes ago, Dell said:

There is a Warco mill for sale on model engineering but can’t remember what model it is but it was cheap and looked in good Nick.

Thanks Dell, its been sold , went for 350 bargain. New 950.  If i decide to go for a bigger machine i will look at this model. Much heavier at 50 kg than the  proxxon pf230 at only 17kg. Hows the Chinese quality of it ?

45 minutes ago, Dell said:

There is a Warco mill for sale on model engineering but can’t remember what model it is but it was cheap and looked in good Nick.

Wm14 plus accessories 

[Dell]

33 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Thanks Dell, its been sold , went for 350 bargain. New 950.  If i decide to go for a bigger machine i will look at this model. Much heavier at 50 kg than the  proxxon pf230 at only 17kg. Hows the Chinese quality of it ?

Wm14 plus accessories 

I have no complaints with my mill after tramming it and setting up the gibs, did knacker the sacrificial nylon gear once but that was my fault being to greedy with the cut but easily replaced , if I was to buy one now it would be the later belt driven one but we live and learn.

Dell

[Neverenoughwatches]

8 hours ago, Dell said:

I have no complaints with my mill after tramming it and setting up the gibs, did knacker the sacrificial nylon gear once but that was my fault being to greedy with the cut but easily replaced , if I was to buy one now it would be the later belt driven one but we live and learn.

Dell

Thanks Dell, its a later purchase for this year but a Warco is in the hat. I'm also waiting for those levin collets to be reduced for my lathe. Looking into an er collet conversion kit for it as well which might be an easier, cheaper option, the headstock spindle  thread is 28mm.