Nice machine! Interesting project, too. Can you show us where you use these things you make, in the future? It would be nice to see that bracket in the car. Just the symmetry of being able to see where it is used, etc.
I like this company and the products they offer for the DIY market ... but things like this make me second guess that opinion. Im sure you are aware, Eastwood, that we all know we can make that part in less than 30 minutes with an angle grinder and hand-held drill. With a machine of this size please dont try to tell me the precision is better, given the chatter, vibration.
So this project is less about the project and more about showing you the kind of things the mini mill can be used to make. To your point, cutting and drilling could be done with other tools but the facing to offset the part would be difficult to do and make even/flat without a tool like this.
This video came across my notifications and this thing is a joke lol. Don't waste your money on it. It would just chatter and give horrible finish trying to make any cuts people have in mind doing when they think about buying this toy. Most it would be good for is cutting plastic, nylon and maybe delrin. People, before you have thoughts of buying this thing and just milling away in your mind, looking up on google it even better here in RU-vid a Bridgeport series 1 milling machine, which is just one type I have in my machine shop, see the size robust, and weight of that machine then note that we still fight chatter making cuts on them. Of course it's much Larger cuts but you will get the point. Don't waste your money in this, and just save up $1500 and find a tool action and buy a wore out REAL Milling machine. Even being completely wore out, you will be able to do way more and with better results than with this Chinese junk.
I'm not sure what a good use for this machine would be. Model making maybe. Heavier is better when it comes to milling, not just weight but support structure. Motor hp isn't a terribly big deal but VS control results in much less power when turned to slow speeds required for steel, not that this mill is made for steel. I have an older Jet knee mill 3hp mechanical VS. They can be had for less than this mini mill used in fairly decent condition. BUT you need to be able to tell if it has problems before buying. Repairs can be expensive. On the other had they often come with some tooling, a vice and maybe power feed(s.) Consider your future needs before buying.
