Some of this message may be off topic since it concerns the new Homier 12 Speed Drill Mill. If so, I'm sorry and I won't do it again. The mini lathe availablity is in the following paragraph.
For any who may be interested, I went to the Homier show in Bessemer, Alabama this morning (2-4-03) and they had 5 of the originial 7x12 mini lathes (one box was open and the way wipers etc., were on it), two mini mills and two $199.99 Drill Mills as of 11AM. The $599 mill drill sold before I got there at 9:45AM. The sale starts at 10 supposedly but folks were already leaving with their arms full when I arrived at 9:45AM. There was only one $199 Drill Mill when I left since I bought one. I already have both their mini mill and mini lathe via mail order. Other than a $100 dust collector and a few piddly odds and ends, the balance of the show was pretty slim. The savings on shipping is huge.
Since I haven't seen any other descriptions of the Drill Mill #3989 (3/4 HP Drilling and Tapping Machine), I'll post what I have measured so far for any who are interested.
This appears to be the same as the 12 speed Drill Mill Harbor Freight sells. Except it is a peculiar shade of red-orange. The paint really looks more like some kind of painted on filler glop and is cracked in places. It could really use a nice new overcoat of (fill in your favorite color here) paint.
Particulars:
-No vise
-MT2 spindle
-5/8" drill chuck
-Milling Table is 6" x 16 1/2"
-Travel is ~ 4 1/4" x 9" (the 4 1/4" is an estimate of where it would hit the column if it were installed.
-The backlash checked 0.008" on the x axis and 0.011" on the y.
-The handwheels are pitifully marked with stick on paper labels showing 1-4 with no zero and ten minor divisions. I measured 4mm travel per turn for each axis.
-Motor is 3/4HP UL Listed. I haven't gotten the head out of the box far enough to read the motor label yet. But the UL sticker is on the top side and the literature says it is 3/4 HP.
-The manual stinks. No specs at all.
The table movement is far smoother than either the mini mill or mini lathe. I bought it to do a CNC conversion when time permits. I'm intending to try it with the existing lead screw first with perhaps a mod to adjustable nuts to get the backlash down a little first. For $216 out the door it's a much less scary thing to try if I should attempt ball screws later. Plus I'll have the mini mill to work on it with.
Mike Nash
