SHOP FOX M1111 6-Inch by 21-Inch Mill and Drill

by Shop Fox

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Enjoy the precision ground dovetail column that allows for fast and easy tool changes without having to re-register the spindle centerline

Product Description

This M1111 Milling Machine has all of the important features of the M1110, but with a few extra time-saving luxuries. However, this mill is further fortified with a quick-tilt headstock for horizontal milling, 1 HP brushless motor, a multi-function digital depth scale on the quill, push-button speed control and digital spindle tachometer. The quick reversing tapping feature also makes hole threading simple. Just put the machine in "tapping mode", start the tap, and when the thread is completed, push the button at the end of the rack levers and the spindle reverses, immediately withdrawing the tap from the hole. The back-lit digital tachometer tells you the precise spindle speed for matching tooling and material. All of these extra features make the M1111 Milling Machine one of the most sought after machines available!

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 470 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B001R23SL8
• Item model number: M1111
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,312 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great benchtop milling machine, May 30, 2011

By 

G. Spangler (Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: SHOP FOX M1111 6-Inch by 21-Inch Mill and Drill (Tools & Home Improvement)

This is my first milling machine and I wanted something a little more robust than a mini mill. I was not disappointed with this machine.

First impression after uncrating - it was not covered in sticky red grease. There was a light coating of oily grease that was easy to clean off without using any solvent. Although it is recommended to bolt the machine down to a work surface (who needs a 440 pound machine toppling over) it comes with adjustable steel feet so that it may be leveled up without fastening down. For those familiar with a knee mill, this has similar controls with a hand wheel in the base, but instead of the work table rising or lowering, the head is adjusted up and down. By the way, the hand wheel for raising or lowering the head extends below the bottom of the base and needs to extend over the work bench edge. It would turn if the machine were on the leveling feed but nor easily. It takes a little effort to raise the head, but lowering is an easy, one hand operation. I am considering a balance weight to assist in raising the head, though it certainly does not need one. The addition of the DRO on the quill feed makes precise, measurable Z axis changes possible without adjusting the heavy head.

As shipped, the machine is quite accurate. upon tramming the head, I found it to be <0.001" out longitudinally (X axis) and zero laterally (Y axis.) This was easily adjusted by tilting the head, but the 0º index pin is no longer usable when it is true. The table and column are tight and solid with very little rocking. After a month of use the saddle gibbs need tightening up a bit as the work table sags a few thousandths when extended to its limit with heavy tooling on it. I would prefer a speed control knob to the increase decrease buttons as they are a bit slow. The machine always starts up at 100RPM and takes a short while to increase to high speed with the + button. Amazingly the motor is nearly instantly reversible at any speed. RPM readout is within about 5% compared to my digital tachometer.

The machine is far from ready to use as shipped. You will need basic tooling. I previously had a 3/16" clamp kit and a few end mills so I could try it out after getting it on my work bench. First job was to mill the T nuts a tiny bit as they would not slide in the T slots which are tighter than ½". The next essential would be a good milling vise and set of end mills. Tools can be held adequately in the supplied jacobs chuck, but a set of collets will provide more secure and precise tool holding. A dial indicator is existential to setting up any machine like this.

I am very satisfied with this machine and use it nearly every day, but I cannot say as much for some of the Shop Fox accessories I have tried.