Wen 33013 benchtop milling Machine

A quick overview of the Wen compact mill. Nice mill for the garage or basement for light duty mill jobs. Travel in X=5 1/8", Y=11" 13/16, Z=7" variable 2 speed 0-1100 rpm & 0-2500 rpm

[@johnsims5330]

Thank you. That helped. I was trying to figure out how to get the spindle to travel. It doesn't. LoL. That helped bunches.

[@TheTreegodfather]

I have the same mill. You're definitely going to end up either replacing the gears... Or just doing the belt drive conversion. I went with the latter. I also built an autofeed for the X axis. There's things you can do to take up the backlash, and if you tram the head in, it'll hold it pretty good.

[@capthowdy126]

where can u get the belt upgrade, i just ordered one of these an its suppose to take almost a month to be shipped to me so while i wait im going to try to find as many upgrades for it as i can that way i have some what of an idea where to get stuff for it. i wanted to get the sieg x2d or little machine shops machine but it was just out of my budget after shipping so the wen was the only one that was within the price range with free shipping so it was the only one i was able to get right now an its went up in price in the past week so i went ahead an got it now to keep from having it go up more an end up knocking me out of getting one anytime soon. i hope im able to get stuff from little machine shop for it i just havent taken the time to look an if i did wouldn't be 100% sure if i was getting the right thing.

[@Volundur9567]

Just about to get this and wanted to know what was the catch. I knew at under $1000, it wasn't going to be the best or most precise. Just needing it for really basic stuff.

[@MrWoodchuck59]

I haven't really tried precision work yet. I set up an indicator and the X & Y seem to be within .001 over an inch. I also put a piece of brass round stock in the collet & a lathe tool in the vice and used it like a lathe by moving the quill (head) down. That works well & I held .001" on the diameter.

[@richardsalinetrojr1957]

Considering on buying this exact same machine. was planning on buying a drill press due to fact I have 5 AR lowers I need to mill out prior to the start of building but thought this would work out better for the lowers than a straight drill press would. has anyone here used this mill for any lowers and if so any info I should know beforehand other than potentially stalling out the machine itself? any info would be great. would really love to get the ghost gunner 3 mill but I don't have 3k to spend Considering all the money I'm putting out to build 5 new rifles.

[@Mikesmeyer88]

That youll have to do it by eye or spend 3 weeks cleaning and trimming it

[@Thekingmaker]

Got this mill myself, currently converting to cnc.

[@MrWoodchuck59]

Let me know how it works out. I ran CNCs for 25 years in work, and I had a cnc router at home until it was lost in a garage fire. What are you getting for it?

[@Thekingmaker]

@@MrWoodchuck59 first cnc in my wokshop (besides 3d printer), wood worker for 20+ years, got into metalworking 2 years ago, finding myself needing somewhat more precise custom parts as I build out other machines/tools. So far it's going good, slow but got, I got her moving pretty accurately under cnc, have yet to do mu first serious piece as of yet tho.

[@kalebmasters5853]

@@Thekingmaker I'm trying to do the same thing, what steppers did you buy? I don't know how heavy duty stuff I need, I just want to be able to machine 1018 steel.

[@Thekingmaker]

@@kalebmasters5853 I purchased 425 oz./ 3nm steppers from stepperline on Amazon, I used the cnc fusion ballscrew kit also, so far so good , the ballscrew kit may require a bit of tedious adjusting as mine did, but once you got it dialed in , your good

[@Mikesmeyer88]

What did you do for trimming it? What kind of shape was your tablea assembly in? I got 1 and everything that was milled is like the mill they made it on was fucked up. Everything is horrible and came caked in grease

[@MrWoodchuck59]

I forgot to mention (for people new to milling) that when removing the collets, to only loosen the drawbar a couple turns and then give it a rap with soft metal like a lead or brass hammer. So that you don't damage the screw threads or hex on the drawbar.

[@SergeiPetrov]

If the taper does not come off, the bottom of the spindle must be leaned against a suitable metal stop on the table. Then strong blows land. This saves the spindle bearings (possibly saving :) ).

[@majordumptruck]

I’m looking on buying one but 900 is maybe a little high but I’m not shure

[@Coopdeville06]

I have the same mill and I definitely want to figure out a way to extend the z axis a bit.

[@tomt9543]

X and Y : 1 full turn = 1/16”

[@eliotmay0526]

new to milling. What should I order to secure my work? A vice of some sort . any suggestions?

[@MrWoodchuck59]

something like this www.vevor.com/mill-vise-c_10811/3-milling-machine-lockdown-vise-swivel-hardened-with-360-degree-swiveling-base-p_010962266701?gclid=CjwKCAiAqaWdBhAvEiwAGAQltvA2o2WB7N9T0-ImQSEWxaoHB97Hpeu54S8zMEGLTOJDESg2KVDApBoCJQgQAvD_BwE&v_tag=c80005c0-8561-11ed-9c65-7bf3a3cb056f.1

[@SergeiPetrov]

How stiff is your machine? I bought a similar mill. The only difference is the belt drive and the morse taper number 3. After the clamp rods were adjusted, all guides made full contact. (Before adjustment, the guides on the column on the side where the rod was mounted only touched the rod itself) and the machine stiffness increased by 10 kg of pressure from 0.05 mm deviation to 0.015-0.02 mm at the weakest point (along the longitudinal axis of the table).

[@MrWoodchuck59]

Well, it's a hobby machine, not industrial grade. Good enough for things I want to make for around the house. I spent over 40 years running manual & CNC mills, lathes, grinders & other equipment. If you want precision you will have to pay for it.

[@SergeiPetrov]

@@MrWoodchuck59 Unfortunately, the cutter doesn't know when to cut metal for money and when to cut for free. And the machine is stiff enough or not working. :(

[@MrWoodchuck59]

@@SergeiPetrov I wou say the mill is not rigid enough for precision work. Although I did put a piece of brass roundstock in the collet and a lathe tool it in the vice, and used it like a lathe. I held the diameter to .001"

[@SergeiPetrov]

@@MrWoodchuck59 Everything about this machine is well done except for the column. I measured the stiffness of individual links. The thin side of the column and the pivot point are the most flexible parts of the machine. Perhaps these are the consequences of an unsuccessful attempt to reduce production costs. And do not understand the rules of force stiffness. Reducing the geometric cross-section of the empty column is a bad decision. The cutter just won't cut in such a situation. Here is the solution to the problem kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKjdcmltlJKWd68

[@kalebmasters5853]

What tolerances were you able to hold?

[@luisvasquez581]

Have you ever thought about upgrading to a digital speed controller read out

[@MrWoodchuck59]

It would be nice, but I just eyeball it according to the end mill size and the material I'm cutting.

[@michaelfisher7835]

Should have just bought the HF one. Same model but a lot less money.

[@MrWoodchuck59]

Harbor Freight? I don't know if they are made by the same company. How would I find out for sure? I already bought this, but other people might want to know which machines are made by what companies.

[@michaelfisher7835]

@@MrWoodchuck59 All of these are made in China by the same manufacturers of which there are only a few. I cant remember those Chinese companies but just compare the features and you will see many are the same, just with different paint schemes. Right now the HF one is being offered online with the coupon for $719. Down from $899.

[@tomt9543]

@@MrWoodchuck59 They are both made by Sieg in China. They also make the Hy Torque lathes & mills sold by Little Machine Shop, several of the mini machine tools that Grizzly Industrial sells, along with the Northern Tool mini lathe and mill. LMS also sells machines labeled SIEG, and they are top quality stuff! The SIEG branded mini mill differs from the ones they make for everyone else in that the column is rigid, and doesn’t pivot. It makes for a much sturdier mill, and most people never have a reason to tilt the head anyhow!

[@alanmullen3916]

They are not exactly the same. The Wen has a larger table than the model from HF. When you factor in the shipping, it's a little over a hundred dollar difference. It may be worth it to some to have the larger table.

[@alanmullen3916]

@@MrWoodchuck59 They are made by Sieg. There are at least 7 different sub-models sold by different retailers. The one sold by HF has a smaller table than the Wen.

[@luisvasquez581]

Do u even think it’s possible to buy one and put one on

[@MrWoodchuck59]

I'm not sure what you're asking. Buy one what? and put what on?

[@Mikesmeyer88]

Its a sieg x2 with bigger table assembly. Still covered in grease, Still sloppy absolutely zero finishing

[@MrWoodchuck59]

I really wish there was something a little better without having to go to a full size mill. I spent 40 years as s toolmaker, I do miss using good machines.