Machinists Want These BenchTop Milling Machines

Discover the Facts - Review the Specs on Metalworking Mills for Home Hobby Machinists & Workshop Mechanics

Small Milling Machines - A Big Tool Room Mill in a Personalized Benchtop Machine

Find all the major name brand table top Mini Mills and Small Milling Machines in one place. Compare, review, buy a Small Desktop Machine that does the milling job you want done! Harness the precision that a benchtop milling machine provides.
A true Tabletop Milling Machine that sits on your workbench... Stop the dreaming and start the owning of one of these mini metalworking milling machines. Put one of these small metal milling machines in your workshop and gain the respect of your peers. Crank out those hard-to-find parts from scratch and amaze your buddies...
Oh yeah - time to pound our chests in glory.

Gear-Head Bench Top Mill

image desktop mini milling machine by gear-head model zx45
Gear-Head Mill-Drill, model ZX45

  • Table Size: 9 x 32
  • Table Slots:   5/8"  (x4)
  • 2 HP 110 or 220v Single Phase Motor
  • Hardened & Ground Ways
  • Square Column Design
  • Precision Ground Lead Screws
  • Rotating Head +/- 90 degrees
  • X Axis Travel: 22"
  • Y Axis Travel: 10"
  • Z Axis Spindle Travel: 5"
  • Spindle to Table max clearance: 18"
  • 6 Speeds: (90-1970 RPM)
  • R8 Spindle Taper
  • Automatic Power Spindle Feed
  • Weight: 750 pounds
  • One Year Parts Warranty

What is a Milling Machine?

A milling machine is a machine tool used to machine solid materials. Milling machines are often classed in two basic forms, horizontal and vertical, which refers to the orientation of the main spindle. Both types range in size from small, bench-mounted devices to room-sized machines. Unlike a drill press, which holds the workpiece stationary as the drill moves axially to penetrate the material, milling machines also move the workpiece radially against the rotating milling cutter, which cuts on its sides as well as its tip. Workpiece and cutter movement are precisely controlled to less than 0.001 in (0.025 mm), usually by means of precision ground slides and leadscrews or analogous technology. Milling machines may be manually operated, mechanically automated, or digitally automated via computer numerical control (CNC).


Milling machines can perform a vast number of operations, from simple (e.g., slot and keyway cutting, planing, drilling) to complex (e.g., contouring, diesinking). Cutting fluid is often pumped to the cutting site to cool and lubricate the cut and to wash away the resulting swarf.

Vertical Mill

Vertical milling machine. 1: milling cutter 2: spindle 3: top slide or overarm 4: column 5: table 6: Y-axis slide 7: knee 8: base
In the vertical mill the spindle axis is vertically oriented. Milling cutters are held in the spindle and rotate on its axis. The spindle can generally be extended (or the table can be raised/lowered, giving the same effect), allowing plunge cuts and drilling. There are two subcategories of vertical mills: the bed mill and the turret mill.
A turret mill has a stationary spindle and the table is moved both perpendicular and parallel to the spindle axis to accomplish cutting. The most common example of this type is the Bridgeport. Turret mills often have a quill which allows the milling cutter to be raised and lowered in a manner similar to a drill press. This type of machine provides two methods of cutting in the vertical (Z) direction: by raising or lowering the quill, and by moving the knee.
In the bed mill, however, the table moves only perpendicular to the spindle's axis, while the spindle itself moves parallel to its own axis.

Turret mills are generally considered by some to be more versatile of the two designs. However, turret mills are only practical as long as the machine remains relatively small. As machine size increases, moving the knee up and down requires considerable effort and it also becomes difficult to reach the quill feed handle (if equipped). Therefore, larger milling machines are usually of the bed type.

Also of note is a lighter machine, called a mill-drill. It is quite popular with hobbyists, due to its small size and lower price. A mill-drill is similar to a small drill press but equipped with an X-Y table.While smaller in size, these mini mills typically have all the features of their bigger brothers.

Shop Fox Small Mill-Drill

image of shopfox mill-drill benchtop milling machine model m1111
Download the Shop Fox User Manual
Shop Fox Benchtop Mini Milling Machine: model M1111
  • 1/2" Drill Chuck
  • Clutch-type Downfeed Mechanism
  • Graduations are in inches
  • 3" face mill
  • Motor: 2 HP, 110V/220V, single-phase
  • Spindle taper: R8
  • Spindle travel: 5"
  • Swing: 15-7/8"
  • Max Spindle to Table Clearance: 17-3/4"
  • Column size: 4-1/2"
  • Table size: 28-3/4" x 8-1/4"
  • X Axis Travel: 23-1/2"
  • Y Axis Travel: 7"
  • Drilling Max Capacity: 1-1/4"
  • Number of speeds: 12 (20-2500 RPM)
  • Approximate shipping weight: 620 lbs.

Grizzly Mill/Drill/Tapping Machine

image grizzly brand small milling machine model g8689
Grizzly Small Mini Milling Machine:
model G8689

  • Dovetail Column
  • Safety Shut-off
  • Adjustable Depth Stop
  • Fine Feed Head Control
  • 1/2" drilling capacity
  • 1" face milling capacity
  • Geared Drive
  • Zero Setting Dials
  • Inch Dial Readouts
  • Spindle taper: MT#3
  • Head travel: 7-1/2"
  • Head tilt: 45º both ways
  • Swing: 12-3/4"
  • Table size: 3-5/8" x 15-3/4"
  • X Axis Travel: 7-5/16"
  • Y Axis Travel: 4"
  • Max. dist. spindle to table: 11-1/2"
  • Variable speed (0-2500 RPM)
  • Motor: 3/4 HP
  • Approximate weight: 149 lbs.

Jet Hobbyist Milling/Drilling Machine

image jet benchtop milling machine model jmd-18 350018
JET Hobby Milling/Drilling Machine:
model JHM-610

The Jet Hobby Milling/Drilling Machine is ideal for the hobbyist, DIYer or professional. This JET metal dual-function hobby drilling/milling is a quality addition to your workshop to shape and drill metal and other solid material. This machine features cast iron design for vibration-free operation.
  • Powerful 150W DC-motor
  • Electronic variable speed with 2-step gear box
  • Left hand spindle rotation allows for tapping
  • 45° right/left tilt table column for flexible work
  • Compound table precision machined with adjustable dovetail guides
  • Micro adjustable spindle downfeed
  • Keyless chuck with MT-2 arbor
  • Drilling and milling guard

Jet Tabletop Mill

image jet benchtop milling machine model jmd-18 350018
Extra-Large Work Table for Bigger Jobs Thanks to its extra large, 9.5 x 31.75-inch worktable, the JMD-18 gives you the freedom to tackle larger scale projects that require more space and flexibility. And the included worklamp provides ample illumination of any size work piece, even in dim conditions.
Jet Table-Top Milling/Drilling Machine:
model JMD-18 350018

Wt.:
660 lb
Base Length:
15 3/4 in
Column Diam:
4 1/2 in
Table/Plate Width:
31 3/4 in
Table/Plate Length:
9 1/2 in
Width:
39 3/4 in
Swing:
15 7/8 in
Length:
42 1/2 in
Height:
43 1/2 in
Chuck to Table Distance:
18 in
Voltage:
230.00 V
Power Cap.:
2 hp
Phase:
Single
Cross Travel:
7 in
Table Travel:
24 in
Spindle Speed:
150 rpm Min 3000 rpm Max
No. of Speeds:
12
Drilling Cap.:
1 1/4 in
Spindle Thread:
R-8
Spindle Travel:
5 in
End Mill Cap.:
3/4 in
Face Mill Cap.:
3 in
Warranty:
2 Years