Best Wood Milling Machine Reviews and Buying Guide 2020

First up in our milling machine reviews is the JET JMD-18 which serves double duty as a mill and drill press. Milling is its core function, though, and the JMD-18 is a fantastic way for anyone without the space or budget for a full-blooded milling machine to get some of the functionality of a mill without the five-figure price tag or monstrous weight.

Although the JET is not cheap, it’s not expensive if you compare it to a heavy milling machine. JET have been in business for more than half a decade and the company has moved from being a hardware generalist to an outfit specializing in all branches of woodworking and metalworking. The JMD-18 is ideal for working with both wood and metal.

We’ll give you a look at the main features of this nifty and hard-hitting drill mill before we break it down further for you…

One of the key advantages of the JET JMD-18 is its extremely user-friendly nature. If you’re intimidated by the complexity of many milling machines, this would make a fantastic starting point on your milling journey.

The single-phase 2HP motor runs on 230 volts so make sure in advance this is not a problem and meshes with your power supply. The UL-listed motor is not just a capable performer but built to last the distance as well. You’ll be able to work with wood, aluminum or tile without stressing the machine.

You’ll enjoy a range of 12 spindle speeds from 15RPM at the lower end on through to 3000RPM. The hinged belt cover has a quick action latch. When you want to switch speeds, you’ll be able to do so without needing to wait around. This is particularly valuable if you’re working in a shop where downtime is lost money.

The worktable is nice and spacious. Measuring 9 ½ inches by 31 ¾ inches, you’ll be able to handle even larger pieces of material without feeling cramped. There’s a work lamp chucked in so you’ll enjoy a clear line of sight even if your workshop is dim and gloomy.

Build quality is first rate. The column is a single piece of cast iron so it’s incredibly supportive even under heavy load. The roller bearings are rugged and built to last while also supporting the spindle to promote fine tolerance and a highly accurate drilling depth.

A few figures now relating to the all-important capacity…

You’ll get a drilling capacity of 1 ¼ inch with a swing of 15 7/8 inches. The face mill capacity is 3 inches while end mill capacity is ¾ inch. The maximum spindle distance is a full 18 inches.

Getting a milling machine is senseless if you need a PhD to operate it. Nothing could be further from the truth with the JET JMD-18. The sleek looking dials are a breeze to read, crucial if you’re working on intricate cutting projects. The depth gauge is also crisp and clear. This helps ensure you get consistent cutting results every time. The quick stop knob is easy to use and the head swivels through a full  360 degrees meaning you get the ultimate flexibility married with absolute precision.

Although primarily a milling machine, you’ll also be able to use the JET as a drill press. This is a nice touch given the price point.

Just about the only minor niggle with this milling machine is that the stand is not included. This wouldn’t be such an issue if it was not clearly pictured with one so make sure you’re aware of this to avoid a kick in the teeth when you open the package and find the machine void of stand. You will get a carbide face mill and vise thrown in as some compensation.

The only other negative to point out is not a flaw as much as a statement of fact. This milling machine is heavy. Very heavy. While it’s considered lightweight by the standards of multi-ton shop mills, it does tip the scales at over 700 pounds so make sure you factor this in.

If you don’t have the shop space or the budget to stretch to a behemoth of a milling machine but you aren’t prepared to compromise performance or precision, the JET JMD-18 is well worth popping on your shortlist. Very few lists of the best milling machine don’t feature this worthy piece of kit.

Although it couldn’t exactly be described as cheap, it’s certainly cheap for a milling machine. Throw in the additional drill press functionality and you’re looking at a unit that represents outstanding overall value for money.

Crowned with JET’s excellent 2-year limited warranty, there’s no reason we can think of for you not to buy this milling machine if you think its user-friendly and feature-rich nature makes the best fit with your cutting needs. Check one out today and we can guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

If you start researching the Shop Fox M1004, you’ll probably come across a great deal of conflicting information. Since milling machines are pretty complex beasts, this is perhaps understandable. In this review, we’ll strip away the fat and show you exactly where this powerhouse stands and falls so you can decide if it’s worth the considerable investment.

Fashioned from cast iron and precision-ground steel, the Shop Fox is a hard-hitting milling machine weighing an incredible 2465 pounds. This, coupled with a highly effective 2HP motor, means it’s more than able to deal with pretty much any cutting task you throw its way.

Raw power and strength are important with milling machines but that combination is useless without the key ingredient of precision. You’ll get an X and Y axis readout with machine error compensation so you can work to the tightest of tolerances with absolute confidence. You will need to get used to the relative complexity of this mill but it will be time very well spent and you’ll be rewarded with a machine fit for just about all milling projects.

Since it’s a vertical mill, you’ll get maximum flexibility whatever your cutting requirements.

The head is fixed on a rugged column and it rotates through 90 degrees. Tilting is good up to 45 degrees in either direction. The spindle to table distance is 18 ¾ inches while spindle travel is 5 inches.

Some other notable features include one-shot pump lubrication, auto stop, auto down feed and a longitudinal power feed.

The noteworthy drawbacks are limited to a lack of stand and light. Although these are by no means deal-breakers, it’s frankly underwhelming to spend this much money without those basics being covered.

A glance now at the pros and cons before we round out this milling machine review with our verdict…

Everyone has a different set of needs when on the trail of the best milling machine. If you have seriously hardcore cutting requirements, a cheap mini mill just won’t cut the ice. Luckily, the Shop Fox will deliver in fine style.

If you have a generous budget and consider a milling machine to be an investment rather than an expense, give some long, hard thought to checking out the M1004. If, on the other hand, you’re a home hobbyist looking for a small and lightweight mill for occasional use, this is clearly not the machine for you.

This is not the kind of machine for a beginner and you’ll need to be well-versed in milling to get the best out of the Shop Fox. It’s certainly not starter equipment so make sure you know this going in. Nothing about this machine would suggest it’s for casual use but it merits pointing out that you’ll need some skills in place to operate it effectively.

It’s almost impossible to award any given milling machine the label of the best milling machine on the market but the M1004 is a strong contender for the most effective option in this kind of price range.

Mini-mills are a step up from the miniature micro-mills but fall short of the much more substantial milling machines suitable for prolonged use in a commercial setting. If you have a workshop at home with plenty of space and want a mini-mill that punches above its weight, you should take a closer look at the OTMT.

The 1/2HP motor might seem a little on the small side but it kicks out sufficient power for the order of tasks you’ll be likely to tackle. The mill runs on 110 volts and you get low and high speeds so you can adjust the pace to suit the project. In the lower band, you can move between 0 and 1100RPM. Knock things up a gear and you can choose from speeds between 1100RPM and 2500RPM at the top end.

The OTMT has 2 feeds available. Roll with a coarse feed for all your drilling work or a fine feed for carrying out milling jobs. This is a nice extra in a machine in this price range.

Now for the all-important statistics…

In common with most mills, the head tilts at an angle of 45 degrees to left and right. The taper on the spindle is rated R8. The table travel is 8 2/3 inches crossways and 3 15/16 inches longitudinal. Head stock travel is 7 1/16 inches. The end milling capacity is 0.62 inches while face milling measures up at 1.81 inches. All this adds up to an extremely capable mill at a price you’ll love. You’ll be able to work comfortably with slightly larger projects while also turning your hand to smaller projects demanding precision and fine tolerances.

Aside from some feedback claiming there’s too much slack in both axes, there’s nothing of serious detriment to report with the OTMT mini-mill.

Take a look at the pros and cons before we deliver our verdict and move directly on with our milling machine guide…

Mini-mills make a wonderful happy medium for anyone who wants a little more reach and versatility than a micro-mill delivers without the expense or substantial footprint of a full-sized milling machine.

While some mills can be a real chore to get to grips with, the clear instructions and user-friendly nature of the OTMT makes it a smart choice even if you still have plenty to learn about milling.

As with all these machines, price is a question of relative degree. There are no worthwhile cheap mills so you need to consider overall value for money. On this count, the OTMT mini-mill will not disappoint.