The Best Mini Mills: Reviews of Top Benchtop Milling Machines

Benchtop milling machines, also known as mini milling machines, bring the convenience of milling into your very own workshop or garage.

They let hobbyists and professionals make precise cuts and holes in metal, plastic and wood.

Below are seven machines that range from a 2 HP mill/drill to palm-sized micro mills, followed by a buying guide and safety tips.

OUR TOP PICK

Our top pick is the JET JMD-18 350018 Phase Milling/Drilling Machine. It has a 2 HP motor with 12 belt speeds from 150 to 3,000 RPM, a 360-degree swiveling head and a 1-1/4-inch drilling capacity.

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The Best Benchtop Milling Machines Are:

Product	Details
1. JET JMD-18 350018 Phase Milling/Drilling Machine	1. JET JMD-18 350018 Phase Milling/Drilling Machine Top Pick	- Speed: 150 – 3,000 RPM - Drilling Capacity: 1-1/4 Inches - Power: 2 HP - Power Source: Electric-Powered - Weight: over 600 pounds	Check Current Price
2. Proxxon 34108 Micro Mill FF 230	2. Proxxon 34108 Micro Mill FF 230	- Speed: 280 – 2,200 RPM - Drilling Capacity: 13/32 Inches - Power: 140 W - Power Source: Electric-Powered - Weight: about 37 pounds	Check Current Price
3. OTMT OT2213 X2 Variable Speed Mini Milling Machine	3. OTMT OT2213 X2 Variable Speed Mini Milling Machine	- Speed: 0 – 2,500 RPM - Drilling Capacity: 13mm - Power: 1/2 HP - Power Source: Electric-Powered - Weight: 140 pounds	Check Current Price
4. SUNWIN Metal Mini Milling Machine	4. SUNWIN Metal Mini Milling Machine	- Speed: up to 2,000 RPM (spindle) - Drilling Capacity: N/A - Power: N/A - Power Source: Electric-Powered - Weight: 6.2 pounds	Check Current Price
5. Shop FOX M1110 Variable Speed Mill and Drill	5. Shop FOX M1110 Variable Speed Mill and Drill	- Speed: 0 – 2,000 RPM - Drilling Capacity: 1 Inch - Power: 1 HP - Power Source: Electric-Powered	Check Current Price
6. Proxxon 37110 Micro Mill MF 70	6. Proxxon 37110 Micro Mill MF 70	- Speed: 5,000 – 20,000 RPM - Collets: 1 to 3.2 mm - Power: 100 W - Power Source: Electric-Powered - Weight: about 15.5 pounds	Check Current Price
7. Klutch Mini Milling Machine 1/2HP	7. Klutch Mini Milling Machine 1/2HP	- Speed: 100– 2,500 RPM - Drilling Capacity: ½-Inch - Power: 1/2 HP - Power Source: Electric-Powered - Weight: 143 pounds	Check Current Price

1. JET JMD-18 350018 Phase Milling/Drilling Machine: Best Mini Mill

“The innovative design makes it a great choice for professionals, as they can fine-tune this dependable machine to get optimal results in their milling work.”

The JET JMD-18 is the most capable machine on this list, with the most power and versatility. The innovative design makes it a great choice for professionals, as they can fine-tune this dependable machine to get optimal results in their milling work.

The JET JMD-18 is very sturdy and durable, but it is also the priciest milling machine out of our recommendations, so that it may not be the best option for beginners.

The JET JMD-18 is the most powerful milling machine out of our recommendations, featuring a 2 HP motor. It handles steel and other common shop metals, which makes it a good choice for professionals.

This milling machine features an innovative and user-friendly design that allows you to fine-tune it to perfection. To begin with, the JET JMD-18 comes with an integrated work lamp that will always provide you with a clear overview of your work.

Additionally, it has a hinged belt cover for fast speed changes, easy-read dials, as well as an easy-to-read internal depth gauge.

The internal depth gauge paired with the quick-stop knob allows for consistency in milling. In addition, it comes with a 360-degree swiveling head, which will give you the optimal flexibility to achieve precision in your work.

“This milling machine features an innovative and user-friendly design that allows you to fine-tune it to perfection.”

There is even more versatility in the details of these features. For instance, there are 12-speed settings, which range from 150 to 3000 RPM.

The JET is an excellent choice for heavy-duty work as it is sturdy and durable. The machine has a cast iron column and a heavy-duty roller bearing to improve support and stability.

In addition, the cast iron column provides additional durability to the unit. It is also great for heavy-duty work because it comes with an extra-large worktable so that it can be used for large projects.

Specs

• Speed: 150 – 3,000 RPM
• Drilling Capacity: 1-1/4 Inches
• Power: 2 HP
• Power Source: Electric-Powered
• Weight: over 600 pounds

Pros

• Comes with a very powerful 2 HP motor
• Innovative and user-friendly design
• 360-degree swiveling head
• Highly versatile, as it comes with 12-speed settings

Cons

• Heavy and pricey

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2. Proxxon 34108 Micro Mill FF 230

“The Proxxon 34108 is our favorite recommendation for beginners, as it’s affordable, easy to use, and great for small projects at home.”

The Proxxon 34108 is our favorite recommendation for beginners, as it is affordable, easy to use, and great for small projects at home. It is also small and lightweight so that it can easily fit in small and cramped workshops.

While it offers excellent precision for milling lighter materials, it is not powerful enough to handle heavy-duty use or work with hard materials.

The Proxxon offers great value for your money, for although it is small and affordable, it is quite versatile. It has 6 belt speeds from 280 to 2,200 RPM and a 140-watt motor.

It also features 3 collets of 6, 8, and 10 mm for precise work with various materials. If you are a beginner, you will love the Proxxon, as it’s great for working on small projects, like scale models.

In fact, the Proxxon comes with many user-friendly features that will allow you to mill with a good deal of precision. It comes with a hand wheel that can be used to adjust the height and the fine mill feed.

It also features a 360-degree swivel head, which provides accurate positioning. Once you have set everything up, the quill and swivel head lock in place.

“If you’re a beginner, you’ll love the Proxxon, as it’s great for working on small projects, like scale models.”

The size and weight of the Proxxon make it ideal for small rooms. Proxxon lists it at about 17 kg (37 pounds) and 500 mm (20 inches) tall, with a 270 x 80 mm table.

Specs

• Speed: 280 – 2,200 RPM
• Drilling Capacity: 13/32 Inches
• Power: 140 W
• Power Source: Electric-Powered
• Weight: about 37 pounds

Pros

• Great value for your money
• Comes with several user-friendly features
• Convenient and very easy to use
• Lightweight and compact

Cons

• Not the best option for heavy-duty tasks

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3. OTMT OT2213 X2 Variable Speed Mini Milling Machine

“It’s quite user-friendly and offers versatility in terms of speed and dial adjustment.”

The OTMT OT2213 is a good X2-style mini mill if you are on a tighter budget. This is another small model that will fit perfectly into home workshops or cramped garages. It is quite user-friendly and offers versatility in terms of speed and dial adjustment.

The OTMT is quite versatile, especially considering its price tag. Although this milling machine has a much lower HP than the JET, it still has plenty of speed control and power for smaller projects. The 110 volt, ½ HP motor features two spindle speeds in a low and high range. The low range provides 0-1100 RPM, and the high range offers 1100-2500 RPM.

“Easy-to-read handwheel dials let you fine-tune each cut.”

The handwheel dials are easy to read, so you can fine-tune each cut. X2-class mills typically have 0.001-inch dial graduations, not 0.0001 inch. The milling machine’s head tilts 45 degrees to the left or right, helping you work with precision.

In addition, the OTMT features a fine feed for milling and a coarse feed for drilling. You can easily alternate between the two depending on what you are doing!

The OTMT is small enough to fit in a small room in your home or workshop. The ½ HP makes it a good choice for small home projects.

Specs

• Speed: 0 – 2,500 RPM
• Drilling Capacity: 13mm
• Power: 1/2 HP
• Power Source: Electric-Powered
• Weight: 140 pounds

Pros

• Versatile tool
• Facilitates precision in your milling work
• Compact enough to fit in a small room
• Two-speed ranges

Cons

• The OTMT may develop slack in the X and Y-axis over time.

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4. SUNWIN Metal Mini Milling Machine

The SUNWIN Metal Mini Milling Machine is a tiny, inexpensive hobby mill for very small parts. It is closer to a craft tool than to the other mills here.

Its slider, spindle and pedestal are metal. It weighs only 6.2 pounds. In addition to being lightweight, this machine is highly compact and it can fit even in smaller spaces.

It suits hobbyists who make small parts from wood, plastic and soft metal.

The motor spins at up to 20,000 RPM, and the spindle runs at up to 2,000 RPM. The slide travels 35mm and 45mm while the vice capacity is 25mmx35mm.

Specs

• Speed: up to 2,000 RPM
• Drilling Capacity: N/A
• Power: N/A
• Power Source: Electric-Powered
• Weight: 6.2 pounds

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Metal construction
• Compact and can fit in small spaces
• Super lightweight and very easy to install

Cons

• Not ideal for large jobs

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5. Shop FOX M1110 Variable Speed Mill and Drill

If you have a little more room in your budget when looking for the best benchtop milling machine, we highly recommend the Shop FOX M1110 Variable Speed Mill and Drill. It has a 1 horsepower motor with variable speed from 0 to 2,000 RPM, set with a dial.

It costs more than the small mills here, and the precision-ground cast-iron table makes it rigid and durable.

This machine features an x-axis wheel that allows for the adjustment of the benchtop table, providing you with adequate precision. Another wheel is also on the Y-axis, and the working procedure is the same as that of the X-axis wheel.

A fully geared lift system raises and lowers the head, and the head tilts up to 90 degrees.

A digital tachometer on the control panel shows spindle speed.

It has a clear chip guard so you can see the cut, and an easy-to-reach stop button.

Specs

• Speed: 0 – 2,000 RPM
• Drilling Capacity: 1 Inch
• Power: 1 HP
• Power Source: Electric-Powered

Pros

• 1 HP motor that supplies adequate power
• 90-degree tilting head for more flexibility
• Digital speed readout
• High-quality and durable construction

Cons

• The nuts do not adjust to the machine properly sometimes

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6. Proxxon 37110 Micro Mill MF 70

The Proxxon 37110 Micro Mill MF 70 is the next benchtop milling machine on our list. It is a well-made, very compact micro mill for small, precise work.

It can also serve as a small drill stand. It cuts aluminum, brass, plastics and wood, and can make light cuts in steel with small cutters.

Its 100-watt motor (about 1/8 horsepower) drives the spindle through a poly-V belt at a continuously variable 5,000 to 20,000 RPM. It also comes with a spacious worktable that measures 7-7/8 inches by 2-3/4 inches. The table also travels on both the X-axis and Y-axis. It weighs about 7 kg (15.5 pounds).

It comes with six triple-slit hardened steel collets: 1, 1.5, 2, 2.35, 3 and 3.2 mm. It suits optical, lab, electronics, jewelry and model building work.

Specs

• Speed: 5,000 – 20,000 RPM
• Collets: 1 to 3.2 mm
• Power: 100 W
• Power Source: Electric-Powered
• Weight: about 15.5 pounds

Pros

• Continuously variable speed
• It doubles as a small drill stand
• Compact and lightweight design
• Six collets included

Cons

• The vibration level is somewhat high

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7. Klutch Mini Milling Machine 1/2HP

Next up is the Mini Milling Machine from Klutch. It is reasonably priced and built from cast iron, so it should last for years with care.

It has a variable-speed, 1/2 horsepower (350-watt) motor, and owners note that it runs with low vibration.

Its milling head and column tilt up to 45 degrees in both directions. This gives you more versatility and flexibility when working on materials.

It is compact enough for a small garage or workshop.

The speed range is 100 to 2,500 RPM. Collets are sold separately. The drilling capacity and chuck size are both 1/2 inch.

Specs

• Speed: 100– 2,500 RPM
• Drilling Capacity: ½-Inch
• Power: 1/2 HP
• Power Source: Electric-Powered
• Weight: 143 pounds

Pros

• Very stable with low vibrations
• The milling head and column can tilt up to 45 degrees in both directions
• Compact
• Variable speed settings

Cons

• The drilling capacity is pretty small

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Choosing The Best Benchtop Milling Machine/Mini Milling Machine

Here are the factors to consider when choosing a mini milling machine for your workshop:

Power

Based on what materials you plan to mill, you should pick a machine with sufficient power to cut or drill through them. For metals such as steel, you want to choose a machine with high horsepower. Out of our recommendations, the JET JMD-18’s 2 HP makes it the ideal choice for this type of harder material.

“In a nutshell, for heavy-duty work on harder materials, look out for milling machines with 2 HP motors.”

If you are milling lighter metals such as brass, aluminum, or composites, as well as softer wood, you can go for any of our recommendations. Similarly, you can work scale models on just about any mini-milling machine.

Briefly, for heavy-duty work on harder materials, look out for milling machines with 2 HP motors. For lighter work – thin, soft metals and wood or scale models, anything from ⅛ HP should do the job.

Speed

Speed range matters, but harder materials need lower speeds, not higher ones. Steel and large cutters call for low RPM, while aluminum, plastics and small cutters need higher RPM.

“Harder materials and larger cutters need lower speeds; softer materials and small cutters need higher speeds.”

It is also good to check how many speed settings you can choose from. Some machines have preset speed settings for each type of material.

Other machines offer variable speed, which means you get to set the exact speed yourself. This can be a bit confusing if you are a beginner, but useful if you already have some experience in milling, as it allows you to fine-tune the settings.

Versatility

Look at head tilt, table travel and the collet or taper the spindle accepts (R8 is common on larger mini mills). These decide which jobs and tooling the machine can handle.

Size

Another vital factor you need to consider when buying a benchtop milling machine is the size of the machine. Heavier machines are more rigid, which lets them take deeper cuts in tougher materials with less chatter. They also take more space, and a 600-pound machine needs a stand or bench built for it.

Safety

Wear safety glasses and clamp the work in a vise bolted to the table. CCOHS advises no gloves, rings, watches or loose clothing near the machine, and stopping the cutter completely before measuring or adjusting work.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is A Milling Machine The Same Thing As A Drill Press?

A: No, it is not the same, although milling machines can drill as well. The difference is that drill presses only have a vertical axis, and are used to drill holes into materials.

A milling machine moves the work on a table along the X and Y axes (CNC mills can add more axes), so the side of the cutter can cut slots, pockets and flat faces. A drill press spindle is not built for those side loads.

Q: What Are The Materials Used For Making A Drilling And Milling Machine?

A: The machine body is usually cast iron. The cutters are made from materials such as high-speed steel, cobalt steel, cemented tungsten carbide, ceramics and diamond.

Depending on which material is used for the cutter, the milling machine will be able to handle harder or softer materials.

Q: What Is The Difference Between A Lathe And A Milling Machine?

A: The difference between a lathe and a milling machine is that lathes spin the material, while milling machines employ a spinning tool for different cutting applications.

What Is Next?

Hopefully, you were able to find the best new benchtop-milling machine for your workshop amongst our favorites – especially now that you know how to choose!

If you want to get better acquainted with the recommended units, just follow their title links to learn their prices and specifications, as well as read up on some customer reviews.

While we have you, make sure to see all the best milling machines reviewed!

Conclusion

The overall best benchtop milling machine is the JET JMD-18. This machine is ideal for professional and heavy-duty work. The fact that it is heavier and pricier than our other recommendations is justified by its quality, durability, and versatility.

The JET JMD-18 is our most powerful mini milling machine recommendation, with a 2HP motor. In addition, it features the highest speed limit. The cast iron column ensures the durability of the JET, while features such as the 360-degree swivel head will allow you to work with the greatest precision.

The Proxxon 34108 is our top recommendation for beginners to milling, as it is easy to use, small and lightweight, and ideal for small projects.

Although it is small and affordable, this machine offers a good deal of precision. Like the JET, it features a 360-degree swivel head for accurate milling. It has a smaller motor and speed range, so stick to small parts and softer materials.

The OTMT is our favorite budget-friendly recommendation, as despite being cheaper than the other options; it still offers decent versatility and precision.

Its easy-to-read handwheel dials and 45-degree tilting head make it a flexible small mill. The OTMT is another great mini-milling machine for smaller home projects.

Sources

• MICRO Milling Machine FF 230, Proxxon
• MICRO Milling Machine MF 70, Proxxon
• Metalworking Machines: Milling Machines, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety