This is a link to Cuppa Joe's machining site with Rong Fu Mill/Drill information. Searching for ways to improve my RF-31, I came across the following YouTube machining channel belonging to a video creator whose handle is 'Cuppa Joe.' The R8 drawbar can also be a little annoying. I saw a nice RF-31 the other day for $375 including vise.Īt any rate, being round columns, the Rong Fu's are notorious for losing tram whenever the head is moved up and down the round column. However, on craigslist you can often pick up a Rong Fu for just a little more cost than a mini-mill. The mill weighs well in excess of 400 pounds and you need an engine hoist or crane to move it. And while the mini-mil is a nice for small parts, the RF-31 is in an entirely different league. I have both an HF mini-mill and and RF-31 (Taiwan made).
Often we have to settle for one of the Rong Fu or RF clones - RF-20, RF-25, RF-30 or Rf-31- round column mill/driils. Many of us hobbyists can neither afford or have space/power for a Bridgeport or even an RF-45 square column mill.