AMYAMY Milling Machine Worktable - 350x100mm Cross Slide Table with Adjustable X-Y Axis for Precision Drilling | Perfect for Bench Drill, Metalworking & DIY Projects

This compound table is something I wish I could have gotten long ago. I looked at a usage video of the product under another brand name on Youtube and realized that the reviewer didn't seem to have a lot of experience milling but the device seemed to be performing rather well given the environment. The vibration he was detecting in the video came from the clamping system of the unit, which truly isn't up to machining metals without some modifications. These vibrations then flowed down into the mount holding the table to his drill press. Vibrations flow through metal like water and harmonics cause failures. The quality of the unit's build kept him from being injured in my humble opinion. After seeing the video I decided to ordered it and see what it could do with proper mounting. I'm deeply impressed with what you get for the money you spend. This tool fills a niche that has been sorely (not?!) served over the years. People who need a milling compound table, that is small, light and doesn't require one to take out a mortgage to afford. I'll put forward its major weakness right here, the table clamp it comes with is a joke for anything but stuff in foam and plastics. On the flip side, with some creativity and using the nuts and bolts that comprise the clamp you can make one for next to nothing and reap the full benefits of the machine. Preppers might have a special interest in this unit as at 5lbs it can readily fit into a bug out bag and give those with the right skills the ability to do things they would otherwise not be able to without finding a machine of the right type. Some people just like to have the ability to build/fix their own stuff without the need for others.I've used top end milling equipment before so I will qualify my compliments with "for the price point" a lot. This is in no way demeaning as high end equipment of this type is literally 10 to 20 times the price of this unit! While I do appreciate having the capability to machine at tolerances for the innards of a high performance car engine like most people my home workspace is limited and my budget is as well. Large commercial shops can afford that sort of equipment, the home hobbyist needs less demanding tolerances and mass but similar general capabilities. Step in this unit. The thing is small and constructed as lightly as it can be to maintain capability and reduce weight. Don't expect to be doing milling of heavy pieces on it as the weight of heavy pieces of steel would literally deform the table. That said you can definitely do serious work on it with lighter pieces IF you have the right drill press and even more importantly can securely clamp your work to the table i.e. can build, buy or fashion proper clamping.The unit I received had no play, the table surface was flawless, the base was sturdily constructed of strong metal alloy (for the weight limitations) and the attachments were of thick gauge steel (bolts and connecting plates for the clamp). All of this is per the price point. You get a lot more than what you pay for. You have to be careful when pushing near the bounds of the table's movement as you can damage it if you go beyond the movement limits. The stops are just thin pieces of material. Know your tool, keep focus on the limits when milling as there are no safety stops made of chunky metal, etc. In my opinion this was done purposefully to reduce weight and cost. You need to compensate with common sense.Protect the table from direct contact with sharp metal parts etc since we're definitely not dealing with hardened steel here, feels/weighs more like an aluminum alloy. You can use the provided screws for the clamp to create your own clamping system to hold work to the table. You also need to securely clamp the table to your drill press or whatever drilling tool you're using to turn the milling bits. The only problem with providing capability like this at this price point is people who are unfamiliar with the dangers of milling may be tempted to buy this machine and attempt milling they've seen done by people with decades of experience. Spinning objects at hundreds or thousands of rpm can fly loose at speeds of many tens or even a hundred plus miles per hour. The same argument could be made for a drill press but MOVING THE PIECE while drilling increases the need for secure clamping. If you get whacked with a 2 inch piece of high density foam or soft plastic at 60mph you may be sore for a week but get hit with a sharp piece of metal at this speed and it could be a dirt nap.A machining system rotates around the quality of the clamp that holds the piece!! This tiny, light machine with even a smaller drill press, the right clamping system and the right bits could work small pieces of steel. However out of the box with the clamps provided I think plastics and wood are the only thing I'd risk using it with. Using the clamping systems I've fashioned and taking my time with small pieces the table performed flawlessly with steel. Taking off small bits slowly is the key as a previous reviewer astutely noted. I must note my drill press is quite beefy and I have the capability to control the depth of my spindle very accurately for my pilot hole via an analog lever.By using over the counter standard threaded rods this unit can technically be serviced easily by anyone, anywhere in the world. I've already found so many uses for it I'm amazed. Safety first, be aware of drill press lateral load limitations on bits and you will be amazed at the creativity the simple little tool can bring to your workspace if you lacked a compound table connected to a metal capable routing system. I've spent all of my milling time with it constructing clamping systems for it so I can mill many different items at different tolerances. Once you recognize its limitations this unit can serve as a key building block for your workshop where yo use it to fashion other tools or attachments for it to make it into other tool types. Hats off to the developers and vendors of this product for empowering the masses with a cheap compound table of sufficient quality for serious work.