Mill question

[The patriot]

OK. I did santa good this summer with a 1. 5+ Ct ring GSI rated diamond yada yada yada, so I'm due this Christmas. It will be a "combined christmas, birthday" thing.

Well actually I told Santa that I'd need to build myself a 6. 5 Grendel to seal the deal, but guess that's on the back burner due to this.

I'm undecided between this:

G0619 6" x 21" Mill / Drill

And this:

Top Tech Geared Head Mill/Drill Dovetail Column - Swivel Head 90° << Metal Working Machinery << Online Catalog << Penn Tool Co.



Yea yea I know... a bridgeport will be better however I do not have 3 phase in the garage. If I were to go for a B'port I'd need to get a VFD and theyre big $$$.

Besides I'm doing this out of my garage, so I am somewhat limited in size.

I dont plan on making money with this thing, just diddling around and figured I'd make myself some lower receivers.

I've always wanted to do this. I didnt get much time at work to fiddle with the B'port, but I did get a little time in on it.

This is at the upper limit (actually a little over) of my budget, so I'll still need to get some basic tooling.

Penn tools is about an hour from me, so I'll save shipping on that one. But I will need to pay tax. About + $100.

Santa's ring this summer was OVER 2X's the price of the more expensive mill, so she'll... . ah hem, I mean he will just need to "get over it".



I'd like to CNC this thing eventually. A cheap DRO will be following this purchase shortly.

 

[champspa]

I bought a 3 hp phase converter on eBay for about 300 . that will work just fine for a Bridgeport as it works for me. It also makes it a speed control as it can modify the signal. isn't digital controls great . get a mill the phase converter is great . did I say it's a new converter not used .

 

[The patriot]

I'd love to but
1 I dont know enough about mills to know if it's in good condition.
2 I really dont have that much room.

I know nothing is going to match the old heavy american iron as far as longevity , durability, and accuracy/repeatability.

I just dont want to need to hire riggers to get this thing home either.

If there was a 3/4 size copy of a BP I'd consider it.

The only way I'd do 3 ph is with a VFD.

My budget is VERY limited.

Edit: I do realize these are Chinese machines and they can sometimes mess up reverse engineering a bucket of spit, but they've been doing these for a while and most of the shortcomings/weaknesses can be found and fixed through a good search on the net.

 

[CKelley1]

i like my grizzly but the cen tek looks like a better buy

 

[The patriot]

Yea, the "top tech" is definitely bigger, and I assume more rigid. I have a good heavy work bench so I think it would be OK on that.
I also like the Grizzly. I've heard a LOT of good comments on their customer service, and if you ever need parts it's never a problem. Well written (even in English! ) manuals and festooned with GOOD pictures. Imagine that. :-laf
If I do take the plunge for the "TT" I'm hoping my work will be small enough that parts will not be a concern. :-laf
Also, the TT is about the biggest I can go w/o getting into big problems moving it. I dont think it would be a problem with an engine hoist. Anything bigger will require much more brute force and mechanical help.
I'm told that since these Chinese machines are pretty much all the same I could possibly match it up with a Grizzly and get an english manual and possibly parts if needed.

 

[champspa]

I'm sure you will enjoy the Mill - drill combo , just remember that you can digitally change that 3 phase at a reasonable price now in case you run across any great buys.

 

[MFerraro]

I don't agree the bridgeport would necessarily be the best pick. I have had several chances to purchase one but have passed. They just don't impress me. I have 3 milling machines. 2 are VanNorman, 1 is late 40's vintage, the other is early 70's vintage. The 3rd is an old Enco mill/drill. If you become very involved in machining I think you will find that the machine is the cheap part of the deal, no matter what you buy. If you want much tooling that is where you are going to spend all of your money. The VanNorman's are good heavy work horses. They are to old to be popular in modern shops so thay can be had very reasonable. The Enco is smaller and definately not as heavy duty. I think this would be the case for most "chinese" machinery. It does very well on small parts. It is very accurate. I haven't looked at anything similar lately, but it has no table feed. You must feed the table by hand. At times that can be a real pain. All 3 are 3 phase. I made what is called a rotory phase converter myself. I won't get into a big electrical argument here, but some "electricians" don't like it and say it isn't right. It has been working for me for 25 years. The biggest problem I have seen with any of the overseas machinery is the motor. Many of them don't seem to last very long.

Good luck, hope you find something that works for you.

 

[The patriot]

Here's another contender for a few bucks less. It's based on a German design.

G0704



Research found it's generally a good machine but I'm a little skeptical due to it's lack of weight. It comes with a stand, that is nice.

Anyone own one of these? Know someone who does?

 

[MFerraro]

I think your concern about weight is valid. As you compare machines I would look at the diameter of the column that supports the mill/drill head as well as trying to compare size and weight of the castings. The more rigid and the more mass the machine has the better it will perform. Some of the manufacturers used to rate thier machine by the max diameter mill you could use. From what I have seen many of the overseas mills were a bit over rated. You may also want to check as to what type of collets the machine accepts. Most ot the smaller machines used an R8 collet. This collet is very common which will make it much easier to find tooling. I would also suggest not skimping on your stand or table. Make sure it is very solid. This will help in keeping vibration to a min. You have to decide what the primary use for the machine will be and buy accordingly. If you have a local used machinery dealer I would suggest going there and taking a look around. There may be something used that will work fine for you.