Gunsmithing New Mill Help Please

[woodsy]

Okay guys, I need some help.

I’ve outgrown my Lathemaster mill and am on the hunt for something a lot larger and more rigid. I had originally bought a mill and lathe for gunsmithing but I do quite a bit of “one-off” and misc fabricating/repair projects as well. Some of these have become quite the challenge to do on a small mill.

I’m looking for a Bridgeport clone in the 10” x 54” range. This new mill should have a VS head, coolant system, one-shot lube, power feeds on all axis, R8 spindle and 3 axis (knee) DRO. Been looking at the PM1054V but not sure of the quality and have not checked availability. Grizzly has models that closely fit the bill but are either lacking in one or more features or are priced a bit high. An ENCO looks like it’s going to be lacking a few desired features as well. A Turn Pro would fit but price is a bit high. Budget is $8-10K and looking to buy within the next month or so.

Any ideas/advise?

For the guys who might say that I should only be considering mill made in the US – find me one with the features that I’ve listed, as new and in my price range and I’m all ears. I’m not interested in buying something that’s going to take a while to refurbish as I want to hit the ground running. The plan is to unload the machine, plop it into place, wire it up and get to work. Doubtful that I can do that with a used one and expect “new machine” performance.

 

[hero's machine]

Re: New Mill Help Please

You might be waiting to receive a machine if you aren't flexible on some of that. Dro can be added. The power on the knee is not so common.....if you can relax your criteria a bit you stand a better chance.....kinda like women, lower the standard-raise the average.

 

[Killer Spade 13]

Re: New Mill Help Please

Lagun makes a good unit.

 

[skinnj1]

Re: New Mill Help Please

I'm guesseing everything you spec'd will come in closer to 12k than 8, at that point 17k+ for a 3 axis 40 taper cnc knee mill makes sense...even if you do not program real well yet most controls will allow you to use either a jog button or mpg wheel to make like a manul and most used cnc mills in the price range you are looking at have lots of life in the iron left , its the control parts and peices that can make you cry...good luck and let us know what you decide on

 

[MikeeBooshay]

Re: New Mill Help Please

When we can't find a good used Bridgeport ( which is usually not too hard) we buy a Lagun, pretty solid, a reasonable buy.

 

[woodsy]

Re: New Mill Help Please

Been looking at the Laguns and liking what I see so far.

Any idea of decent machinery dealers here in the midwest? I'm not opposed to a used machine IF I can find one in like new condition.

 

[Bibs Machine]

Re: New Mill Help Please

You could get a real nice Sharp mill for 8K to 10K and they are very good mills.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Re: New Mill Help Please

For a lot less than $8 - 10K, you can get a superb Bridgeport... with a lot of accessories. It's not the Mill that costs... it's the gear, bits, collets, etc. Mine is a 1960's Textronics (sp) Bridgeport, like new. Power feed on Vertical and X (not y). I put a DRO on it. It has One Shot. It was $2800.

And came with a huge assortment of collets, a vice, and a 90 degree head. I bought a rotary table later. It's a tank. Runs on straight 220 (not three-phase).

I don't generally run full-flow coolant, but when I need to run coolant, I use a couple of pans and clean up after. But rarely need coolant on a big enough machine.

Midwest is FULL of superb used machine tools. One trick is to search eBay. Don't bid on stuff, but use the site to review machines, find stuff in your area and then make the deal off-line and off the auction site. Anyone selling a used Bridgeport will be happy as a clam to talk and deal. If they are not, move on, because another machine will come along.

Don't buy sight unseen. Ever. Drive off and see one... They were all used only in the prototype shop clean room by a little old lady in church on Sunday... if you know what I mean. Check it out in person. Check the wipes. If they are dirty or full of chips and grit, that's an indication of a poorly-maintained machine.

You will have no problem getting a superb piece of equipment. And one nice thing about a Bridgeport is that parts and accessories are plentiful and cheap. Some of the more 'exotic' and foreign tools are very hard and expensive to kit out.

Just some thoughts...

Cheers,

Sirhr

 

[Boltfluter]

Re: New Mill Help Please

+1 on the Sharp. Great mill for the money.

Regards, Paul.

 

[bptactical]

Re: New Mill Help Please

Keep your eyes open on Craigslist and such. If you are willing to travel a bit you can find some great deals.
Know any machine shops/factories in your area?
It pays to pound the pavement.
That's how I found my '66 J head, a little one horse shop wanted to upgrade his mill.
The shop across the street from him had a later model variable speed for sale and he wanted it.
He had some of the cash but was a bit short so when I asked him what he wanted for the J head he told me if I made up the difference for the mill across the street and get it out of the shop ASAP it was mine.
Ok, so what was the difference?
$300.00!
Yup, 1966 J head for $300.00.
I called a buddies towing company on the way to the ATM and by the time I got back he was there with a rollback.
$75.00 to cart it home.
Its no virgin but I am not building the space shuttle either, it is more than adequate for me.

 

[woodsy]

Re: New Mill Help Please

I know a local guy who has his own machine shop. Was talking with him about a new mill a few weeks ago and he told me that he just scrapped a 10” x 54” Cincinnati! That’s how my luck goes.

 

[Straight Shooter]

Re: New Mill Help Please

I have a PM 9-49 and love it. The 10-54 is a beast. Matt will steer you right and you will have no regrets.