Milling Machine, Lathe for Home Shop?

[Strykervet]

I'm posting this here instead of gunsmithing because I figure it'll get more traffic here and the one person I really want to see this most I know will see it here (sirhr).

So I wanna build a 1919, got to looking into it and I'll need to mill some parts out. I've really been wanting a mill and lathe for a while now so I can do other projects.

I don't wanna spend a fortune on this, don't wanna have to rewire the house either. I'm sure I'll probably have to run a 240 though since there isn't one out there.

Is Grizzly any good? Which one should I get? How about the lathe and is there a decent combo unit or are they all still junk?

It's hard to say how much it'd get used. If I need a part or something I can make, I'll do that, I'll use it make one off things here and there but to be honest, it probably won't get a whole lot of use. Hence not wanting to spend a fortune on it.

 

[Waorani]

If you haven't already, check out https://1919a4.com/forum.php

I've built several over the years but always just paid someone to do the internals. There's always been a couple of folks that did it for cheap so it wasn't worth risking me screwing up parts to save a few bucks. The 80% sideplate thing is about dead but 100% plates are available. KMP is pretty much the go to standard for semi triggers and also has RSPs. http://www.kmpclassicarms.com/

I stopped by the Grizzly showroom in Springfield, MO a few years ago and was not impressed by the general quality of their stuff. I've got an older Bridgeport and wouldn't trade it for a new Grizzly.

 

[Strykervet]

Oh I'd love a Bridgeport!

I thought about that, maybe hiring someone on here, but it's not the only project I wanna do.

For $2000 I know not to expect much out of both a lathe AND mill, but would it suffice? Would it "get it done" and not look like shit? Can you thread a barrel for a suppressor without excessive runout? Or mill out an AR receiver and have symmetrical sides? Is there enough room to actually do the work?

I get it's Chinese shit but I can't afford Japanese.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

There's a LOT that can be done with a 14x40 lathe and a 9x39 mill. "I know a guy..." and the biggest expense/holdback is the tooling to do the jobs that you want done. Go with the "phase converter" so that you can get/use the 3phase machine, and it works wonderfully.

Remember, it's the tooling where the money is going to drain you. Enjoy.

 

[Risingsea]

I'm posting this here instead of gunsmithing because I figure it'll get more traffic here and the one person I really want to see this most I know will see it here (sirhr).

So I wanna build a 1919, got to looking into it and I'll need to mill some parts out. I've really been wanting a mill and lathe for a while now so I can do other projects.

I don't wanna spend a fortune on this, don't wanna have to rewire the house either. I'm sure I'll probably have to run a 240 though since there isn't one out there.

Is Grizzly any good? Which one should I get? How about the lathe and is there a decent combo unit or are they all still junk?

It's hard to say how much it'd get used. If I need a part or something I can make, I'll do that, I'll use it make one off things here and there but to be honest, it probably won't get a whole lot of use. Hence not wanting to spend a fortune on it.

As long as you stick with smaller items, you might check out " little machine shop" . They have an assortment of mills and lathes.

Tooling, parts, and accessories for bench top machinists

The premier source of tooling, parts, and accessories for bench top machinists.

littlemachineshop.com

 

[W54/XM-388]

Go with the "phase converter" so that you can get/use the 3phase machine, and it works wonderfully.

 

[Romeo458]

I've got the Bolton 750. Its it was $2,500 with a lot of extras. Its a great machine.

 

[Strykervet]

Yeah, I was looking at those VFD's so that's maybe not so much of an issue...

I been looking on CL, there's a lot of good deals but some are simply too big... A couple are just literally being given away.

I guess I should keep my eyes peeled and then get back to you guys when I find a few I may be interested in. Like used ones to see if they're worth it before I buy it. I guess a mill is more important than the lathe for me right now.

I'll need a bit more cash to pull off one of these bigger models so it may have to wait a bit. With elections and the state of things I don't if it's better to stock up on shit I can't DIY this year or start working on projects...

 

[clcustom1911]

If you can track down a Tree 2UV-R, it's got a 1.5hp head and a 3/4hp table power feed bed of up to 70 feet per minute. Powdered quill feed, Bijour One-Shot lube system, etc.

Makes a standard Bridgeport of the same class look like a Chevy S10 vs a Chevy 1500HD.

 

[mudpig]

Hey Strykervet. I've got both a Grizzly lathe (G4003G) and Mill (G0757Z). Both seem to be rigid and accurate enough to do any Gunsmithing work. I've been extremely pleased with BOTH machines. As mentioned above, your real cost comes in the form of tooling to go with said machines.

 

[rezrocket]

I intended to do more 1911/2011 pistols for my side business. I ended up buying a small 727 Precision Matthews with a variable speed motor. They seemed like a good price for the money and were highly regarded in the machinist forums however I think many would agree this is no bridgeport but neither is the price tag. There is a machine for everyone.

I had no machining experience prior. I have already found my self wanting bigger. the machine envelope is good for pistols but man you run out of table travel quick on any other project. if I had it to do all over again I would buy into their full sized knee mills.

 

[QuickNDirty]

Oh I'd love a Bridgeport!

I thought about that, maybe hiring someone on here, but it's not the only project I wanna do.

For $2000 I know not to expect much out of both a lathe AND mill, but would it suffice? Would it "get it done" and not look like shit? Can you thread a barrel for a suppressor without excessive runout? Or mill out an AR receiver and have symmetrical sides? Is there enough room to actually do the work?

I get it's Chinese shit but I can't afford Japanese.

I just went through this whole process a while ago. Decided fuck the commies, if I can't buy American I ain't buying.

Toward that end, check the auctions. I came across a few decent condition Bridgeport and other American machinery for reasonable prices. The main downside there is I have to completely change up my garage to make one fit, plus, holy shit they are heavy and I don't have the equipment to move them myself.

 

[clcustom1911]

I just went through this whole process a while ago. Decided fuck the commies, if I can't buy American I ain't buying.

Toward that end, check the auctions. I came across a few decent condition Bridgeport and other American machinery for reasonable prices. The main downside there is I have to completely change up my garage to make one fit, plus, holy shit they are heavy and I don't have the equipment to move them myself.

That's how I got my mill. I actually traded a custom 1911 for it. The owner was a machine tool refurbished and had a Tree 2UV-R up on craigslist. And, yes, definitely need someone professional to move it. Fucking thing weighs like 3300 pounds. But it has only like 0.003-0.005" backlash on all the leaders screws in all axes.

 

[Gunfighter14e2]

Make sure it you buy second hand it's well tooled,... as the tooling is the "bring your banker part".

 

[clcustom1911]

Yes, tooling is where $$$ come in. Cutters ain't bad, but dividing heads, tailstocks, work-holding (1-2-3 blocks, v blocks, vise), measurement and inspection, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc ,etc, etc

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Actually have a neighbor who just passed... has an old Atlas Lathe and a Mill that his son wants to get rid of relatively cheap... WIth tooling. Good home is more important than all the $$ in the world. Bring a truck!

As CLC says above, the tooling and accessories are what get you! But much can be bought on eBay. You can easily spend a lot more on the tooling than on the mills.

PM me and I can put you in touch... though if you are in SoCal or the Left Coast, transit will cost more than the machines!

Cheers,

SIrhr

 

[Sean the Nailer]

I just went through this whole process a while ago. Decided fuck the commies, if I can't buy American I ain't buying.

Toward that end, check the auctions. I came across a few decent condition Bridgeport and other American machinery for reasonable prices. The main downside there is I have to completely change up my garage to make one fit, plus, holy shit they are heavy and I don't have the equipment to move them myself.

The first thing I will say in moving them, is small pipes. You'd be amazed as to how far, and how easily you can move machinery, simply by placing them on small pipes. (or shaft) generally less than 1" in diameter. One person can easily move a LOT of weight. Just go slow, and in a concerted effort.

 

[QuickNDirty]

The first thing I will say in moving them, is small pipes. You'd be amazed as to how far, and how easily you can move machinery, simply by placing them on small pipes. (or shaft) generally less than 1" in diameter. One person can easily move a LOT of weight. Just go slow, and in a concerted effort.

It's the trip from the road, up the driveway, over the step into the garage that I'm worried about. That measly 15 feet would be a real bitch squared for every additional 800 lbs.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

It's the trip from the road, up the driveway, over the step into the garage that I'm worried about. That measly 15 feet would be a real bitch squared for every additional 800 lbs.

You just hire a boom truck.

Also, mills break down into parts that can be liftedfairly easily. Lathes are even easier, for small ones.

but a boom truck will lift right up and send through. The door. Then a Johnson Bar Will position right where you want it. I only had to hire riggers once, and that was for my LeBlond Gap bed. That weighs a bit.

smaller machines are a piece of cake to move.

Sirhr