Gunsmithing Grizzly Mill/Drill

[WCW308]

Anyone have any experience with one of their mills? I am considering a mill/drill
say, GO619. Many to choose from, any suggestions from users...what is good for an amateur gun-machinist...

 

[GasLight]

Re: Grizzly Mill/Drill

everything I have heard and read has lead me to steer clear of combo machines. I have not tried one, but sounds like they are marginally good at both tasks, but not great at either.

 

[Ratbert]

Re: Grizzly Mill/Drill

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GasLight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">everything I have heard and read has lead me to steer clear of combo machines. I have not tried one, but sounds like they are marginally good at both tasks, but not great at either.</div></div>

Exactly. If you want to machine guns the 4003G is the sweet spot for "entry level" and "not throwing my money away."

 

[hero's machine]

Re: Grizzly Mill/Drill

Umm, I read it as he is looking for input on a round column mill.....mill/drill.

 

[northern50]

Re: Grizzly Mill/Drill

Nothing wrong with a round column mill, lots of good parts have been turned out on them. Only bitch about a round column mill is if you change your Z height via the column your table is no longer square to the spindle. How often do you plan on moving the Z more than the quill feed has to offer, this is what you need to think about before you spend that hard earned cash.

 

[WCW308]

Re: Grizzly Mill/Drill

So, dovetail column, grizzly quality is good for the $.
Expect I could buy a bigger older better used mill , but
I have wood floors, and a hike to get to my shop.
Thanx for info, other brands to consider ?
I am looking for a mill 1st, lathe to come later....

 

[GasLight]

Re: Grizzly Mill/Drill

my bad, I see the mill/drill now, and not a mill/lathe combo. Sorry that was the first thing that popped into my head.

At any rate, I think a mill/drill can work well if you are only going to use it for small projects. I pondered this topic over and over myself, trying to find a somewhat affordable way to get into a milling machine. I scoured craigslist locally, hoping for a deal on a Bridgeport or equivalent used machine, and after growing tired of looking without a mill, I ended up picking up a small clausing 8520. I really like the mill, but it is small and limited. If you don't plan on doing any larger work, a mill/drill might fit your needs nicely, I have a buddy who does a fair amount of work on one, and seems to like it pretty well.

 

[funk]

Re: Grizzly Mill/Drill

http://www.machinetoolonline.com/PM-MV-BenchMills.html These have some nice features.

 

[monteboy84]

Re: Grizzly Mill/Drill

I have a JET mill/drill for simple tasks. It's great as a high-precision drill-press, handy for milling soft materials like fiberglass stocks (great for cleaning up after bedding), but not work much of a damn for anything harder than brass. Aluminum is okay, but that's borderline, there's too much flex in it for anything more than that.

-matt

 

[Ratbert]

Re: Grizzly Mill/Drill

Oops, I read that as Mill/Lathe too.

I CNC converted a G0619 (mostly because I found a good deal on a used one) and I'm happy with it but already I wish I'd gone with one of the RF-45 sized mills. The small area of travel is a bit limiting if you start thinking about mounting a 6" rotary on there or anything like that. The G720R really looks like the ticket but the price is also significantly more, if you're not planning on CNC converting it a small knee like the G728 or G3102 would be where I'd probably spend my money.

 

[WCW308]

Re: Grizzly Mill/Drill

thanks all, for the info. G728 looks good. I am going to PA to check them out
next week.
Ratbert, thought you were a glass something or other. What happened...?

 

[WCW308]

Re: Grizzly Mill/Drill

this looks sturdy. http://www.actionmachinery.com/writeups/16503.htm

 

[K_Labs]

Re: Grizzly Mill/Drill

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WCW308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">this looks sturdy. http://www.actionmachinery.com/writeups/16503.htm </div></div>

That looks exactly like mine!

 

[timbertoes]

Re: Grizzly Mill/Drill

I have the PM45 from Pennsalvanyia.

I am not a machinist, but I feel it is a good machine, good value. made a few things, inletted a stock.

Also got the 1127LB Lathe. I will NOT reccomend it..would sell mine anytime to get a grizzly or old american iron!

you WILL SPEND A FORTUNE IN TOOLING. Dont think you won't...

Metal is Expensive as all get out too. You might get lucky and find a re-cycling/scrap yard that will sell you some good, known material.

 

[mattlewis]

Re: Grizzly Mill/Drill

i have ZERO experience with any kind of metal shop equipment, but i can add that Grizzly is a fantastic company. their woodworking equipment may not be the absolute best money can buy, but it's damn good, and they are a damn good company to deal with.

 

[WCW308]

Re: Grizzly Mill/Drill

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: K_Labs</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WCW308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">this looks sturdy. http://www.actionmachinery.com/writeups/16503.htm </div></div>

That looks exactly like mine! </div></div>

So, how do you like it? What else would you recommend, are you are prof. machinist, gunsmith? thanks for any info.

 

[Ratbert]

Re: Grizzly Mill/Drill

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WCW308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Ratbert, thought you were a glass something or other. What happened...?
</div></div>

Joined a cult.

 

[geraldsd]

Re: Grizzly Mill/Drill

I have been looking at these, in particular the 1007G.

 

[WCW308]

Re: Grizzly Mill/Drill

thanks all for the info. seems like a small knee mill makes sense.