Gunsmithing Re-Visit Milling Machines

[cwood3]

I know, I know...............yes, I have read a boat load of posts on this. Guys, bear with me on this as more than myself may stand to benefit from this post about gunsmithing mills. My situation is this:

I am not going to be working with large parts.
I am not going to be hogging a lot of metal in 1 pass.
I will be machining all kinds of metals.
I do require as precise work as is reasonable.
I do not have a lot of space (1/2 of 2 car garage).
I can support 220V/3-Ph power.
I don't want to spend a year reworking an old machine.
I would like to add 3-axis DRO at some point.
I am always interested CNC conversion capability.
I am talking mainly, R700 extractors, recoil lugs, and parts of that size range.

So I have to be realistic, YES, I'd love a Bridgeport, but NO, it ain't gonna happen until I retire in 15 years. I still need to gain experience and be able to turn out some parts (hobby only).

So I am going to compile an Excel Spreadsheet with various models including, Grizzly and Precision Mathews....and compare the important parameters, and then price. My spread will include:

Table Size
Load Capacity
Table X-Axis Travel
Cross Y-Axis Travel
Vertical Head Travel
Quill Travel
Quill Diameter
Spindle Speeds
Power/Phase
Motor HP
Weight
Head Tilt (Y/N)
Head Swivel (Y/N)

Suggest machines to be listed and other features I missed. I will search pricing/availability and post the results in Excel and .pdf

Thanks in advance.

 

[operator1]

Re: Re-Visit Milling Machines

For doing small tasks like you mentioned you could probably get away with a small Rockwell vertical mill, if you can find one. Or a step up in size, look for a Burke/Powermatic Millrite. They are very capable machines and have a smaller footprint than a Bridgeport. Good Luck

http://www.lathes.co.uk/millrite/
http://www.lathes.co.uk/rockwellmillers/

 

[Tactical Support]

Re: Re-Visit Milling Machines

Look at Birmingham Mills also best prices are found @ Bucks Precision tools .

 

[kytrapper]

Re: Re-Visit Milling Machines

tag...similar interest...... would like to see the final comparison

 

[cwood3]

Re: Re-Visit Milling Machines

As long as I get some good input, I'll do the leg work to get something meaningful posted.

I will need good input on what HP requirements to do the type machining addressed here and other related factors so as to keep things in scope.

thanks

 

[sixtwoeightyfour]

Re: Re-Visit Milling Machines

Variable speed or Belt change.

Are you looking at the bench type mills? or regular Knee mills?

 

[hero's machine]

Re: Re-Visit Milling Machines

I think you get the same exact machine with different trim colors between pm and grizzly.

I added a uniq 3 axis dro to my mill for about $550 and it works great and there was plenty to work with for brackets....I can dig up the contact info if you don't have one picked out yet.

 

[Kebo57]

Re: Re-Visit Milling Machines

I run a Birmingham clone of the Bridgeport at work and liked it enough to buy same for my home shop....Model BPS3949C. Birmingham also makes a lathe with the same basic specs as the 5000 series Griz with one difference....they have them ready to ship. www.americanmachinetools.com

 

[Rprecision]

Re: Re-Visit Milling Machines

I have this

http://kbctoolsandmachinery.com/product/show/6-380-002

Nope its not a bridgeport, but for my needs it's %95 of one in a small footprint.

Bigger then a grizz from spindle to table (important)

If I had the room I would have bought full size....but thats life

 

[Dennis_in_VA]

Re: Re-Visit Milling Machines

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hero's machine</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think you get the same exact machine with different trim colors between pm and grizzly.

I added a uniq 3 axis dro to my mill for about $550 and it works great and there was plenty to work with for brackets....I can dig up the contact info if you don't have one picked out yet. </div></div>

I could use that info on the DRO you put on your mill. I just got a Bridgeport for my shop and it's naked without the DRO.

 

[hero's machine]

Re: Re-Visit Milling Machines

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dennis_in_VA</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hero's machine</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think you get the same exact machine with different trim colors between pm and grizzly.

I added a uniq 3 axis dro to my mill for about $550 and it works great and there was plenty to work with for brackets....I can dig up the contact info if you don't have one picked out yet. </div></div>

I could use that info on the DRO you put on your mill. I just got a Bridgeport for my shop and it's naked without the DRO. </div></div>

This is one like mine.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150796996791

The seller is dro_guy his name is Tim and he speaks perfect English, shipped the same day and was there when I had a setup question.

 

[Marksman]

Re: Re-Visit Milling Machines

Tag as well. I'm curious if you assume that all old mills would need to be re-conditioned? I've always wanted to pick up an old Bridgeport, but if it'll need a lot of work to get up and running then it's not worth the trouble.

 

[hero's machine]

Re: Re-Visit Milling Machines

Take a couple indicators with you and check the machine out. Run it through its paces and don't pay a premium price unless its a premium machine. You could find a 50 year old machine that is tight or you might find a 5 year old one that ran one operation its whole life.

Tables will bow, but for gun work, a few thou of bow will never show up.