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Larger Mill

January 1, 2012
3:29 PM

kennycrawford

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October 16, 2011

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Hi,

I am in the market for a new, larger mill. I have been "in the shop" now since February 2011 as a new hobby machinists learning what I can. My primary machine is a Grizzly G9729 Combo unit (that has been recently discontinued). As a lathe I believe this to be a very capable machine, but the milling aspect of it has its shortcomings. The table to spindle height is not adjustable beyond what travel you have in the quill. The vise is usable but center drills won't quite meet the top of the vise. Finally the Morse Taper number 3 seems to be not the hot ticket for mill tooling. As stated I have found that as a lathe it can do everything I have been able to ask of it.

My only use for these machines is as a hobbyist. I want to make a Stirling engine or two and possibly dabble in steam engines at some point. Though learning the basics is what I am doing now. The "shop" is wind down time for me after work and I enjoy building things. Mini tools are a bit small for my interests ( I do own Taig equipment) but I like the "biggest you can afford and house" rule.

So I am searching for a new mill. I have been very, very pleased with Grizzly as a company. I will admit that the purchase of the Combo machine may not have been the best buying decision I have made, so much more research is going to go into the purchase of a mill. The models I have been looking at have all been from Grizzly, though I understand that many other companies sell same/similar machines. The models in my budget/size range are as follows G1005, G1006, and G1007. The tricky part for me is this. The following machines fall into the same budget and size range G0704, G0705 and G0619. Not having any experience with any of these types of mills I was hoping someone would chime in and give me some pointers as to narrow my search a little. If not that than maybe someone can guide me to a resource that would assist me in making the best choice.

Thank you,

Kenny

January 1, 2012
9:29 PM

sammy

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January 13, 2011

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Kenny, I too have the G9729 and agree with your assessment wholly although on the mill aspect you are very kind. Wink I hope to get a different mill also and look forward to the responses to your post.

Sammy

January 5, 2012
11:26 AM

origin7511

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July 6, 2010

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Wherever possible I would take the box column over the round column. Rounds tend to come with more mass and HP but changes from short to long tools are a pain that means your going to have to re-reference the spindle to the edges again. Tramming is trickier on them but obviously can be done. The 0619 is a big machine but it has all the same niggles that all the other X3 type machines do. Head-nod when it raises and lowers and some others. The G0704 is the new hotness and I think a REALLY nice machine but it's got the smallest motor of the bunch. It's not a fantastically difficult thing to fit a bigger motor in the 1HP range though. It will take some really aggressive cuts and the more solid box column seems to work well for it.

I have a clone of the 0704 and have been using it manually for 6 months and then as a CNC conversion for about 1 year now. I can't think of much that I have wanted to do in a hobby setting, that it won't get done. I have even done some work for others now too. I don't think in general the X3 machines are able to take the same cuts without issues. The 0704 is a really nice bench-top mill in my opinion.

January 5, 2012
12:07 PM

ironring1

Vancouver, BC

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July 23, 2010

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I'll throw my support behind the G0704. I have one and I really like it. The table is huge for a mill that size, and I can carry all of the pieces of the mill on my own (an important requirement for me). I have not had a problem with the motor being too small for anything that I have done. The included stand, although not designed for someone who is 6'1" tall, is a real bonus, I think. I was just down in Bellingham a couple of weeks ago and was looking at it and some of the other small mills, and I am still happy with my choice.

January 5, 2012
1:45 PM

Seabee

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October 29, 2011

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I own an Optimum BF20L which is the mill that the 0704 and some others is based on. It has an extnded table and 850Watt brushless DC motor. The fit and finish is very good with ground and scroped ways etc.

Cheers,

Cole

January 9, 2012
4:56 PM

kennycrawford

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Forum Posts: 23

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October 16, 2011

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Thanks to all. I believe I have narrowed my search down. I really wanted to stay with Grizzly as a company due to their excellent customer service. However, a site called machinetoolonline lists a PM 30LV with a 33 inch table for 1895.00 and ships free. I found it chasing around links from a G0704/BF 20 website. I am hoping it to be a slightly larger version of the G0704 BF20 that everybody seems to love so dearly. Before I give them my credit card number I thought I would post this just in case I am overlooking something.

Thank you,

Kenny

January 11, 2012
3:28 PM

origin7511

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July 6, 2010

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They have had serious quality issues recently. Several folks have gotten machines that did not appear to be the same as what was ordered and several came with significant rust. The owner did pipe-in to the conversation to say the rust somehow slipped past but I'd say beware. They are often difficult to reach at times too. I bought from them on my PM25-MV but I'd hesitate to recommend them.

I think Lathemaster sells one too.

January 12, 2012
6:00 AM

Hobby-Machinist

Queens, NY

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April 19, 2011

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Someone I know bought one of the "new" Southbend milling machines and was very satisfied with it.

I have also heard some good things about the Rong Fu line.

Other than that, there are vintage manual mills you can buy on Craig's List, etc that might fit your bill, such as a good used Millrite, which is 3/4 Bridgeport size.

Good luck in your search.

Nelson

A member of the team at: http://www.Hobby-Machinist.com

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