Hello everyone.
I am hoping to be in a position to obtain a vertical milling machine in 2013 - sometime in the first quarter with a bit of luck. Since I am planning on the acquisition, I am naturally all excited and starting to look at possibilities.
I have been doing a bit of research, and I am starting to get a feel for what might be a very good machine.
So take a look at this:
It is a Grizzly G0720R
http://www.grizzly.com/products/Heavy-Duty-Bench-Top-Milling-Machine/G0720R
Obvious point to consider - what am I going to use it for? Well - model engineering. Think smaller scale engines typically, with a long term dream of building a scale model steam tractor. I will also use it for general purpose work on whatever putzy projects I have. Therefore a lot of milling of aluminum, and some steel.
This tool has a lot of features. I particularly like the following:
Dovetail vertical slideways
Apparently large and sturdy table (9-7/16" x 32-1/4")
Hefty spindle motor (220V 2HP).
Variable speed (100 to 1600 rpm).
It has a hefty price tag - once base and a longitudinal power feed are added it is edging close to $4000 - but I think later in the the first quarter of 2013 I can stretch to that, and I don't mind doing so if it can be the only mill I need to buy.
So - a few questions
1. Looking at the overall design - do you think this is a sturdy enough mill to machine steel components. I don't need to take huge roughing cuts, I am a hobbyist not a machine shop, so time is not such a factor.
2. The 220V motor is driven by a control circuit board with a power inverter. Does that sound reasonable? I would rather the whole system was just wired for 220V, but this is the system as designed - it is made for 110V mains.
3. What about the spindle speed range. Does it go high enough?
4. Size - is it too big to handle smaller parts? My general feel is that to a point, bigger is more robust - therefore better.
5. Would I be better off buying essentially a more straightforward belt drive knee type mill, which can still have powered longitudinal feeds, and fixed speed ranges from about 250rpm up to 2500 rpm or so (dependent on the specific mill). Such a mill can be had from grizzly for similar (or less) price.
Any opinions at all would be very welcome. I was tempted by a mill drill, as they are somewhat inexpensive by comparison, but I am put off by the round column. I would like something more sturdy.
I am hoping to be in a position to obtain a vertical milling machine in 2013 - sometime in the first quarter with a bit of luck. Since I am planning on the acquisition, I am naturally all excited and starting to look at possibilities.
I have been doing a bit of research, and I am starting to get a feel for what might be a very good machine.
So take a look at this:
It is a Grizzly G0720R
http://www.grizzly.com/products/Heavy-Duty-Bench-Top-Milling-Machine/G0720R
Obvious point to consider - what am I going to use it for? Well - model engineering. Think smaller scale engines typically, with a long term dream of building a scale model steam tractor. I will also use it for general purpose work on whatever putzy projects I have. Therefore a lot of milling of aluminum, and some steel.
This tool has a lot of features. I particularly like the following:
Dovetail vertical slideways
Apparently large and sturdy table (9-7/16" x 32-1/4")
Hefty spindle motor (220V 2HP).
Variable speed (100 to 1600 rpm).
It has a hefty price tag - once base and a longitudinal power feed are added it is edging close to $4000 - but I think later in the the first quarter of 2013 I can stretch to that, and I don't mind doing so if it can be the only mill I need to buy.
So - a few questions
1. Looking at the overall design - do you think this is a sturdy enough mill to machine steel components. I don't need to take huge roughing cuts, I am a hobbyist not a machine shop, so time is not such a factor.
2. The 220V motor is driven by a control circuit board with a power inverter. Does that sound reasonable? I would rather the whole system was just wired for 220V, but this is the system as designed - it is made for 110V mains.
3. What about the spindle speed range. Does it go high enough?
4. Size - is it too big to handle smaller parts? My general feel is that to a point, bigger is more robust - therefore better.
5. Would I be better off buying essentially a more straightforward belt drive knee type mill, which can still have powered longitudinal feeds, and fixed speed ranges from about 250rpm up to 2500 rpm or so (dependent on the specific mill). Such a mill can be had from grizzly for similar (or less) price.
Any opinions at all would be very welcome. I was tempted by a mill drill, as they are somewhat inexpensive by comparison, but I am put off by the round column. I would like something more sturdy.
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