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Posted: 8/8/2018 12:11:57 PM EST
[#1]
Tormach
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Posted: 8/8/2018 12:16:03 PM EST
[#2]
I use one of these at work...For a table top it is not bad and allows for some mid sized projects if you go slow.
http://www.grizzly.com/products/Mill-Drill/G0758  Attached File |
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Posted: 8/8/2018 12:22:16 PM EST
[#3]
A little more than what you asked for
But I want one of these so I can knock 2 birds out with one stone https://smithy.com/Smithy-Lathe-Mill-Combo |
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Posted: 8/8/2018 12:23:43 PM EST
[#4]
Not budget, but I have the sherline mini mill. Love it.
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Posted: 8/8/2018 12:26:05 PM EST
[#5]
Jet has a pretty good mill drill. Not table top, runs about 5K
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Posted: 8/8/2018 12:50:35 PM EST
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Not budget, but I have the sherline mini mill. Love it. It's barely adequate for 80 percent lowers, sizewise. Doesn't use standard size T nuts so they're hard to find and expensive. a plus is that every model they've ever built takes the same parts. |
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Posted: 8/8/2018 12:53:52 PM EST
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
A little more than what you asked for But I want one of these so I can knock 2 birds out with one stone https://smithy.com/Smithy-Lathe-Mill-Combo The set up times are atrocious... But they will get the job done to the limit of the machine. |
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Posted: 8/8/2018 1:26:08 PM EST
[#8]
Precision Matthews PM25MV
It is all ready setup with a dual range serpentine belt drive so it is quiet and dependable without those "gear" issues. Superior quality to anything put out by Grizzly. (I'm a multi Grizzly owner) I also have an Industrial Hobbies "large ring" mill with DRO. |
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Posted: 8/8/2018 1:32:51 PM EST
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
A little more than what you asked for But I want one of these so I can knock 2 birds out with one stone https://smithy.com/Smithy-Lathe-Mill-Combo |
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Posted: 8/8/2018 1:54:03 PM EST
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
A little more than what you asked for But I want one of these so I can knock 2 birds out with one stone https://smithy.com/Smithy-Lathe-Mill-Combo usually because they are a shitty mill and a shitty lathe on one shitty package and the owner doesn't find that out until after they bought it. Go with the PM25 |
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Posted: 8/8/2018 1:56:53 PM EST
[#11]
I bought a LittleMachineShop.com 3990. It works pretty well for lowers and other such things.
https://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=3990&category=1387807683 |
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Posted: 8/8/2018 2:01:31 PM EST
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted: No you don't. They are crap. Get separate machines. Quote HistoryQuoted: No you don't. They are crap. Get separate machines. Quoted: you can often find a bunch of them on craigslist. usually because they are a shitty mill and a shitty lathe on one shitty package and the owner doesn't find that out until after they bought it. Go with the PM25 Those are even worse than a hammer with a screwdriver on the handle. Complete compromise for both of its intended uses. |
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Posted: 8/8/2018 3:55:57 PM EST
[#13]
Check Enco a Rong Fu is around 1200-1300.
They are not a Bridgeport but you can but a cheap dro and do 80% ers all day long. I did an 0% with mine. Never again 57 pages of instruction. |
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Posted: 8/8/2018 4:01:15 PM EST
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I bought a LittleMachineShop.com 3990. It works pretty well for lowers and other such things. https://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=3990&category=1387807683 That's the exact one I've been looking at for a while. Any downsides to it that you've found? I'm a complete newbie so I couldn't tell an awesome one from a shitty one just by the numbers/specs. |
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Posted: 8/8/2018 5:07:35 PM EST
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I have this also, and it's great, but... It's barely adequate for 80 percent lowers, sizewise. Doesn't use standard size T nuts so they're hard to find and expensive. a plus is that every model they've ever built takes the same parts. |
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Posted: 8/8/2018 5:15:30 PM EST
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted: @Vermilion That's the exact one I've been looking at for a while. Any downsides to it that you've found? I'm a complete newbie so I couldn't tell an awesome one from a shitty one just by the numbers/specs. |
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Posted: 8/8/2018 5:17:08 PM EST
[#17]
Slight hijack - I’m going to buy a mill soon, and want a lathe. My only use for the lathe will be making parts for fountain pens, most of which are plastic or hard rubber.
Is there a way to turn small parts like this on a traditional mill? I dont want a combo unit, but it seems to me like it should at least be possible to turn small parts out of soft materials by attaching a live center to the bed. ETA: I’ll get both in time, I’m just curious if I can get started on my pen making before I invest in a real lathe. |
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Posted: 8/8/2018 5:18:37 PM EST
[#18]
I bought the Harbor Freight one back when you could use the 25% off coupons on them. I managed to time it right to get free shipping too.
So far the only upgrade I've gotten for it is Little Machine Shop's belt drive kit. One of these days I'll get some DROs for it too. |
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Posted: 8/8/2018 5:24:48 PM EST
[#19]
Have an upgraded X2 that I’ve been pretty happy with.
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Posted: 8/8/2018 5:24:55 PM EST
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Correct! Correct again! Those are even worse than a hammer with a screwdriver on the handle. Complete compromise for both of its intended uses. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted: No you don't. They are crap. Get separate machines. Quoted: you can often find a bunch of them on craigslist. usually because they are a shitty mill and a shitty lathe on one shitty package and the owner doesn't find that out until after they bought it. Go with the PM25 Those are even worse than a hammer with a screwdriver on the handle. Complete compromise for both of its intended uses. 
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Posted: 8/8/2018 5:27:16 PM EST
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I use one of these at work...For a table top it is not bad and allows for some mid sized projects if you go slow. http://www.grizzly.com/products/Mill-Drill/G0758 https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/3064/grizzlysmallmill-634102.JPG |
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Posted: 8/8/2018 5:28:21 PM EST
[#22]
Just fyi, the Jet, Grizzly, and Harbor Freight ones are all the same models made by a Chinese company and branded with different tags and colors.
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Posted: 8/8/2018 5:43:10 PM EST
[#23]
I'm currently looking too.
The PM-932M milling machine is a nice mill too. There are several makers with similar machines, around the same price point. My lathe is rebuilt 1958 Logan 1920, I thought it was a great deal at $350.00 and needed some work, $1200.00 later, I am making chips. For another $400 I could of bought a new machine with the same or better capabilities. Used is nice but be prudent if that is a thought. |
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Posted: 8/9/2018 1:31:26 PM EST
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted: you can often find a bunch of them on craigslist. usually because they are a shitty mill and a shitty lathe on one shitty package and the owner doesn't find that out until after they bought it. Go with the PM25 For my uses and also the small garage space I have it seems like the right option Now obviously I know its not the best one out there. But it sure seems like it would get work done |
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Posted: 8/9/2018 1:45:42 PM EST
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I use one of these at work...For a table top it is not bad and allows for some mid sized projects if you go slow. http://www.grizzly.com/products/Mill-Drill/G0758 https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/3064/grizzlysmallmill-634102.JPG |
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Posted: 8/9/2018 1:51:52 PM EST
[#26]
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Posted: 8/9/2018 1:58:25 PM EST
[#27]
I have the Grizzly X2 model and it is fine a couple of small upgrades and it works fine for what I do, I added the drive pulley system and got rid of the plastic gears and I put DRO's on it, it works good for what it is, gun lowers and smaller parts for restoration for various things I play with like boats and cars. I also have the HF 7x12 Mini lathe that I have modified to be able to work on barrels so I can cut them down and re-profile them, it works great as well, I also use it for suppressor prototypes that I send to my partner in WA to but on the big machines.
Even with the smaller bench tops, figure you will spend double the money to get decent tooling for them, I was lucky and found mine in a package deal on Craigslist and it came with all of the tooling for the machines and I only paid about a Grand for the whole package. |
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Posted: 8/9/2018 2:00:58 PM EST
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I guess I just have a hard time wrapping my head around why they are always considered so bad For my uses and also the small garage space I have it seems like the right option Now obviously I know its not the best one out there. But it sure seems like it would get work done Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted: you can often find a bunch of them on craigslist. usually because they are a shitty mill and a shitty lathe on one shitty package and the owner doesn't find that out until after they bought it. Go with the PM25 For my uses and also the small garage space I have it seems like the right option Now obviously I know its not the best one out there. But it sure seems like it would get work done A wise dude learns from OTHER people's mistakes. There is an internet full of people telling you don't make this mistake. We aren't telling you this for our benefit. We're trying to help you not screw up. Kinda like when your buddy has his beer goggles on and you try to keep him from going home with the land whale. Don't go home with the land whale. 
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Posted: 8/9/2018 2:02:23 PM EST
[#29]
Tag. I'm looking at getting one and a lathe too.
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Posted: 8/9/2018 2:22:10 PM EST
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted: If you want to work on stuff baseball sized and smaller it might work. You can't get anything of any size in a multi purpose machine. You need to hold your work down, and vises take up space. Before you know it you can't fit anything in there. The chucks have super tiny thru holes. The mills have so little travel. A wise dude learns from OTHER people's mistakes. There is an internet full of people telling you don't make this mistake. We aren't telling you this for our benefit. We're trying to help you not screw up. Kinda like when your buddy has his beer goggles on and you try to keep him from going home with the land whale. Don't go home with the land whale. It's just kinda seeming like it's not going to work out. I cant have a lathe the size of a small car in my garage :(. Nor can I drop 10k getting 2 machines. The only thing I'd use them for is gunsmithing projects. Threading barrels. I need to make a repair section for that mp34 I have. |
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Posted: 8/9/2018 2:37:36 PM EST
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I bought the Harbor Freight one back when you could use the 25% off coupons on them. Probably the cheapest out there. |
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Posted: 8/9/2018 2:40:32 PM EST
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted: If you want to work on stuff baseball sized and smaller it might work. You can't get anything of any size in a multi purpose machine. You need to hold your work down, and vises take up space. Before you know it you can't fit anything in there. The chucks have super tiny thru holes. The mills have so little travel. A wise dude learns from OTHER people's mistakes. There is an internet full of people telling you don't make this mistake. We aren't telling you this for our benefit. We're trying to help you not screw up. Kinda like when your buddy has his beer goggles on and you try to keep him from going home with the land whale. Don't go home with the land whale. |
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Posted: 8/9/2018 3:55:54 PM EST
[#33]
its of no use if you don't have the space for them, but you can hunt for deals on full sized machines on craigslist, etc, and given the time you'll find em. I ended up getting a bridgeport and a LeBlonde for $3k total (separate deals) by hunting and bargaining.
Now the part no one tells you about, much like a camera were the body is the cheapest part of your setup, you will spend way more on tooling and parts then you did on the machines in the first place. Nothing wrong with it, but just know that's almost 100% likely to happen. Just like guns, I hope when I die my wife doesn't sell my machines for what I told her they cost. :) As for the smithy, as a real machinist friend told me (I'm jsut a hack trying to learn), rigidity is your friend, and those have very little of it. |
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Posted: 8/9/2018 4:02:17 PM EST
[#34]
If you have a makers space or tech shop kind of deal nearby I'd strongly recommend a membership there over buying your own equipment. You'll get access to more and better equipment than you can fit in your garage. And for just occasional use it's a better deal.
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Posted: 8/9/2018 4:48:18 PM EST
[#35]
I'm space constrained so I have a Grizzly G8689 (their version of the Sieg X2). If you're going for one in this size class, get the one from Little Machine Shop without the tilting column. The tilting feature really isn't useful and makes the machine less rigid. That said, I've found mine very useful working with aluminum, plastics, wood, and even steel. You just need to keep the limitations of the machine in mind vis-a-vis the material you're working on. I did a couple of 80% lowers on mine after adding the belt drive and DROs.
 Attached FileI highly recommend a belt drive. It makes the machine much quieter and vibrates a lot less than the gear drive. DROs also make it a lot more useful. Don't forget to budget for tooling. |
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Posted: 8/9/2018 4:59:18 PM EST
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I'm space constrained so I have a Grizzly G8689 (their version of the Sieg X2). |
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Posted: 8/9/2018 6:04:42 PM EST
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Check Enco a Rong Fu is around 1200-1300. They are not a Bridgeport but you can but a cheap dro and do 80% ers all day long. I did an 0% with mine. Never again 57 pages of instruction. |
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Posted: 8/9/2018 6:15:46 PM EST
[#38]
MSC still sells a few of the Enco branded imports in its Big Book.
I think closing Enco was a big mistake, they should have kept it open as the MSC outlet store. 
I used to buy all my Mobile Oil machine tool products via Enco, also machine coolants. Get that free shipping on orders over $99 plus the 25% off coupon and buy to 5 gal buckets per order. Yes, I really miss Enco. 
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Posted: 8/9/2018 6:20:48 PM EST
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted: you have a milling machine. make the t-nuts
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Posted: 8/9/2018 6:23:56 PM EST
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Slight hijack - I'm going to buy a mill soon, and want a lathe. My only use for the lathe will be making parts for fountain pens, most of which are plastic or hard rubber. Is there a way to turn small parts like this on a traditional mill? I dont want a combo unit, but it seems to me like it should at least be possible to turn small parts out of soft materials by attaching a live center to the bed. ETA: I'll get both in time, I'm just curious if I can get started on my pen making before I invest in a real lathe. |
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Posted: 8/9/2018 7:31:36 PM EST
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I'm space constrained so I have a Grizzly G8689 (their version of the Sieg X2). Don't forget to budget for tooling. |
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Posted: 8/9/2018 7:50:50 PM EST
[#42]
So if a guy with little more experience than milling out a couple 80 percent lowers wanted to buy a new or used mill between $1,000-$4,000 but couldn't justify the cost for milling just a few more lowers needed a couple small projects to help offset the initial cost, what would he be able to do?
Asking for a friend of a friend. Turns out that friend has a small mill but would like to buy a bigger mill and would like it to be more productive than some occasional aluminum lowers. |
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Posted: 8/9/2018 9:32:09 PM EST
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
If you want to work on stuff baseball sized and smaller it might work. You can't get anything of any size in a multi purpose machine. You need to hold your work down, and vises take up space. Before you know it you can't fit anything in there. The chucks have super tiny thru holes. The mills have so little travel. A wise dude learns from OTHER people's mistakes. There is an internet full of people telling you don't make this mistake. We aren't telling you this for our benefit. We're trying to help you not screw up. Kinda like when your buddy has his beer goggles on and you try to keep him from going home with the land whale. Don't go home with the land whale. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted: you can often find a bunch of them on craigslist. usually because they are a shitty mill and a shitty lathe on one shitty package and the owner doesn't find that out until after they bought it. Go with the PM25 For my uses and also the small garage space I have it seems like the right option Now obviously I know its not the best one out there. But it sure seems like it would get work done A wise dude learns from OTHER people's mistakes. There is an internet full of people telling you don't make this mistake. We aren't telling you this for our benefit. We're trying to help you not screw up. Kinda like when your buddy has his beer goggles on and you try to keep him from going home with the land whale. Don't go home with the land whale.
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Posted: 8/9/2018 9:33:07 PM EST
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
So if a guy with little more experience than milling out a couple 80 percent lowers wanted to buy a new or used mill between $1,000-$4,000 but couldn't justify the cost for milling just a few more lowers needed a couple small projects to help offset the initial cost, what would he be able to do? Asking for a friend of a friend. Turns out that friend has a small mill but would like to buy a bigger mill and would like it to be more productive than some occasional aluminum lowers. |
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Posted: 8/9/2018 9:37:13 PM EST
[#45]
Quote History |
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Posted: 8/9/2018 9:52:54 PM EST
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted: you have a milling machine. make the t-nuts |
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Posted: 8/10/2018 8:32:17 AM EST
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted: nice thing there is that there are several CNC conversions available for that model, so down the road you have that option. Even with a manual there are times I wish I had a CNC. :)  G0704 CNC 125ipm |
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Posted: 8/11/2018 3:15:06 AM EST
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
you have a milling machine. make the t-nuts Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I have this also, and it's great, but... It's barely adequate for 80 percent lowers, sizewise. Doesn't use standard size T nuts so they're hard to find and expensive. a plus is that every model they've ever built takes the same parts. Benefit of the Sherlines is that you don't have Chinese quality control. They're aimed at smaller work than a lot of the imported machines, though. |
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Posted: 8/11/2018 3:46:13 AM EST
[#49]
This shit is all Greek to me. Where can I learn the basics of milling and machine work?
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Posted: 8/11/2018 5:32:05 AM EST
[#50]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
This shit is all Greek to me. Where can I learn the basics of milling and machine work? |
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