Looking At A Bigger Mill

[EdK]

The Precision Matthews is considered a 2/3 sized Bridgeport. I really don't need or want a full sized mill. It would be almost impossible to get it down the basement. Even though the Grizzly is a full sized mill, it peaked my interest because of the sale price. I've never run into an X travel problem with my Enco mill, which has an X travel of about 22". I have quite often run into a Y travel problem though. So more Y travel, the versatility of a knee mill, a more rigid machine and power spindle feed are the main factors for wanting to upgrade to a larger mill.

Thanks for all of the comments. I'll consider them all.

Ed

[EdK]

(05-01-2015, 06:49 AM)stevec Wrote: Ed, if 935 means 9" x 35" the PM mill has 14" less travel than the Griz.
Might be a deal breaker for me.

Steve

I'm not sure where you got your information from Steve but the Grizzly has an X travel of 29" and the PM has an X travel of 24". That doesn't add up to a 14" travel difference.  

I'm guessing you assumed the table sizes correlated to X travel distances (49 - 35 = 14). It's certainly a logical conclusion though.
The Y travel is the same on both at 12".

Ed

[Mayhem]

Ed - my Kondia is bigger than a Bridgeport and I can guarantee you that a full size knee mill will break down into many, many small parts, most of which you could carry into your basement with little effort

[EdK]

(05-01-2015, 11:05 AM)Mayhem Wrote: Ed - my Kondia is bigger than a Bridgeport and I can guarantee you that a full size knee mill will break down into many, many small parts, most of which you could carry into your basement with little effort

 You certainly speak from experience Darren.

Ed

[Highpower]

(05-01-2015, 11:05 AM)Mayhem Wrote: Ed - my Kondia is bigger than a Bridgeport and I can guarantee you that a full size knee mill will break down into many, many small parts, most of which you could carry into your basement with little effort

Note the key word above. 

Do you have a walk-out basement Ed? Nothing is impossible, but..... the only way for me to get the column of my little 8x36 into my basement involved hiring a back hoe operator. 

[EdK]

(05-01-2015, 11:54 AM)Highpower Wrote:

(05-01-2015, 11:05 AM)Mayhem Wrote: Ed - my Kondia is bigger than a Bridgeport and I can guarantee you that a full size knee mill will break down into many, many small parts, most of which you could carry into your basement with little effort

Note the key word above. 

Do you have a walk-out basement Ed? Nothing is impossible, but..... the only way for me to get the column of my little 8x36 into my basement involved hiring a back hoe operator. 

Willie,

Yes I do but getting to it requires navigating down-sloping terrain. Not ideal for moving top heavy machinery, or any machinery for that matter.

Ed

[EdK]

This one looks interesting.  

Eisen S2M Mill
   

•    9" x 42" table
  
•    R8 spindle taper
  
•    3 HP motor, 220V, SINGLE-PHASE
  
•    High precision angular contact bearings in spindle designed for both high precision and the ability to take thrust loads
  
•    "Turcite-B" bearing material on way surfaces
  
•    MEEHANITE casting: Fine grain, high density cast iron with the Meehanite process provides superior vibration dampening.
  
•    Hardened & ground table
  
•    Hardened & ground ways
  
•    Hardened & ground quill is chromed for long service life
  
•    Power quill feed with 3 feed rates and adjustable feed stop & automatic feed trip release
  
•    Adjustable backlash
  
•    Rugged heavy-duty construction
  
•    Dovetail slide ways
  
•    One-shot lubrication system for slideways and leadscrews
  
•    Made in Taiwan
  
•   Warranty:  One year mechanical parts and 90 days electrical components.
  

Ed

EDIT: $5000 plus $1000 shipping and must have a fork lift for unloading. Not going to happen.

[f350ca]

Variable speed is nice if you can swing it Ed.

[Vinny]

You don't have a forklift Ed? huh.. I thought everyone did.

[Highpower]

(05-01-2015, 04:41 PM)Vinny Wrote: You don't have a forklift Ed?  huh..  I thought everyone did.