Grizzly G0704 Mill Package and general milling machine questions.

David Schott

David Schott

Joined
Sep 27, 2004
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Anyone have any experience with this new Grizzly Mill package? http://www.grizzly.com/products/Drill-Mill-with-Stand/G0704
It is about $1K but comes with its own stand, R8 Spindle and DRO already included. I am getting more heavily into folding knives and want to finally bite the bullet on a milling machine. I will be using it for:
• Milling recessed liners
• Milling integral liners/dovetailing bolsters
• Cutting slots in guards
• Cutting nail nicks
• Anything else I can come up with including fabricating jigs/small tooling around the shop
I have seen the various mini mills out there and in many posts, folks say they do a fine job but I have also seen a number of people communicate that they wish they had something with more mass. This new package weighs in at 290 pounds with the stand.
What I am trying to determine is the pros/cons of this unit. I also know I will need quite a bit of tooling which can be very expensive. For that reason the mini mill is more appealing because I could get all my startup tooling plus the mini mill for around the price of this larger mill.
If you guys who are making folders were in my place, would you go with the larger more sturdy machine or would you instead get the smaller machine and tooling? I think my budget is going to 100% max out around $1500 on this purchase including all my startup tooling/vice etc.
 
It is pretty small


According to the link you posted:

The DRO is only on the spindle up down, not on the head up down
not on the the left-right, or the in-out (x,y)

the 3 amp motor means to me that it is really a 1/4 HP motor, not 1hp

I would consider going bigger, and look for power feed included
You get much smoother finishes on power feed than cranking by hand.
 
I did quite a bit of research on milling of liners, there is alot of advice that a small mill like this can be used to mill SS liners, that is correct, but you will only cut 0.005 at a time. This can take quite a while. My mill is heavies and 1 hp and it is still a chore to mill liners by hand. I wish I had a power feed and will probably add next year.

This will work and many make it work, but bigger is better. Keep an eye on craigslist , for $1000 there are mid level size mills all the time and many include $500+ of tooling.
 
i would look at the x3 mill. that one is a little to small (imo). the x3 seems to be about the right size for what your after.
 
balibalistic said:
i would look at the x3 mill. that one is a little to small (imo). the x3 seems to be about the right size for what your after.
Click to expand...

I agree with balibalistic. I have been very happy with my X3 as purchased from Grizzly (G0463). The base unit, with vise and basic tooling should be within your budget. I added 3-axis DROs to mine which added about another $600... but in my opinion was WELL worth it. Many of my recent projects would have been near-impossible without it.

You can find more info on my X3 HERE.

You can see my most recent milling project HERE. It would have been very difficult without the DROs.

Erin
 
Thanks everyone I appreciate it! I had not noticed the spindle only DRO but knew it was too good to be true. I'll start saving my pennies and searching craigslist as well...I'm sure there are deals to be found if I can educate myself a bit on what to look for.
 
I contacted grizzly about this mill as well the tech stated that it had plastic gears!! that was a huge deal breaker for me
 
I know it isn't what you want to hear, but I would pass on this one. Wish you lived closer. I have a 700 lb mill drill I am selling for 500.00 US.

Mike
Maker
The Loveless Connection Knives
 
I am going to tell you the same thing I tell everyone that is looking into getting a mill. Buy the largest/heaviest most RIGID mill you can afford and fit into your shop. Rigidity is one of the most important factors is buying a mill. If you look on craigslist and ebay you should be able to find one for 1500-2000 and it will be much more useful than a table top unit. A bridgeport style knee mill is what I would recommend. I know there are many who use the smaller units and it works for them, I have used them and have used the full size mills. I find using the smaller ones frustrating and it takes more time to set up and keep dialed in. Just my .02
 
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