I want a knee mill but

As far as Craigslist, there's nothing in my area. I'm not willing to buy used sight unseen and have it shipped. Money is not a concern on this purchase so I'd rather buy new.
 
Have you tried varying your keywords on craigslist?

Search "all for sale" using words like "milling maching", "mill", "machine shop", "bridgeport", "vertical mill" etc.... and you'll likely get at least a couple of results.

Aside from that, I imagine there must be a used machinery dealer within a couple hundred miles of you. Check eBay as well. Often times, machine shops and equipment dealers will post their inventory on eBay, in addition to any website they may already have. This rarely precludes being able to come see the machine in person, or even to give them a cash offer below what the auction price might be.

I found my mill on eBay. Happened to be through a machinery dealer a couple of hours northeast of me. I called the dealer up, and we were able to work out a cash deal, which ultimately included him meeting me half way on shipping costs using a freight service. One lift gate and a pallet jack later, I had a 2000lb knee mill sitting in my garage.
 
This was a comment on my Facebook post about the Grizzly 0731...

Neil Blackwood
That is the next best thing to a Bridgeport. I've worked at several shops over the years that have had them. They have been made by a number of companies over the years. They work just like a BPT with the knee crank. The mills like the Rong Fu's where the head moves up and down.........IMHO, SUCK. These little mills will do almost anything a full size BPT will do and are very rigid. With having more space at my new shop, I have an eye out for a used BPT but I would take one of these as well if I found a good deal on one. Even new, they are priced at a "Good deal" Buy it and have no regrets.
 
Maybe it will do all you need, but only you will know, and only after you have it.

Maybe this slightly larger size is OK compared to the 6x26, maybe not.


Have a look at the yahoo group for the smaller size 6x26 mill
There are many modifications done to that one to overcome it's small size.


especially the Y travel is small


It's not exactly like a BP, Not all the head movements are there.
The head will not come out on a ram, so spindle to column space is limited, maybe not a problem, maybe is.

The head does not nod, no adjustment there.
The head is on the column with 3 screws not 4, how do you shim or tram that?
You can't isolate one direction at a time.


Maybe Grizzly is better than the others out there, maybe not
There are many things you have to finish out yourself - mostly because the castings are left large and not machined down

Or they changed things (for the cheaper) without considering what the outcome is.
The leadscrew pitches don't match the dials for instance, you need a DRO to use it.

Join the Yahoo group for the 6x26 and read all the mods.

See this video, good summary of the info

"Would you buy another one?
It would have to be cheap, not new they are a lot of money for what they are."


I just saw a Nice used Bridgeport in my area $2,100
I'd look for that kind of deal.

A mill can make stuff, Rolex? Car? they can't make stuff, they can't make money

[video=youtube;awTrbfBPN04]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awTrbfBPN04[/video]
 
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A DRO will be a must have regardless, 3 axis.
 
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