Newbie, needs your thoughts on a mill

[RossW]

I am going to purchase a mill. I am looking at the Grizzly G4048 or a friend has an older Millrite sitting in his shop that he will sell me for $750. The Millrite seems to be in good condition. The spindle bearing are a little loose, but smooth. The backlash is minimal, but I have not measured it. The Millrite has a 1 hp. 3ph motor so I will needed a phase converter or find a way to change the motor to a single phase.

I mostly do small jobs and some gunsmithing. I know that I will have to wait for the Grizzly, but it is new and the Millrite is fairly old and I am sure it will need some work.

[Waterlogged]

Millrite! Millrite! Millrite!

[PackardV8]

As a gunsmith, you'd know how to respond if someone told you he didn't want a pre-'64 Winchester Model 70 because it was old and he could by a new Chinese copy for a lot more money, but it would be new.

thnx, jack vines

[torker]

You don't need a phase converter...a low cost VFD will run that mill and up the bells and whistles at the same time.
For that kind of money...I'd be having that Millrite in my shop yesterday.

[Doc Nickel]

Even though I have a Grizzly (full-size Bridgeport clone) and I'm very happy with it, given your two choices, I'd go with the Millrite in a heartbeat.

One, it's local. You can go see it before buying, check for problems. And two, it's cheaper- better bang for the buck. Even if it needs some repairs, you can put several hundred bucks into it and still have less invested than in a new import.

Like Torker said, spring for a $150 VFD, and not only can you run the 3ph as-is, but you'll get near-infinite speed control as well.

Doc.

[RossW]

OK, I think you have convinced me to go with the Millrite. I posted some pic's . Anyone know were I can find parts if I need them or books?

Thanks

[38_Cal]

For the price difference, you can get that Millrite pretty well tooled up, too!

David
Montezuma, IA

[wierdscience]

The answer is obvious,get both!

[BillH]

The magic 8 ball says that you should buy the Millrite.

[A.K. Boomer]

Yup - millrite