Jet JMD-18PFN Mill/Drill Overview & Review

[BladesIIB]

I had a request to do a full review and overview of my Jet Mill Drill. Figured many on this forum may like it as well. I check the tram on the head, tram a vise and I also cover some basic milling operations during the review. Discuss round column vs. Square column. My issue with the feed levers disengaging and my hack to fix it. I also demo how to program and drill a bolt circle with the Newall DP700 DRO. Overall this has been a good machine for me. If I had it to do over again, I would buy a Precision Matthews mill with a square column but this one still serves me well for now.

 

[Canuck75]

I had a request to do a full review and overview of my Jet Mill Drill. Figured many on this forum may like it as well. I check the tram on the head, tram a vise and I also cover some basic milling operations during the review. Discuss round column vs. Square column. My issue with the feed levers disengaging and my hack to fix it. I also demo how to program and drill a bolt circle with the Newall DP700 DRO. Overall this has been a good machine for me. If I had it to do over again, I would buy a Precision Matthews mill with a square column but this one still serves me well for now.

I have King PDM30 mill/drill with the same belt setup. To make speed changes easier I put flat plus lock washers on the cap screws that hold the centre pulley bracket and snugged them up so that the bracket can move. Now when you release the motor clamp both belts are relaxed and retighten when the motor is retightened. Also put a over-centre quick release on the motor which makes speed changes even faster.
Just a suggestion.
Great video!

 

[BladesIIB]

I have King PDM30 mill/drill with the same belt setup. To make speed changes easier I put flat plus lock washers on the cap screws that hold the centre pulley bracket and snugged them up so that the bracket can move. Now when you release the motor clamp both belts are relaxed and retighten when the motor is retightened. Also put a over-centre quick release on the motor which makes speed changes even faster.
Just a suggestion.
Great video!

Great tips, thank you. Had someone else share they put a magnet on the cover to keep it up during changes as well. Sounds like I have a few upgrades in store. Glad you liked the video.

 

[Canuck75]

Great tips, thank you. Had someone else share they put a magnet on the cover to keep it up during changes as well. Sounds like I have a few upgrades in store. Glad you liked the video.

You have highlighted many of the pain-in-the-butt issues with these small round column bench mills, but to give this type of machine it's due, many can be overcome.
Regards belt changes: I removed the top cover and replaced it with a small front guard, I'm the only one in the shop so there are no safety issues but much faster speed changes and easier access to the drawbar resulted.
Was also surprised that without a tramming Jet didn't do a better job of quality control - good of you to call it like it is with all the shortcomings!
A few pics of mine.

Thanks again.

 

[BladesIIB]

You have highlighted many of the pain-in-the-butt issues with these small round column bench mills, but to give this type of machine it's due, many can be overcome.
Regards belt changes: I removed the top cover and replaced it with a small front guard, I'm the only one in the shop so there are no safety issues but much faster speed changes and easier access to the drawbar resulted.
Was also surprised that without a tramming Jet didn't do a better job of quality control - good of you to call it like it is with all the shortcomings!
A few pics of mine.

Thanks again.

Nice pics! I do like my top cover to keep some dust and crud out since my shop is tiny and I do a lot of grinding. That motor tensioner looks great! Really nice job with that! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Manual Mac]

Blades, I enjoyed the video. Thanks.
when changing head height I always leave the crank handle at the top to act as a stop for the blade cover, so it doesn’t flop down & foul the light, etc, etc.
doesn’t make much difference, may not work for everyone.
i also leave the center pulley lock screws just snug, so can adjust all 3 pulleys at same time. Works for me.
also put a spring in center of the spindle lock mechanism so the handle will stay up & out of the way. I got that hint from the Lazy Machinist, he called it Viagra for the lever, or some such.
these round column mills are a little harder to use, i know i used a Bridgeport copy (Sharp 10x50) for years at work, but I’m not in a hurry anymore since I retired, & I actually enjoy running it.
Cheers

 

[BladesIIB]

Blades, I enjoyed the video. Thanks.
when changing head height I always leave the crank handle at the top to act as a stop for the blade cover, so it doesn’t flop down & foul the light, etc, etc.
doesn’t make much difference, may not work for everyone.
i also leave the center pulley lock screws just snug, so can adjust all 3 pulleys at same time. Works for me.
also put a spring in center of the spindle lock mechanism so the handle will stay up & out of the way. I got that hint from the Lazy Machinist, he called it Viagra for the lever, or some such.
these round column mills are a little harder to use, i know i used a Bridgeport copy (Sharp 10x50) for years at work, but I’m not in a hurry anymore since I retired, & I actually enjoy running it.
Cheers

Thanks for the pic and additional tips. My column is so tall I am rarely at the top where my cover will go over, but your fix with the crank handle is great. May have to add the spring to the spindle lock to my list of upgrades.

 

[Canuck75]

Nice pics! I do like my top cover to keep some dust and crud out since my shop is tiny and I do a lot of grinding. That motor tensioner looks great! Really nice job with that! Thanks for sharing.

Yes, every owner will have a good reason for how his machine is setup, so I now understand why you keep the top cover.
After installing a DRO I mounted a drum control switch (vice the front buttons) out to the side. The control arm was mounted horizontal to the left - that lasted until the moment my hand accidentally hit the lever on the way down from re-tightening the drawbar - scared the wits out of me when the mill started up! It is now mounted straight down and no further incidents.
I got the mill in 2008 and have been modding it ever since. DRO, Z backlash, table nuts, fixed X movement, single handle quill lever, gib movement locks, 3 full extension drawers in the stand and the quick belt tension release covers most of them. It goes part way to making a silk purse out of a sows ear but when space and budget are limiting factors these small round column mills are extremely sturdy and capable.
Envy you the power down feed and X power feed but "strong-arm power" is part of my exercise, or so I tell myself (smile)
You mentioned the height of the column on the Jet and it did look very tall in the video. Can you tell me what that measurement is?

Thanks

 

[Manual Mac]

Blades, I think we both have the same re-badged RF30-31 machines. Although I don’t have power down.
i’m setting up using a 6” rotary table for an angle plate for drilling, I may remove it and use an angle plate, (long story).
Canuck75, my column measures appx. 26” from the chrome ring to top of the column.

 

[BladesIIB]

Yes, every owner will have a good reason for how his machine is setup, so I now understand why you keep the top cover.
After installing a DRO I mounted a drum control switch (vice the front buttons) out to the side. The control arm was mounted horizontal to the left - that lasted until the moment my hand accidentally hit the lever on the way down from re-tightening the drawbar - scared the wits out of me when the mill started up! It is now mounted straight down and no further incidents.
I got the mill in 2008 and have been modding it ever since. DRO, Z backlash, table nuts, fixed X movement, single handle quill lever, gib movement locks, 3 full extension drawers in the stand and the quick belt tension release covers most of them. It goes part way to making a silk purse out of a sows ear but when space and budget are limiting factors these small round column mills are extremely sturdy and capable.
Envy you the power down feed and X power feed but "strong-arm power" is part of my exercise, or so I tell myself (smile)
You mentioned the height of the column on the Jet and it did look very tall in the video. Can you tell me what that measurement is?

Thanks

And honestly don’t use the power down feed as much as I thought I would. Mostly when using the boring head. As for height, mine is 36” from the chrome ring to the top of the column. Definitely seems a little taller than some others.