Which NEW mill should I buy?

[HMF]

A friend is looking to buy a new mill and is considering a few new milling machines, among them the Grizzly G0463/Sieg X3, Rong Fu, and Precision Matthews PM-45M. He has enough space for a Bridgeport clone. He is using it for non-production, home shop use on brass, aluminum and steels no more than two feet in length.

Which mill/mills would you recommend and, more importantly, why?

Thanks,

Nelson

 

[Bobby Bailey]

Nelson, I have one of the Precision Matthews PM-45M mills with the power downfeed and power feed on the X axis. It was biggest I could fit in my shop. I looked at some of the smaller ones to save space but, in the end decided bigger/heavier was better. I have been pleased with it and the after sale service of Matt at Quality Machines.
Bobby

 

[Frank Ford]

The only mills I've used have been older Bridgeports and clones, none of which were particularly well adjusted, so I guess I'd say my experience is limited at best. That said, I bought a new Sharp LMV, and it's been a great tool to use - tight, solid, reliable. One feature I found compelling was the built in variable speed with rotary phase converter - just plug into 220V and go. I don't know about other brands, but my Sharp was made in Taiwan, and I presume that's generally a good thing.

 

[Amigo]

Since he has room for a Bridgeport or its clone, that's what I'd tell him to fill it with. Maybe 9 x 42" table, variable speed, hard chrome ways, one-shot lube, way covers and factory installed DRO option. Also include a set of R8's in 1/16's.