Feedback on selecting a milling machine

[davidpbest]

Well, you got my vote. I came very close to spending $19K for a rebuilt Wells-Index 847 couple of years ago. They are still in business and making new and rebuilding older machines. Talk to them if you have any specific questions. The Servo power feeds are great units -about $800 each new. This video would be worth watching about power feeders.

Wells-Index Milling Machines

www.wells-index.com

When I saw that Grizzly lathe, my first reaction was that it has probably been worked to death and the ways worn etc. But with those low hours, that could be an excellent choice.

Keep us posted on what you decide.

 

[davidpbest]

If you get that Grizzly lathe, a small rotary phase converter might be your best choice to power it. American Rotary would be good people to talk to. You could power the Wells mill that way too to get started, and add a VFD later for variable speed if you feel the need. Place the machines where they fit and belong in your work space, and bring power to them, not the other way around.

 

[wachuko]

If you get that Grizzly lathe, a small rotary phase converter might be your best choice to power it. American Rotary would be good people to talk to. You could power the wells that way too o get started, and add a VFD layer for variable speed if you feel the need. Place the machines where they fit and belong in your work space, and bring power to them, not the other way around.

The Grizzly is single phase... all good there. I asked for 220V outlets in the garage... a couple of them. And also additional 110V 20 amps outlets.

This is the side of the garage where the machines will be located... I have two (circle red) 220V outlets there.

What it looks like now... so all that carp has to go to accommodate the machines... The table saw, table, miter saw... all those go back to my friend. I was borrowing that when I was doing the shed...

 

[davidpbest]

Well, then you're all set with the Lathe. Easy enough to run some surface conduit to put the wiring where you need it. You didn't say what the HP was on the mill, but a 220 single-phase to 3-phase VFD is how I power my mill. Lots of choices there. Assuming it's 3HP, here's one idea - this is the larger HP version of the one I have. You can buy a remote control panel for it and bolt that to the side of the head for start/stop/speed control convenience. There are many other choices as well.

 

[mattthemuppet2]

I'd look into the Clausing a bit more, they're really nice machines, though the Reeves drive can be a bit finickity from what I've read.

 

[matthewsx]

Pull the trigger on this deal

$8k

do it

 

[wachuko]

Pull the trigger on this deal

$8k

do it

I just called to cancel the PM1236 and sent an email to start processing the refund. Now looking at renting a drop bed trailer for the mill... but for the lathe looks like I need something with no rails for easy loading at the site...

But yeah... looks like I will be pulling the trigger on these two...

 

[Aukai]

Did you put a deposit yet?

 

[davidpbest]

I just called to cancel the PM1236 and sent an email to start processing the refund. Now looking at renting a drop bed trailer for the mill... but for the lathe looks like I need something with no rails for easy loading at the site...

But yeah... looks like I will be pulling the trigger on these two...

Sorry, the link to the VFD wasn't in my post. Here it is: https://www.driveswarehouse.com/wj200-022sf

I'm jealous you're getting the Wells-Index mill - the head on that machine is far superior to the J-head on a Bridgeport.

 

[Aaron_W]

I am just still in shock of how massive these machines are! . If I get them now... I am going to have to get rid of a car or find a friend with an empty garage to store one... I can't place the milling machine in a corner because the only corner close to the 220V outlets, has the water filter... I do not think I want any machine near the water filter, lol.


3-phase, variable speed lathe... He mentioned that because of the variable speed, not a good candidate to try and install a VFD... so I did not take additional photos nor asked any more questions... so I did not get the model number for that one, sorry...

That Wells looks like a fair bit more mill than a Bridgeport. If you don't get it keep in mind than table size is an option for most mills in the BP class, 30-36" on the small end to 50"+ on the large end. The table is a major dimension for a mill, so should not be a secondary consideration.


I wouldn't dismiss the Clausing over the variable speed, that is potentially a very nice lathe. If you get both a mill and lathe that are 3 phase a rotary phase convertor becomes a more useful option.