Feedback on selecting a milling machine

[Aaron_W]

Ah I see it looks like you are going for it. If you can fit it, that Wells looks like quite a nice mill.

Still I would give the Clausing more consideration unless there are actual issues with it. Not sure why the hate on Reeves drives, sure they are kind of noisy but they are fairly simple devices so not a lot to go wrong. It's not like some of the older highly complex electrical variable speed controls that require a vintage electrical engineer to fix.

 

[wachuko]

Did you put a deposit yet?

After I am done with this call. But text messaging seller with confirmation. He is okay holding them while I sort this out…

 

[wachuko]

Ah I see it looks like you are going for it. If you can fit it, that Wells looks like quite a nice mill.

Still I would give the Clausing more consideration unless there are actual issues with it. Not sure why the hate on Reeves drives, sure they are kind of noisy but they are fairly simple devices so not a lot to go wrong. It's not like some of the older highly complex electrical variable speed controls that require a vintage electrical engineer to fix.

Only reason I did not ask anymore about it was due to his comment that I might not be able to make it work with the power that I have at home...

 

[davidpbest]

Not sure why the hate on Reeves drives, sure they are kind of noisy but they are fairly simple devices so not a lot to go wrong.

No one said "hate" about the Reeves drive - all I said was that I wouldn't want one in my shop and I stand by that. Personal preference for VFD over mechanical systems for speed control. I also prefer a spreadsheet to an abacus.

 

[rabler]

Time to change your signature

 

[wachuko]

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.

It is huge!!! Would be cool to have the table so I do not have to remove and re-index the vise when wanting to do/use something else!

But the footprint of this sucker is massive!

 

[rabler]

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...

If it is a machine shop, they should have a fork lift and be willing to use that. Just run a suitable strap through the cross webbing in the casting and lift from above.

 

[Aaron_W]

Only reason I did not ask anymore about it was due to his comment that I might not be able to make it work with the power that I have at home...

I don't think there would be any issue using a VFD, it just makes the VFD for speed control redundant. Certainly no reason it wouldn't work with a RPC which may be a better option if the mill is also 3 phase.

No one said "hate" about the Reeves drive - all I said was that I wouldn't want one in my shop and I stand by that. Personal preference for VFD over mechanical systems for speed control. I also prefer a spreadsheet to an abacus.

I didn't single you out, there are a number of rather negative comments towards variable speed. I get that there are preferences, and VFD is desirable, but personally I'd think a Clausing with a Reeves drive beats a Grizzly with a VFD.

 

[wachuko]

If it is a machine shop, they should have a fork lift and be willing to use that. Just run a suitable strap through the cross webbing in the casting and lift from above.

It is a machine shop... he just moved here from a smaller place... and there is a small pallet lift or forklift... did not really pay attention to it... but he is telling me that he can help load it to the trailer... that the milling machine he can load from the back but that he might not be able to do the same with the lathe... and the reason he was suggesting a trailer with no rails for that one... might be that the forklift does not go that high...

We will figure it out...

 

[Aukai]

Make sure the trailer has solid attachment points, and use the big size ratchet straps for hold downs. I'm sure you were going to, but I just had to get the thought out of my mind.