Looking for my perfect size hobby mill....

verbotenwhisky said:
Let me suggest that you go watch Blodihacks on youtube, she uses the smaller PM mill and lathe and does a good job of highlighting the limits of those machines. They are not bad machines, very far from it, but due to their work envelope and a DC motors limitations on low end torque will limit your project size and materials to some degree.
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I've watched a few Blodihacks videos and the Die Filer video where she uses the 728T for some operations on the body and pretty much maxed out her lathe turning the body which was somewhat iffy... But in the end she did well. To bad they don't have a gear head version of the 728T for a little better low end torque.

Interestingly Adam Savage has a video about that Die Filer too.

I have time to figure this all out.

Thanks for the Input, Mike.
 
Mr Mike said:
I've watched a few Blodihacks videos and the Die Filer video where she uses the 728T for some operations on the body and pretty much maxed out her lathe turning the body which was somewhat iffy... But in the end she did well. To bad they don't have a gear head version of the 728T for a little better low end torque.

Interestingly Adam Savage has a video about that Die Filer too.

I have time to figure this all out.

Thanks for the Input, Mike.
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Hey Mike,

I originally wanted the PM940M which is the gear head; but I wound up with the PM940V. I am not certain if the PM728T is an AC motor or a DC but in the larger mills such as the PM940 the difference is the V has a 3 Phase VFD supplied (phase conversion from single phase) and controlled AC motor and it has torque from the start to the end of its power band, I am very pleased with the V and I know there are some folks on here who have had issues with the M version. I used my 3" diameter face mill last night for a 2" wide cut through a piece of 6061 T3 cut depth of .250" and it didn't even slow down or grunt. I have used the same mill with the appropriate inserts to face A36 plate full 3" diameter cut .060" deep cut without any issues also, the machine sails through it no problem.
 
verbotenwhisky said:
Hey Mike,

I originally wanted the PM940M which is the gear head; but I wound up with the PM940V. I am not certain if the PM728T is an AC motor or a DC but in the larger mills such as the PM940 the difference is the V has a 3 Phase VFD supplied (phase conversion from single phase) and controlled AC motor and it has torque from the start to the end of its power band, I am very pleased with the V and I know there are some folks on here who have had issues with the M version. I used my 3" diameter face mill last night for a 2" wide cut through a piece of 6061 T3 cut depth of .250" and it didn't even slow down or grunt. I have used the same mill with the appropriate inserts to face A36 plate full 3" diameter cut .060" deep cut without any issues also, the machine sails through it no problem.
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I watched a couple videos and I checked out your mill with the power down feed, definitely a nice machine. Ill keep an open mind down the road as I continue my search and I am ready to get one.

For now I am going to put this thread to sleep and bury it till I'm back at it...

Thanks, Mike.
 
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davidpbest said:
This is not allowed. LOL
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lol...
Time to wake this thread Back up...

verbotenwhisky said:
Hey Mike,

I originally wanted the PM940M which is the gear head; but I wound up with the PM940V. I am not certain if the PM728T is an AC motor or a DC but in the larger mills such as the PM940 the difference is the V has a 3 Phase VFD supplied (phase conversion from single phase) and controlled AC motor and it has torque from the start to the end of its power band, I am very pleased with the V and I know there are some folks on here who have had issues with the M version. I used my 3" diameter face mill last night for a 2" wide cut through a piece of 6061 T3 cut depth of .250" and it didn't even slow down or grunt. I have used the same mill with the appropriate inserts to face A36 plate full 3" diameter cut .060" deep cut without any issues also, the machine sails through it no problem.
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Hello, I believe you may have my answer, I woke this thread back up because I'm ready to bite the bullet on a Mill... other then the bolt shear issue on your PM940 You indicate that you really like your Machine, So I think I have my choices narrowed down to a Grizzly G0759 7x27, PM-728tv, or the PM-932M..

I honestly don't know how much use I will get out of a mill, but Its kind of inspiring that you really like your PM940..

I was really looking hard at the Grizzly G0759 7x27 because it comes with a stand and DRO, but its some what limited with the its quill travel... then I ponder the PM728 with 1" more travel but at a much higher price no stand or DRO, and some issues I have read about the machine, then I got thinking about the PM932M...

Here is what I'm thinking, see if it makes sense to you ?
The PM-932M has a lot more capability than the other two choices and lower base price so if I find I am using the mill more it lets me grow into it by adding missing features down the road, and I like that you are really happy your PM940, and since I already have another PM machine It would make sense to stay with the same dealer...

What do you think, is this decent logic for my situation... I believe this size would be complimentary to my PM-1236T as well.

Thanks for your help...
 
Just for reference, I started with a Grizzly G0755, and used it for several years, some of the Chinesey things started showing up, so I now have an ACRA 9x50 knee mill. To buy once go as big as you can afford, and have room for.
 
Mr Mike said:
lol...
Time to wake this thread Back up...


Hello, I believe you may have my answer, I woke this thread back up because I'm ready to bite the bullet on a Mill... other then the bolt shear issue on your PM940 You indicate that you really like your Machine, So I think I have my choices narrowed down to a Grizzly G0759 7x27, PM-728tv, or the PM-932M..

I honestly don't know how much use I will get out of a mill, but Its kind of inspiring that you really like your PM940..

I was really looking hard at the Grizzly G0759 7x27 because it comes with a stand and DRO, but its some what limited with the its quill travel... then I ponder the PM728 with 1" more travel but at a much higher price no stand or DRO, and some issues I have read about the machine, then I got thinking about the PM932M...

Here is what I'm thinking, see if it makes sense to you ?
The PM-932M has a lot more capability than the other two choices and lower base price so if I find I am using the mill more it lets me grow into it by adding missing features down the road, and I like that you are really happy your PM940, and since I already have another PM machine It would make sense to stay with the same dealer...

What do you think, is this decent logic for my situation... I believe this size would be complimentary to my PM-1236T as well.

Thanks for your help...
Click to expand...
Are you thinking of buying the Basic machine with the base? I think your logic is sound, If you can swing it you might consider the DRO; but, a lot of the guys here really like the Touch DRO so they get the base machine and install scales and that system and it seems to be a little more economical. I am still pleased with my machine, came close to getting the PM932 though.
 
I have a Clausing mill roughly the size of the 728. I really like my mill, and it has pretty much done everything I've asked of it, however if I could fit a larger mill into my shop, I wouldn't complain.

I think your logic on going with the 932 is sound.
 
Aukai said:
Just for reference, I started with a Grizzly G0755, and used it for several years, some of the Chinesey things started showing up, so I now have an ACRA 9x50 knee mill. To buy once go as big as you can afford, and have room for.
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Its less about cost and more about use, so my thinking at this point is... too small and I know I'm shooting my self in the foot, I'm trying to find a middle ground here or ill never get started with one... If I had the knowledge and knew the scope of work id like to use it for, most likely Id would get something more like the G0757 - 9" x 39" 2 HP Horizontal/Vertical Mill for making gears with.

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verbotenwhisky said:
Are you thinking of buying the Basic machine with the base? I think your logic is sound, If you can swing it you might consider the DRO; but, a lot of the guys here really like the Touch DRO so they get the base machine and install scales and that system and it seems to be a little more economical. I am still pleased with my machine, came close to getting the PM932 though.
Click to expand...
Yes exactly, machine and base..! then add the goodies if I can find enough use for it.
Thanks...
 
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