New guy - Grizzly G0704 questions

[hedgetank]

I'm new to the forum and am getting back into machining after 20 years. I picked up a Grizzly G0704 which has been awesome (and i'm glad i'm not as rusty at things as I thought!), but I have a couple of questions.

First and foremost, the stand that it sits on is nice, but I find that the Y-axis wheel sits in such a way that it's behind the lip/edge of the base and depending on table position and what vise i'm using, is difficult to get to. has anyone else had this issue? If so, how did you solve it? I thought about either trying to move the mill on the stand so it's further towards the front, but I'm not sure I can do that with the way the pan is made. Assuming that I can't do that, is there a relatively easy way to simply extend the wheel out by about 4-5" towards me so it's in a better position?

The next question I have is, the mill itself is great, but the table is a little cramped. Is it possible to get a larger table to use with it? Mainly, the issue isn't so much the amount of travel, that's perfect. It's the overall width of the table front to back with only, what, 4-5 t-slot channels in it so being able to mount vises and such is a little tricky. I suppose I could make a fixturing plate that could affix to the table to give myself more room, but was curious as to whether it might be viable to simply upgrade the table.

Thanks guys, and please don't treat me too harshly.

On the plus side, I did whip up a pneumatic drawbar tool for it that came out awesome.

 

[RJSakowski]

I have an RF30 clone.Here is what I did to extend the crank on my x axis to give me additional travel.
https://www.hobby-machinist.com/thr...-for-some-additional-ideas.98961/#post-936802 post#7.

 

[hedgetank]

That looks interesting, can you provide some more details? It's tough to tell from the one picture what exactly you did.

Thanks!

 

[markba633csi]

Seems like just raising the machine on blocks of wood might be the easy solution?

 

[hedgetank]

Raising it up is possible, but that doesn't really get me much in the way of having the Y-axis handle protrude further out for easier access.

 

[markba633csi]

Ah, I see- the vise hangs over. Well, you could move the vise left or right- It doesn't need to be dead center

 

[hedgetank]

Yeah, I've thought about that, but unfortunately that doesn't help when I'm cutting and using the vice since the vice will then overhang in the center with the table moved into position.

I think what I need to do is either get a smaller vise, or find a better way of mounting the vice to the table that lets me mount it in a different position, though I'd still like to be able to extend the Y axis handle out further so it's easier to reach.

 

[vtcnc]

I'm new to the forum and am getting back into machining after 20 years. I picked up a Grizzly G0704 which has been awesome (and i'm glad i'm not as rusty at things as I thought!), but I have a couple of questions.

First and foremost, the stand that it sits on is nice, but I find that the Y-axis wheel sits in such a way that it's behind the lip/edge of the base and depending on table position and what vise i'm using, is difficult to get to. has anyone else had this issue? If so, how did you solve it? I thought about either trying to move the mill on the stand so it's further towards the front, but I'm not sure I can do that with the way the pan is made. Assuming that I can't do that, is there a relatively easy way to simply extend the wheel out by about 4-5" towards me so it's in a better position?

The next question I have is, the mill itself is great, but the table is a little cramped. Is it possible to get a larger table to use with it? Mainly, the issue isn't so much the amount of travel, that's perfect. It's the overall width of the table front to back with only, what, 4-5 t-slot channels in it so being able to mount vises and such is a little tricky. I suppose I could make a fixturing plate that could affix to the table to give myself more room, but was curious as to whether it might be viable to simply upgrade the table.

Thanks guys, and please don't treat me too harshly.

On the plus side, I did whip up a pneumatic drawbar tool for it that came out awesome.

Welcome to Hobby Machinist! You are in good company here and thanks for joining the membership with your lifetime donation. There are lots of other hobbyist and even many professional machinists here who have been in your shoes. You are bound to get some helpful and friendly advice. From what I've read so far, you are off to a great start.

 

[hedgetank]

Welcome to Hobby Machinist! You are in good company here and thanks for joining the membership with your lifetime donation. There are lots of other hobbyist and even many professional machinists here who have been in your shoes. You are bound to get some helpful and friendly advice. From what I've read so far, you are off to a great start.

I'm intrigued by the extended handle from post #2, and it seems like it would be the best, I'm just contemplating how best to make one since i'm currently lacking a lathe.