New member would like some milling machine advice.

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ad701xx

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Hello everyone. I just stumbled across this site and would like some advice from any PM-728VT or similar size machine owners if you would be so kind.

I'm planning to replace a combination lathe and milling machine that I've owned for almost 30 years, beginning with a new bench top milling machine.

I started out thinking I was going to get a small LMS milling machine but over the past month I think I have settled on a PM-728VT. It's realistically the largest one that will fit in the limited space in the garage in my current house. I'm pretty much at the analysis paralysis stage right now but this is what I think I will be ordering from Precision Mathews:

PM-728VT w/MX 200 DRO
X-axis power feed
11 piece Ultra Precision R8 Collett Set
0-1/2" Ultra Precision Keyless Chuck

So my questions are:

1. My friend put DROs on his big Bridgeport and I definitely want them on my next machine. Would you recommend getting them pre-installed on the machine or is adding them separately the way to go?

2. Right now all my tooling is MT3 so I figured I would start out with an R8 collet set. Is it worth it for a home hobby machinist to get the ultra precision set from PM or is there a better way to get the most bang for my buck.

3. Does anyone have any experience with the 0-1/2" Ultra Precision Keyless Chuck that PM offers? Is it a good one?

Thanks in advance.

Dave
 
Almost every thing that PM offers is leading the field in bang for the buck and service after the sale.
if it were me i would talk to PM about only installing the scales and then get a touch DRO, but that is just me.
as to ultra precision vs high precision what kind of work do you do? IMO the high precision is good for most of what I do but extra precision will not make your parts worse.
you will want a Z axis power feed on that also.
I would say that you need to take a long look at what kinds of projects you want to do and make sure the PM728VT covers your future wants because you are going to spend as much on accessories as the mill, it is easy to sell a mill but where you lose money/time is all the extras.
on the other hand building up a mill is entertaining in itself (for me anyway).
IMO the R8 is the way to go. look into the Tormach quick change tooling system for R8.
the chuck is less important because you should only be running drills in a chuck and drills are not that precise to begin with.
 
Hi Dave, Welcome to HM.

I don't have specific experience with those machines but a DRO and X axis feed are a must in MHO, after many years without. dabear3428's suggestion of going with Touch DRO for the readout sounds like a good idea. That readout has way more features than any DRO remotely in that price range. I'm sure PM does a decent job installing the scales, at least I don't remember anyone complaining.

I would probably go with the more precision collets & chuck as in this hobby, you never know what you might need/want to accomplish in the future.

Good luck with the delivery and set up and don't forget to post pictures!
 
dabear3428 said:
Almost every thing that PM offers is leading the field in bang for the buck and service after the sale.
if it were me i would talk to PM about only installing the scales and then get a touch DRO, but that is just me.
as to ultra precision vs high precision what kind of work do you do? IMO the high precision is good for most of what I do but extra precision will not make your parts worse.
you will want a Z axis power feed on that also.
I would say that you need to take a long look at what kinds of projects you want to do and make sure the PM728VT covers your future wants because you are going to spend as much on accessories as the mill, it is easy to sell a mill but where you lose money/time is all the extras.
on the other hand building up a mill is entertaining in itself (for me anyway).
IMO the R8 is the way to go. look into the Tormach quick change tooling system for R8.
the chuck is less important because you should only be running drills in a chuck and drills are not that precise to begin with.
Click to expand...
Thanks dabear.

I think the PM728VT will be enough for me in the near future. I retired 2 months ago and plan to move out of state eventually but I need to stay put while I'm taking care of my elderly parents. I plan to get a heavier mill and lathe after I move.

Z axis feed is definitely on the to do list.

I checked out the TouchDRO forum and am intrigued.
 
ad701xx said:
Thanks dabear.

I think the PM728VT will be enough for me in the near future. I retired 2 months ago and plan to move out of state eventually but I need to stay put while I'm taking care of my elderly parents. I plan to get a heavier mill and lathe after I move.

Z axis feed is definitely on the to do list.

I checked out the TouchDRO forum and am intrigued.
Click to expand...
sounds like you have a sound plan, Good luck, and welcome to HM, and yes this is the place for beginners, unlike some other forums.
when you get a chance sign up to be a supporting member, it does not cost much and is worth it.
a light mill is good and if you learn to do something on a light mill you will be able to do it on a heavier mill with ease.
 
Eddyde said:
Hi Dave, Welcome to HM.

I don't have specific experience with those machines but a DRO and X axis feed are a must in MHO, after many years without. dabear3428's suggestion of going with Touch DRO for the readout sounds like a good idea. That readout has way more features than any DRO remotely in that price range. I'm sure PM does a decent job installing the scales, at least I don't remember anyone complaining.

I would probably go with the more precision collets & chuck as in this hobby, you never know what you might need/want to accomplish in the future.

Good luck with the delivery and set up and don't forget to post pictures!
Click to expand...
Thanks Eddyde.

A friend of mine added DROs to his big Bridgeport many years ago and I am sold on them after playing with his.

Yeah, I figure collets are a lifetime investment. I'm already cover for MT3 so it makes sense to go for the higher precision R8s.
 
Do you have a good vise? and work holding?
 
I bought a 728VT back in April, 2024 and have been pleased so far. I should probably have bought a bigger machine but that's all part of the fun. The DRO that PM installed has worked fine for me but I am still getting my feet wet.
I also bought the R8 collet set, the high precision vise and the hold down kit. Everything has worked fine, the biggest irritation is the hold down kit comes in a blow molded case that is a PITA to use, in that it has to open up and lay flat on the bench to get something and it takes a lot of space to do so. I took everything out and threw it in a box that I dig through now....LOL.
I mounted the mill to my bench, cleaned it and did the break in run, put the vise on and squared it up and have been using it ever since. Don't tell anyone but I have yet to check and tram the head.
The next thing I am going to do, is add ball valves to the way lube system since it leaks all over the place, and by a powered Z axis kit because cranking the head up and down gets old after awhile.

I have spent a bit of money on stuff like end mills, drill bits, face mills, way oil, etc. The machine itself will end up being the cheap part.
 
tominboise said:
I bought a 728VT back in April, 2024 and have been pleased so far. I should probably have bought a bigger machine but that's all part of the fun. The DRO that PM installed has worked fine for me but I am still getting my feet wet.
I also bought the R8 collet set, the high precision vise and the hold down kit. Everything has worked fine, the biggest irritation is the hold down kit comes in a blow molded case that is a PITA to use, in that it has to open up and lay flat on the bench to get something and it takes a lot of space to do so. I took everything out and threw it in a box that I dig through now....LOL.
I mounted the mill to my bench, cleaned it and did the break in run, put the vise on and squared it up and have been using it ever since. Don't tell anyone but I have yet to check and tram the head.
The next thing I am going to do, is add ball valves to the way lube system since it leaks all over the place, and by a powered Z axis kit because cranking the head up and down gets old after awhile.

I have spent a bit of money on stuff like end mills, drill bits, face mills, way oil, etc. The machine itself will end up being the cheap part.
Click to expand...
i like the hold down kits that come in a wall mount holder myself
 
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