PM-833T

[DaveV]

Been looking at the PM-833T and reading what others are saying about them. It sounds like most think that the Z axis motor is a required or highly recommended upgrade. Just wondering is cranking the head really that much more difficult than cranking the knee on a knew mill? Asking because I've never used anything other than a knee mill.

Assuming that the Z axis motor is a "must have" option, how was the installation process?

 

[7milesup]

Well, I have never run a knee mill so can't say what the difference would be but I will say that cranking the Z up is a PITA. I would add a power Z axis but I plan on converting my mill to CNC so don't want to spend the money on one. Not much help I know.

Also, since you are in Ely, did you see that there is a school auction going on right now in Ely. Might find something useful there. It is a long ways north for most of us so you could get some deals... Ely High School Auction

 

[Bob Korves]

I used to fly sailplanes out of Ely, Nevada. Incredibly great soaring, but not much else going on out there... Interesting auction, some good stuff.

 

[DaveV]

7milesup,

Thanks for the heads-up on the auction. I didn't know they were currently selling anything off, so worth a look. The one mill they have is too big for my shop. No way I could get it in without some major renovation.

Bob,

The sailplanes sound interesting and fun. Long way from Ely, MN though. The planes up here tend toward floatplanes more than sailplanes

 

[wrmiller]

I like the PF on the 833 because I like to put my DRO's Z-axis on the head, not the quill. The way it is on the 833 head is like a normal PF on a X or Y axis. I can use it for quick elevation changes for cutters and collets, and can still use the manual handle for dialing in a number for milling operations.

I know the 940 has a powered Z-axis option(?) but the motor is mounted up top and directly on the screw. Not sure manual operations are possible with that setup?

 

[Buffalo21]

I’m getting old, a put knee lifts on the Jet and Franken-Mill, moving the knee up or down, .020” - .060” by hand is one thing, moving 3” - 4”, is something totally different.

 

[ats1911]

I know the 940 has a powered Z-axis option(?) but the motor is mounted up top and directly on the screw. Not sure manual operations are possible with that setup?

Assuming it’s similar to the 932, yes you can still use the handle for fine adjust, but I wouldn’t want to leave the handle on.

The knee crank on the one mill I’ve used was pretty convenient, up front, which is the only place I’ve ever seen it. On the 932 it’s behind the table and easier to walk around behind the machine to operate. I would not want to run this machine without power Z....

 

[Praeger]

Been looking at the PM-833T and reading what others are saying about them. It sounds like most think that the Z axis motor is a required or highly recommended upgrade. Just wondering is cranking the head really that much more difficult than cranking the knee on a knew mill? Asking because I've never used anything other than a knee mill.

Assuming that the Z axis motor is a "must have" option, how was the installation process?

I ordered my 833T with the Align power feeds for X and Z axis. I did drag my feet installing them so I can weigh in on their value. While not an absolute necessity, raising and lower the Z can be a workout. Enough that I sometimes found myself moving work out of the way using the X axis rather than raising the head. Installation is easy, the instructions could be better, but I figured it out.

So, unless your goal is a grossly overdeveloped right arm - go for the power feed.

 

[DaveV]

Praeger and ATS1911,

Thank you for sharing your experience. I had thought the hand crank for the Z was on the side, but I guess in reality it is on the side and toward the back which would make it more difficult to use than cranking the knee.

Glad to hear installation is not bad. I looked at the installation instructions in the pdf copy of the manual and thought the process described was confusing . The X drive seemed really straight forward, but I was uncertain about the Z drive.

Given your feedback sounds like I should budget for adding a Z drive.

Thanks.